Christmas: A Story of Fulfillment - Greetings, O Favored One

Whenever Divinity engages the earthly, the Holy with the unholy, it is an act of mercy and grace. This passage overflows with God’s kindness to humanity. First, we find the angel Gabriel being sent by God to a little town called Nazareth, to a young woman committed to and awaiting her marriage to Joseph, a tradesman. Likely, she’s a teenager, innocent in the world. As Jewish tradition requires, she’s living at home, awaiting her marriage to Joseph which often occurred within a year of the betrothal agreement. Gabriel announces that she has been given “favor” from God.

Second, we hear this great announcement of Messiah’s birth. Here is where Gabriel gives the most details, bringing the Old Testament prophecies to bear on the child she will have. Her Son will be from God and will be given the eternal throne promised to David’s great descendent. He will reign forever, providing for and protecting his people. He will be a Holy King.

The narrative then moves to the manner of this conception and the celebration of it with Mary’s cousin Elizabeth. This brings us to the third expression of God’s grace the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Not only will the Spirit create this conception, but he fills Elizabeth and her child, John, yet unborn, with faith and joy at the presence of Mary who is early in her pregnancy. God’s Spirit is perpetually with His people.

Luke is doing more than telling us a story; he is revealing to us the grace of God. Christmas is a story of unwarranted, unearned grace from God. It’s a story of God’s fulfillment of his goodness, the full expression of his grace. Join us Sunday as we worship!