 In as much as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
Birth of John the Baptist Foretold 5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. 8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple.22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying,25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Birth of Jesus Foretold 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Meditation Jesus has come- Jesus will come again. This Advent the Spirit of God wants to birth new life in you with a fresh view of His Sovereign grace. Most nativity narration rightfully focuses on angels, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and the story. This is appropriate for Theophilus’ “orderly account” (1-4). This is real History! But as God gave life to the barren and older womb of Elizabeth (7) and the empty virgin womb of Mary (34) so He wants to give new life to you. The shy participant in this seasonal story is the third person of the Trinity- the Holy Spirit. The Person of the Holy Spirit that filled John the Baptist in the womb of Elizabeth (15) is the power through which life is formed in Mary (34-35) and will form life in you. Will you ask God to form new life in you by the power of His Spirit this Advent season? The Holy Spirit ordered creation (Genesis 1:2) and orders new creation (Romans 8:13). The Holy Spirit came upon Mary as He comes upon the Church (the same verb is used by Jesus in His promise found in Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit wants to re-create you and bring life in and through you. You may ask with Mary, “How can this be? I am dry, distant, discouraged, destitute, and in disbelief?” Thankfully The Holy Spirit is a Person and also the “power of the most high God” (35). Nothing is impossible for Him! Richly Dwelling -Do you long for new life this advent season? If not, ask the Lord to create a longing within you. If so, look to the power of the most high God, the person of the Holy Spirit! -Why do people over look the role of the Holy Spirit in the story of Christmas? Have you ever seen him in a nativity play? Why not? -The Holy Spirit wants to work Christ in you, more and more. How can you participate with the work of the Spirit to make room in your heart for more and more of Jesus? Key Verse 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. Don't forget to check out This Week's Links! Comments are closed.
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