Embrace His Virgin Birth
The Promise

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:32-38

Key Verse:  Luke 1:31

You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

It is hard to imagine what emotions and thoughts were going through Mary’s mind when Gabriel told her the message.  The message fulfilled a promise that God made hundreds of years earlier.  Isaiah, the Old Testament Prophet, was one of many who wrote of this promise: “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).  I’m sure the prophet was amazed by the thoughts being revealed to him, even as he wrote them.

            The Jewish people, which Mary was, had spoken of the “promise” for generations.  They did not fully understand God’s promise.  Most assumed it would be reduced down to a military leader.  They would hope that the promise was “all about them” in their particular moment in history.  They could not imagine the promise being so great as to affect the entire world in all future generations.  The Jews did not want to believe the promise would be not only for them but for everyone outside the Jewish faith as well.

            God had planned this moment with Mary from the moment His creation fell into sin.  God knew a Savior was needed and Jesus would be His name.  When Gabriel opened his mouth and spoke the promise, heaven thundered with anticipation—The Day of Grace had come!

Father, I take so much for granted.  I want to start every day with worship and praise for the promise that produced my redemption.  In Jesus’ name, amen.