"And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you, that the Holy One in your womb will be called the Son of God.'" (St. Luke 1:35)
Merry Christmas! In the name of Jesus. Amen. The Virgin conceived. That's just simply amazing, isn't it? We can't say it enough during the Christmas season nor can we forget the miracle.
Mary was a virgin and virgins aren't supposed to conceive. She had never known a man. The whole thing is impossible, isn't it?
But Gabriel speaks the Lord's words. His words deliver exactly what they say. The Holy Spirit came upon her and the power of the Highest overshadowed her. She conceived in her womb and brought forth a Son and called His name Jesus. It happened just as the angel said.
That's what it takes for God to save you and me--the Son of God is born into our flesh. Mary's Boy takes upon Himself our sins, suffers and dies in our place. He does what we could never do--be holy before God. By what He did, we are made saints, His "holy ones."
Now that's a miracle! You were dead in your trespasses and sins. You were an enemy and hater of God and His Word. God acts--He sends His messenger to you, His angel, and changes who you are.
His gifts deliver His holiness. His Word with water washes us clean. His Word together with bread and wine feed us His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of our sins.
His Word comes to you through His messengers. He sent His angel Gabriel to speak to the blessed Virgin. He has sent your pastor to speak God's Word into your ears.
That's why your pastor wears a white robe. He is God's angel, God's messenger, sent to deliver the Lord's words and gifts. Those words give the Holy Spirit who works faith in those who hear the Gospel.
Hear the Gospel again: The Virgin Mary conceived. The Holy One in her womb was the Son of God. By what He did for us on the cross, we sinners are made holy. What a miracle! Merry Christmas! In the name of Jesus. Amen.
"Savior of the nations, come, Virgin's Son, make here Thy home! Marvel now, O heaven and earth, That the Lord chose such a birth." (TLH #95, v. 1)
Daily Lectionary: Isa. 58:1-59:3, 14-21, St. Luke 1:26-38
Higher Things would like to thank the Rev. George F. Borghardt III (Assistant Pastor, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Conroe, TX) for writing this season's Reflections.
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