"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel." {Isaiah 7:14}
{Luke 1:26-33}
And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
{Matthew 1:18-20}
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."
{Luke 2:7-14}
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
Reflection
Unlike the stories we read about in everyday life and are soon forgotten, or the news we discard as old news, the story of the entrance of our Lord Jesus Christ into the world, in human flesh, never grows old in our hearts.
The Christmas season is unlike any other celebrated on earth. Even those who have not experienced new birth, find themselves caught up in the joyful atmosphere and are giving glory to God.
God Himself in human flesh—born of a virgin—to save the souls of men. This prophecy and miracle cannot be fathomed by the human mind, but the born-again experience is real for all who have had an encounter with the true and living God and His Spirit that raises us from death to life, from darkness to light. Praise the Lord, our Emmanuel!
In His time, God brought to pass His perfect plan for the redemption of souls and restoration of broken lives. Before the foundation of the earth, He set in motion His divine purpose for you, me and the world. Receive the hope and blessed peace that He alone can give. Be filled with His unspeakable joy... be filled with His Spirit!
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
- A Walk In The Garden Devotions
Peace and goodwill to all, this Christmas season and always... In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
