The announcement came many years before His arrival. God, through Isaiah the old testament prophet, declared it. Isaiah 7: 14 states, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel (God with us)” (NIV). Many years later God made good on His promise and the world has never been the same.
The conception and birth of the Christ came about after a visit from an angel of the Lord. He appeared to a young girl named Mary, who was to be married to a man named Joseph. He announced to her that she would become pregnant with the Child of God. The angel explained that the Holy Spirit of God would overshadow her, and she would conceive. Luke 1:31-32 explains it this way, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (ESV). Of course, Mary was amazed and a little in shock, but made it clear that she was pleased to do the will of God. Joseph, on the other hand, was not so happy.
Joseph learning that Mary was pregnant decided to quietly renounce the engagement. Mathew 1:20-23 states, “But after he (Joseph) had considered this, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins” (NIV). As with Mary, Joseph was also pleased and determined to do the will of God. So, Mary became Joseph’s wife and the prophecy of old was starting to be revealed.
The book of Luke in the second chapter tells of how the ruler in Israel at the time called for a head count of all the Jewish people so taxes could be paid. All men had to return to their birthplace for the census. Luke 2:4-7 explains what happened when Joseph and His very pregnant wife Mary made the journey, “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them” (NIV). The Savior of the world, God’s Son born in a barn and laid in a manger or feeding trough in the small town of Bethlehem. More prophecy fulfilled! Micah 5:2 lays it out, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (NIV). The hope of the world, Jesus the Christ, born in such a humble way. But in the fields outside of town, a celebration was taking place.
Luke 2 tells of some shepherds that were caring for sheep just outside of town the night Jesus was born. Verse 9 states, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people” (NIV). The Good News was that the long-awaited Messiah had been born in nearby Bethlehem! In Luke 2:10 the Angel stated, “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (NIV). With this proclamation, the great celebration began. Luke 2:13-14 explains, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (NIV). I can just imagine what the shepherds were feeling, Joy, amazement, and terror at the same time! After the angels had left, and they had caught their breath, they decided to go find the Christ child and see Him with their own eyes (Luke 2:15, NIV).
The shepherds did find the child along with His mother Mary and earthly father Joseph. As the angel had explained, the Messiah was lying in a manger. Luke 2: 17-18 states, “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (NIV). I can just hear the shepherds saying, “Come and see what God has done! The Messiah, the King of the world has been born!! Luke 2: 20 states that the shepherds returned to their sheep, “Glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (NIV). What a night! The mighty God of Heaven and Earth had allowed His Son to be born, as promised, to be our Savior. No better gift has ever been given.
So now I am proclaiming, “Come and See what God has done!” He gave his son to become a sacrifice for us because the price of our sins is just too much for us to ever pay. Please think about making Jesus, the promised Messiah, your Lord, and Savior. You will never receive a better gift than God’s Love made Human.
Please Listen to this Amazing Video by Lauren Daigle
Your Sister in Christ,
Jacque Barnes
