Christmas Miracles: The Virgin Birth

Christmas Miracles:  The Virgin Birth    

 

Luke 1:26-39

 

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"* 

29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus . 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"

35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible."

38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

 

NKJV

Six months  after Elizabeth has conceived the miracle forerunner of the Christ, an angel appears also to Mary. Up to this point I cannot recall many, if  any, angel appearances to females.  His appearance and words troubled Mary's  heart but the angel offered great reassurance.   Verses 30-33 announce that Jesus will be the son of God, the promised Messiah, with an eternal kingdom.  But Mary is still stuck on point number 1, the virgin birth.  We often lose heart at the physical improbability, if not impossibility of  what we need from God.

I wonder how many times we fail to see what God is doing,  because we cannot see past our own limitations.  Mary is still thinking, there is no way I can have a baby!   Rather than,   "You are kidding?  I am going to birth Messiah??????"

God was more gracious with Mary than He was with Zechariah, who was struck mute by the angel for his unbelief..  He had more reason to believe and understand than she did.  Surely he had heard the story of Sarah, Rebecca and Hannah.  Miracles births to barren couples was not unheard of.  But a birth to a virgin?  There was no prerequisite for that!!! Nor any  sequel, I might add.  This is a one-time event.  The angel explained to her how that the child would be a miracle of the overshadowing God.  But he goes on to offer her real, tangible,  with-skin-on support and confirmation.  The angel also declares to her about the miracle birth of Elizabeth and her baby, John.  Why?   How?  "Because nothing is impossible with God!"  This gives Mary another human being to offer confirmation and support for the incredible destiny the Lord had for her.

So far, we have two extraordinary angelic appearances with two proclamations of miraculous birth.  We have the miracle of biology  when Elizabeth is found to be pregnant with John.  Then the miracle of the virgin birth.  Mary's response is a beautiful pattern for us today.  Verse 38:  "I am the Lord's  servant may it be to me as you have said."  Mary evidently was given a miracle gift of faith.  She was a woman of great submission, trust  and faith.

 

What are some  things the Lord has spoken to you?  In your heart?  In His Word?  Are you having trouble believing?  Let Mary's account stir you to believe beyond what you see  and to reverence the Lord's will.

Dear Lord, I believe.  But help me overcome my unbelief.  Remove the mixture from my heart.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.