The Lord spoke through His prophets to let His people know that the Messiah was coming. He would be born and given the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob forever (Luke 1:32-33). Around 4 B.C., the prophecies about the coming Messiah were fulfilled with the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. This morning we will see how God announced the birth of His Son to those whom He chose. And in doing so, rejoice in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Angel’s Message to Zechariah (Luke 1:5-25)
The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that his wife (Elizabeth) would have a son in her old age who would prepare the way of the coming Messiah. The angel said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John” (Luke 1:13). John would “go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). Zechariah struggled to understand. He said, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years” (Luke 1:18). He was rebuked by Gabriel because “you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time” (Luke 1:20). Zechariah was rebuked, but the promise remained. Notice that Zechariah (who did not believe) would remain mute “until the day when these things take place” (Luke 1:20). Zechariah struggled with the angel’s message. He had grown cynical over time, but he listened and obeyed the Lord’s message through the angel.
The Angel’s Message to Mary (Luke 1:26-56)
About six months later, the angel Gabriel visited a young woman named Mary. Gabriel announced to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus” (Luke 1:30-31). Gabriel told Mary that her Son Jesus “will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” (Luke 1:32-33).
Mary was troubled by this message, but listened and obeyed. Mary understood what it meant for a young, unmarried woman to be pregnant in the 1st Century. Mary understood how her soon-to-be husband Joseph would react to the news of her pregnancy. But she says, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Sure, she questioned how a virgin could have a son, but when told it would happen she accepted it without complaint. She trusted God and was willing to obey even if it meant suffering disgrace and hardship. Mary considered the glory of God greater than her own comfort.
In Luke 1:46-55, she proclaimed that her soul magnifies the Lord and her spirit rejoices in God. Magnify means to make large, to praise the greatness of, and to honor highly. Your translation may have this section formatted like a poem. In fact, it resembles Psalm 103–Psalm of Thanksgiving–which contains a section of thankfulness provided with reasons for being thankful. It also resembles Hannah’s praise in 1 Samuel 2 in which Hannah praises the Lord for the birth of her son, Samuel. Mary was amazed and perplexed, but she trusted and obeyed.
The Angel’s Messages to Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25)
Mary told her soon-to-be husband Joseph about the angel’s announcement and we learn that Joseph wasn’t convinced. Joseph “being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly” (Matt 1:19). An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt 1:20-21). We are told that “Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife” (Matt 1:24). We don’t know much about Joseph, but when he is mentioned, he is a righteous man who listened to and obeyed the Lord.
The Angel’s Message to the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-15)
Luke tells us, “In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8). They were alert to any dangers or threats and were not timid or fearful people. They knew what to do if a wolf or a stranger approached, but they were not expecting an angel to appear before them and the glory of the Lord to shine around them. Their initial reaction is understandable: “they were terribly frightened” (Luke 2:9).
The angel told them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). The Savior of the world has been born in nearby Bethlehem in fulfillment of what the prophet Micah foretold (Micah 5:2). The promised Messiah has come and a multitude of angels appeared praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14). The Shepherds were amazed and they could not help but share all that they had seen and heard.
What about you? Do you listen and obey? Are you amazed at what you have read and have heard about Jesus’ birth? His birth is important because His death is important. Jesus had to come in a manger so that He would hang on a cross. He had to become like us so that He could save us. Is He your Savior? Is He your Lord? Have you repented of your sins and believe in Him? Charles Wesley’s beautiful Christmas hymn proclaims the glory of Jesus’s birth:
Mild He lays His glory by; Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth;
Hark! The herald angels sing; “Glory to the new-born king!”
First Baptist Scott City, MO 
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