Jesus's Birth Foretold

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
     and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
     and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected
by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not. —Isaiah 53:1-3

The account of the angel Gabriel visiting Mary is an important part of the Christmas narrative. According to the Gospel of Luke, Gabriel was sent by God to visit Mary, a virgin who was engaged to be married to Joseph of the house of David in Nazareth, a city in Galilee. Gabriel greeted Mary and told her that she had found favor with God and would give birth to a son named Jesus. Jesus would be great and be known as the Son of the Most High, and he would be given the throne of his father David and rule over the house of Jacob forever.

Mary was surprised by this and asked Gabriel how it could be possible for her to have a child since she was a virgin. Gabriel explained to Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her, causing the child to be born to be holy and be called the Son of God. Gabriel also told Mary that her relative Elizabeth, who was considered barren and in her old age, had also conceived a son, reassuring Mary that nothing is impossible for God.

Mary accepted this and declared that she was the servant of the Lord, willing to do as Gabriel had said. We should thank God for choosing her and giving her the role that she played in bringing Jesus into the world.

The name Jesus is significant and refreshing to humbled sinners, as it represents a savior. Mary's response to Gabriel shows her faith and humble admiration, and she did not ask for a sign to confirm her faith. The mystery of Jesus, God manifest in the flesh, was great and Mary accepted it according to the word of God. In all conflicts, we should remember that with God nothing is impossible and turn the promises of God into prayers, just as Mary did when she declared herself to be the willing servant of the Lord.

On this Christmas Eve, we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the salvation that he brings to the world. We give thanks to God for sending his son to be with us and for the hope and joy that Jesus brings to our lives. However, it is important to remember that Jesus' purpose was not only to be born as a baby in a manger, but to eventually die on the cross as a substitute for our sins and serve as a propitiation for our sins. Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the dead demonstrates to us God’s great mercy and the love that he has for us. We should stand in awe that he was willing to go to such great lengths to reconcile us to himself.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus on this special day, let us remember the sovereignty of God and the miraculous way in which he brought his son into the world. Mary's example of faith and humility is a demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power in turning our hearts toward him. May we ask God to do the same for us and let us remember that with God, nothing is impossible. Let us give thanks for the salvation that Jesus brings and the hope and joy that he brings to our lives.