The Miracle of Christmas: The Virgin Birth Announced (Luke 1:26-38)

Big Idea: Submit to God’s gracious plan for you.

1. Gabriel’s greeting leads to confusion (vs. 26-29)

a) 6th month- of Elizabeth’s pregnancy which Gabriel announced to Zacharias in the temple.

b) Gabriel was sent from God to the city (a walled in town) of Nazareth- somewhat insignificant town in Lower Galilee. Specifically he was sent to Mary, a virgin engaged/betrothed (lasting about a year). Girls were betrothed at 12-13. Guys a little older to establish a livelihood. Joseph was a descendant of David.

c) Gabriel entered the house and greeted Mary (seemingly alone), “favored one”- in some special sense God’s favor & blessing was on her, “The Lord is with you”- reminiscent of Gideon (Judges 6:12).

d) Mary was perplexed/confused over this greeting (more than Gabriel’s appearance) and began pondering/reasoning what he meant. Her humility is evident.

2. Gabriel’s explanation leads to uncertainty (vs. 30-34)

a) Gabriel charged her not to fear because she found favor with God. God’s grace comes at God’s initiative: it is undeserved.

b) He specified what God had for her: she would bear a son (implied without the aid of a man); she was to name Him Jesus (“the Lord saves”); Jesus would be great; He wound be called/be the Son of the Most High (God Who ranks over all)- sharing in deity. Further the Lord would give Him the throne of David as promised in 2 Samuel 7:12-17, Psalm 89:35-37)- implies she like Joseph was of the line of David; He would reign over the house of Jacob- Israel’s long awaited Messiah/Savior; and His kingdom would have no end (Dan. 2:44, 7:14). One wonders if she was aware of Isaiah 7:14.

c) Mary understood what he said, but wondered how it would be possible since she was a virgin.

3. Gabriel’s elaboration leads to submission (vs. 35-38)

a) Gabriel explained the Holy Spirit (all 3 Person of the Trinity were involved) would come upon her in a special way (Acts 1:8). The power of the Most High God would overshadow her womb (as the cloud of Divine Glory over the tabernacle in the OT or at the transfiguration, 9:34). This holy One to be born would be called/be the Son of God (“son of”- possessing the Father’s qualities). God taking on flesh & formed in the womb as a baby.

b) Mary did not ask for an encouraging sign, but Gabriel gave her one. Her older relative Elizabeth, well beyond child bearing years was in her 6th month of pregnancy with a son. God was on the move.

c) “For nothing/impossible with God” (Gen. 18:14) “Every word/statement of God shall not be powerless.”

d) There were more questions to ask, but Mary’s response was passive surrender. She acknowledged she
was the servant of the Lord, and was open for Him to do what He had just promised. There comes a time when you know enough to submit to God’s gracious plan for you.

e) Gabriel accomplished his mission so he departed. The miraculous virgin conception likely happened soon after. Since God is the almighty Creator, He could perform the miracle of conceiving Jesus in Mary’s womb and keeping her sinful nature from passing on to Him.

f) God truly entered the human experience to save people from their sins. We cannot say He does not know what it is like to be human. Nor can we say that there is any other person who can save us from our sins.