Introduction

Good morning, beloved. As we gather here today in the comforting embrace of our shared faith, let's open our hearts to the divine words that are about to be shared. We are here to discuss a narrative that is as old as time, yet as refreshing as the morning dew. It's a story of hope, humility, and redemption. A story that has the power to transform our lives in ways we cannot even begin to fathom.

Heaven's Announcement of Hope

Now, let's turn our attention to the first part of this narrative, where the angel Gabriel visits Mary. This is not a casual visit, but a divine appointment, a moment of heavenly intervention in the course of human history. The angel's greeting to Mary is not just a simple hello, but a proclamation of God's favor, a declaration of divine purpose.

The angel's words to Mary, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you," are not just a personal message to Mary, but a universal message to all of us. These words remind us that we are not alone in our struggles, that we are not forgotten in our pain, that we are not abandoned in our trials. These words assure us that God is with us, that His favor rests upon us, that His grace is sufficient for us.

But what does it mean to be highly favored? To be highly favored is to be chosen by God, to be set apart for His purpose, to be entrusted with His mission. Mary was highly favored not because of her social status, her wealth, or her beauty, but because of her faith, her humility, and her willingness to serve God.

The angel's announcement to Mary was not just a prediction of a future event, but a promise of a divine miracle. The angel said to Mary, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus." This was not just a biological miracle, but a spiritual miracle, a miracle that would change the course of human history, a miracle that would bring hope to a world lost in darkness.

The name Jesus means "God saves." This name is not just a label, but a mission statement, a declaration of God's redemptive plan. Through Jesus, God would save the world from sin, from death, from despair. Through Jesus, God would bring hope, peace, and joy to a world in desperate need of salvation.

The angel's message to Mary was not just a personal revelation, but a cosmic revelation. The angel said, "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." This was not just a royal proclamation, but a divine proclamation, a proclamation of God's eternal kingdom, a kingdom of justice, a kingdom of peace, a kingdom of love.

Mary's response to the angel's announcement was not just an act of obedience, but an act of faith, an act of surrender, an act of worship. Mary said, "I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be as you have said." These words were not just a verbal affirmation, but a heart commitment, a commitment to serve God, to trust God, to follow God, no matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice, no matter the challenge.

Humility in the Birth of Jesus

The first aspect of this humility is seen in the choice of Mary herself ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO