Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end. Luke 1:26-33
My words…
Father, my spirit rejoices during this Christmas season. No other event in the history of Your creation fills my heart with joy more than the arrival of my Savior on earth. The advent, intended from ancient times, disrupted the balance of heaven, for the Son left the presence of His Father to endure life as a baby, as a boy, as a man. Did Gabriel fall at Your feet in praise when he learned he would be the one to announce the Savior’s birth? Did the host of heaven remain silent as Gabriel shared his message with the young virgin of Nazareth? Did Mary know that this conversation would be remembered and recited for centuries to come? As soon as Gabriel stopped speaking, everything changed. The beautiful source of pure love, redemption, and grace began to grow in the womb of the one favored by You. The Son of God, part of the Holy Trinity, could only be brought forth from a virgin womb. The plan of salvation by the death of the Lamb is a perfect, virgin plan, never before conceived by any god or man. Jesus lived the only truly virgin life – One unspoiled by the dirt of sin. Then, at Jesus’ resurrection, the world was handed a free gift – the gift of a spotless, virgin life with You eternally. And it all began with an angel’s visit to an apprehensive young Galilean virgin. Hallelujah! Praise to the Father who endured separation from His Son. Praise to the Spirit who miraculously brought life from Mary’s womb. And Praise to the Son who humbled Himself and willingly left the glory of the heavenly realms to dwell on earth. Joy to the world! The Lord has come!
