Luke 1:26-33 - Remembering the Annunication and Messiah's Birth

 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! [Jehovah] is with you. Blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’ He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. [Jehovah] God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.” -- Luke 1:26-33, World English, with God's Holy Name presented as "Jehovah".

December 25 is the day that most Christians have, by tradition, set aside to remember Christ's birth. Most associated with the Bible Students movement, however, believe that the Biblical evidence points to Jesus being born around October  1 rather than December  25. Nevertheless, to most of the Bible Students, the significance of December  25 for Christians remains unchanged, for it commemorates the Annunciation — when Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit.  Both the announcement and the birth are essential to the divine plan, each a cause for rejoicing, as expressed in John  1:14: “The Word became flesh.”

The prophecy of Isaiah, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given” (Isaiah  9:6), links the child’s arrival with the gift of the Son. John  3:16 reminds us that God gave his only‑begotten Son out of love. These truths reveal God’s generous character and point to the pre‑human Son who, though already God’s Son, entered humanity through a virgin birth.

The Annunciation

Luke, the traveling companion of Paul, records the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary.  Her humble acceptance contrasts with Zechariah’s doubt when told that he and Elizabeth would have a son in their old age.  Mary’s response, “Behold the handmaid of Jehovah; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke  1:38), sets the tone for the incarnation.

The Birth of Jesus

Because of the Roman census ordered by Augustus, Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, fulfilling Micah’s prophecy (Micah 5:2).  In a humble stable, Mary gave birth to her firstborn, who was laid in a manger. Though of Davidic lineage, they were poor, and the circumstances of the birth echoed the lowly expectations of the world, yet fulfilled God’s purpose.

Heavenly Witnesses

An angel announced the birth to shepherds, who then went to see the child. Their worship was the first human response to the baby who was to be the King of Israel. After the birth, Jesus was circumcised, and Mary and Joseph presented him in the temple, offering the modest sacrifice of two turtledoves, as prescribed for the poor. -- Leviticus  12:6‑8.

The Name “Jesus”

An angel instructed Joseph to name the child Jesus, meaning “Jehovah saves” (Matthew  1:21).  In the Old Testament, this name is usually rendered into English as "Joshua". The most prominent person that received this name in the Old Testament was Joshua, who led Israel into the promised land. Joshua saved, delivered, the children of Israel by delivering them into the promised, and thus serves as a type of God's Anointed One who saves the whole word from the condemnation in Adam. 

Conclusion

Both the Annunciation and birth of Jesus are vital links in God’s redemptive plan. Beginning with Jesus' conception in Mary's womb, then his birth and the manger in Bethlehem, to the cross, resurrection, and promised return, when God is to bless all families of the earth due to Jesus' sacrifice.  Recognizing the full sweep of salvation — Ransom, Resurrection, and Return — fills the remembrance of his birth with true joy.  As believers await the consummation of God’s plan, they are called to rejoice always (Philippians  4:4) and to be conformed to the image of Christ. -- Romans 8:29.

Hebrews 10:21,22 - A True Heart Full of Faith

James 5:10 - The Prophets as An Example of Suffering

Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of Jehovah. -- James 5:10, RLIV

THE right path is still the "narrow path" of self-abasement and self-denial -- the path of meekness and humility. It will require as much effort and grace to walk it this year as last, or possibly more. Indeed, the more we grow in grace and knowledge, the stronger will be the temptations to be boastful, puffed up, heady, high-minded, and the higher we climb in faith and hope and love and activity in Jehovah's service, the more the great Adversary will oppose our progress, and the more his emissaries will slander, backbite, and generally seek to injure us. -- Adapted from "Views in the Tower", ZWT, January 1, 1895 (now in public domain), page 3.

In those prophets of old, we find examples of faith, humility, meekness, obedience, patience, endurance, brotherly kindness, and love. In addition to the obedient faith of Abraham, Jacob, Samuel, David, and the entire noble list of ancient faithful ones who fought the good fight of faith with unwavering energy to the end of their course, we also remember Moses' unwavering zeal and loving ministry during long years of extreme trial. We must keep in mind that these admirable instances of devotion and faithfulness to God, as well as to his truth and righteousness, were formed solely in the moonlight of the law-dispensation. In light of this, reason proposes what the Apostle Peter also highlights: "what kind of people ought you [who have received of God's grace through Jesus] to be in holy living and godliness"?  (2 Peter 3:11, World English).

The whole world, being under the present sun of vanity, is suffering in some way or other. Some may even suffer in upholding some principle of justice, while others may suffer in promoting forms of unrighteousness. Some may expect that when one becomes a Christian, that one should be removed from the suffering in the world. Jesus, however, tells us that any who follow him are called upon to suffer in his name. The Christian will be persecuted in some way above what is common to mankind, if he is actively serving the Lord Jesus. Through our sufferings, our faith is being brought to perfection. 

Present sufferings also help prepare those being called for the work of ahead. We know Jesus suffered, and that he shared in man's infirmities, so that "he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God," so we also should learn from our own sufferings how to become merciful and faithful as our savior. This will make us more fit for whatever role God has for us in the Kingdom Age of bringing mankind back into harmony with God.