Words verse 31-33 from New King James Version (NKJV)

Words verse 28 & 38 from The Message Translation (MSG)

Italics 'is' by author; orig

Goodmorning!

You're beautiful with God's beauty, beautiful inside and out! God be with you.

That's how the Message translation renders Luke 1:28 where Gabriel greets Mary.

Now tell me this isn't something you'd like to hear every day when you wake up? Or how you'd like to be welcomed at work, for that matter ;)

Well, the good news is, this IS what God says to you too, every day.

Let me explain..

First, you may know this verse as:

“Rejoice (or greetings!), highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (NKJV)

Now, the phrase "highly favoured" or "full of grace" was translated from the Greek word 'charitoó'. This word is only used twice in Scripture. Here and in Ephesians 1:6.

Keep that in mind..

You may recognize the word 'charis' in there, which means 'grace'.

Now, 'grace' is a funny word. It can mean many things. Like favor, but also beauty.

The @thebibleproject does a much better job of explaining this:

"Understanding God’s grace in the Bible starts with unpacking the Hebrew word for “grace,” khen (חֵן). In Hebrew, khen is (..) something we find ourselves drawn to, something elegant or charming or beautiful.

Anything that brings us delight could be called khen."

You see where I'm going with this?

God is full of grace.

And Mary was "full of grace" or beautiful with God's beauty. BUT, according to Ephesians 1:6, so are we, believers in Jesus!

Mary was also "blessed" and the Lord was with her, guess what? The same goes for us! (Just check Ephesians 1:3 and Matthew 28:20).

If this hasn't got you dancing on the kitchen table, I don't know what will!

So the next time when you wake up and you feel (or look) like something the cat just dragged in, say to yourself: "Goodmorning, you're beautiful with God's beauty!"

Better yet, make this song your ringtone or alarm clock! 👌😅❤️