Luke 1 and 2 are some of the most gripping chapters I ever read in the Bible. First, an angel appears to Zachariah, a man well advanced in years who has no child with his wife of many years. The angel says his wife, Elizabeth will be pregnant. Then Zach is rendered mute because he doesn't believe the angel. Next, the same angel appears to a virgin, Mary to say she will have a son. This girl Mary, and Zachariah's wife Elizabeth happen to be cousins. In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Mary visits her. And the things that happen there are so mind-blowing. From when the angel appears to Mary, to the birth of Jesus Christ and his early days, a series of fascinating things happen. Here are fifteen of them:
1. An angel appeared to a virgin. Just think about this for a minute. An angel appeared to her. How did this happen? Did the angel zoom in through the door of fly through the roof? Or did she just notice an angel in front of her? This happened in real life. An angel appeared unto her. This is extraordinary.
2. The angel spoke. Perhaps when Mary saw the angel, she thought she was hallucinating. But this unusual being right before her SPOKE.
3. The angel said she will become pregnant not through intimacy with a man but when the Holy Spirit overshadows her like a cloud. Whaaaaaaaa?? What was she going to tell her to-be husband, Joe?
4. Mary, after asking how this was going to happen and getting the (strange) answer that explained that the Holy Spirit would "overshadow" her, accepted what the angel said. She said,
"Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word."
This is nothing short of fascinating. If I were Mary, I would probably have asked the angel to give me time to process everything. Or perhaps I would have asked to see a psychiatrist.
5. When Mary visited Elizabeth and greeted her, the baby in her womb 'leaped". Wait, a baby that wasn't even born yet responded to Mary's greeting? Wow!
6. Elizabeth was "filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him" then she declared to Mary:
“Blessed [worthy to be praised] are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.”
7. Elizabeth called Mary "the mother of my Lord", How did she know this? By the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is real.
8. Mary, in response to Elizabeth's proclamation, spoke the beautiful words that are today known as the "Magnificat". She declared,
"For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God!" She said all generations from that time will call her blessed. How did she know this? By the power of the Holy Spirit.
9. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months before returning to her home. I always thought the visit lasted just a few hours. See Luke 1: 56. Elizabeth probably helped her through the first trimester woes, that's if she had any.
10. When Mary gave birth to Jesus, there was no private room for them in the inn where they were in Bethlehem. So she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and put Him in a manger. Wait, how come the King of kings had no special room prepared for Him to make a grandiose entry into the world? Humble beginnings.
11. An angel of the Lord AGAIN appeared to shepherds in the same region where Jesus was born to announce His birth. In this story, angels were just appearing left and right.
12. As the angel made his announcement to the angels, suddenly, there appeared with him "a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God" Just think about this. A multitude of angels appeared right before humans and they were praising God!
13. The name Jesus was given to Him by angel Gabriel even before He was conceived. Who names a child that isn't even in a womb yet? The Holy Spirit does.
14. A man named Simeon recognised Jesus as the Messiah when He was only eight days old! See Luke 2:25-35
15. Anna a widow at the temple also confirmed Jesus to be the Anointed One.
How great is our Lord! May we never lose sight of how awesome Jesus is, how great His birth was and how humble He lived.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
What are the things that move you about Jesus's birth?
Dominika says
Thanks for the lessons on the birth of Jesus Precious.God is the all knowing God, He had already planned the birth of Jesus Christ before Mary and Joseph thought of even getting married.By the power of the Holyspirit God made Joseph so calmed and accepted the fact that Mary was pregnant with the Ruler of the Universe before he new her as a woman. this is a lesson that God is a master planner.Stay blessed as always Precious.
Precious says
Amen! God is the master planner. Joseph could only accept Mary because of His power that can convict every heart. It could only have been God,
Thanks for this comment, dear.
Bola says
We should learn not to argue when God is leading us through a phase, rather we should trust Him.
We should not look down on anybody, the King of kings first lived in a manger.
Joseph is a role model to all men, he didn't despise Mary but instead protected her.
The story of Jesus' birth is always interesting to read,thanks Precious
Precious says
I'm so blessed by this. Thanks Bola!
We should learn to trust God even when we do not completely understand him.
We should never ever look down on anyone. Preach, sister!
GoodnessMercy says
Thanks for the lessons ma'am.
So many things fascinate me about Christ's birth, from Mary's acceptance of the angel's news without argument or reluctance, to Joseph's courage to accept the baby Jesus as his, to angel's visiting shepherds and not the scribes who knew the law that Jesus was to be born, to the shepherds spreading the good news, to the star seen by wise men from the east, to Simeon and Anna's testimony. The birth of Jesus is really packed full with many wonders and lessons.
I've been running a series on my blog on the lessons i've learnt so far beginning from Matthew's account of the genealogy, you could check them out here:
http://devotionsofapsalmist.wordpress.com
Precious says
Hi Goodness, it truly took courage and great faith in God for Joseph to accept Mary.
It's a story filled with wonders. May we never cease to be amazed by it.
Off to check out the lessons on your blog.
Bisola says
Their accounts of the Gospel in Luke and John are one of my favorites.
Everything about our saviour's birth is amazing.
God has literally got everything covered. He will provide everything needed at a particular time. He made plans for Jesus to come to the World, and also made plans for John the Baptist to be born. Answered the prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth and fulfilled the prophecy of a Messiah while also sending Angels to deliver the good news.
We have a lot to learn from Jesus's humble beginnings.
Great Summary. Key points champion. Lol.
Precious says
Lol at key points champion!!
Your sense of humour eh.
God truly has everything covered, my dear.
Olaitan Bobade says
I laughed really hard at going to see a psychiatrist. Lol. I learnt new things. Never knew she stayed for 3 months. The first trimester idea sounds plausible. Yes, the Holy Spirit is real. Thank God.
Laitanbee Blog
Precious says
Lol Olaa, I've missed you dear.
I didn't know she stayed for three months too. I only saw that detail when I read it again.
It's amazing what we discover when we re-read the Bible.
Amaka says
Amazing post, ma'm! I saw something new in this post. A new light in the season of conception to the season of delivery.
1. It is one thing to get pregnant, it is another thing for the baby to be preserved I'm the womb.
2. It is one thing for the baby to be preserved in the womb, it is another thing for the baby to be born.
3. It is one thing for the baby to be born, it is another thing for the baby to be nurtured into fulfilling the purpose for which it was birthed.
Mary was obedient from the day of conception to the day of delivery. OBEDIENCE stands out for me this Christmas. Promotion comes through obedience.
Merry Christmas 🙂
amakamedia.com
Precious says
Obedience! That's so convicting. We need to OBEY in the beginning, middle and end.
Thanks for this, Amaka!
Kewrites says
This is such a great read! I love these two chapters. I marvel at many facts but this stands out for me "But Mary kept all these thing, and pondered them in her heart 2:19" This woman is just phenomenal...
How could a chosen be so quiet about all these greatness??? If it were nowadays eh! ah. I will still love to have a chat with her if it were possible:-)
Merry Christmas dear
Precious says
Hahaha that your pending chat will Mary will be long o. First, you will ask her about her motherhood journey with the boy, Jesus then, ask her how she could be so quiet over all these things. I love that verse too - so much. The Bible says a gentle and quiet spirit is very precious in the sight of God.
Merry Christmas to you too, dear.
Lizette says
Lol... I love point 11. Angels appearing left and right. Reminds me that angels have today been put at the service of the one in Christ. Reading through these points, i just wondered: What if Mary, like Moses, had told God "Get someone else"?... Just thinking!
What moves me about Jesus' birth is the very fact of God becoming man, yet remaining God. It makes me see how precious man is in God's eyes. Thanks for this Precious.
Precious says
Thanks for that point, Lizzy. We are so precious to God. So precious that He left all His glory to come to this sinful world for us. Such deep love. May we love like Jesus.
favourmoyse says
Yieldedness to the will of God. Be it unto me said marry. Not everyone can say that. Let's learn to submit our will to his will at all times and seasons
FAVOURMOYSE BLOG
Precious says
So true Favour. May the words, "Be it unto me according to your word" always be on our lips and in our heart. Thanks for sharing, dear.
Cindy says
This is the coolest post ever cause it will always be relevant. I for one enjoyed reading this. ?
Precious says
Glad you did Cindy.
The birth of Christ is always fascinating.
Thanks for the encouraging words.