THE BIRTH OF CHRIST JESUS WAS FORETOLD

PROCLAMATION

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David;  and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And the angel came in  unto her, and said, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favored, The Lord is with thee … Fear not …  thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus.  He shall be great, and shall be called The Son of The Highest.’ ...  Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’  And the angel answered, ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of The Highest shall overshadow thee.  Therefore also That Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called The Son of God.’ … And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of The Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ ”  Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.  Luke’s account of the birth of Christ had been passed down to him by those who were the eyewitnesses to the events, and by ministers of The Word of God. (Luke 1:1-4)  The angel Gabriel appeared to the virgin Mary and told her that The Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would conceive a child who would be The Son of God. (Luke 1:26-38)  While he was still in Elizabeth’s womb, John the baptizer recognized Jesus The Christ while He was still in Mary’s womb. (Luke 1:39-45)  Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where his earthly father Joseph had gone to be taxed.  He was placed in a manger upon His birth because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

 

APPLICATION

This is what came to pass, before and, with the birth of Christ. (Luke 2:11)  This is what we are commemorating as we celebrate Christmas.  For a more complete account of the events surrounding the birth of Christ, one must read Matthew 1:18 to 2:21, and Luke 1:26 to 2:40.  The holiday which we call Christmas is a holy day and it means so much more to us than what most of the world celebrates.  Let us, as believers, celebrate the real reason for Christmas and let's share the real story behind the celebration.  For God was, and is, and will always be with us.  All hail Immanuel!!!