The Birth of Jesus Foretold: Part 1 (Luke 1:26-33)

Hello All,

Now is the Christmas season and it is a good time to reflect on what the Bible has to say about the true meaning of Jesus' birth.

I have written a poem that narrates the birth of Jesus foretold and which I have split into Part 1 and 2.

The Birth of Jesus Foretold: Part 1 (Luke 1:26-33)

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (3^rd November 2012)

God sent angel Gabriel to a city

Named Nazareth in the land of Galilee

To bring a message to virgin Mary

Betrothed to Joseph of David's family

'Greetings, O favoured one,' said the angel

 'The Lord is with you!' he said as he drew near

The angel's words troubled Mary greatly

She could not discern what greeting this might be

'Do not be afraid,' Gabriel assured her

'For you have found favour with your creator

You will conceive and bear a son, Jesus

His name is Immanuel, God with us'

'The breadth of his might no one can deny

And he will be called the Son of the Most High

God will give him the throne of David his father

He'll reign o'er the house of Jacob forever'

TO BE CONTINUED…..

Points for Reflection:

·         The birth of Jesus Christ was foretold by God through many of his appointed prophets (and people He had chosen to make known to) long before the actual event took place.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

(Isaiah 7:14)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6)

·         God promised David, who was a very good and godly king over Israel, that Jesus Christ would descend from his line and rule mightily over a spiritual kingdom that will last forever. Many, many centuries after King David's reign, angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, a virgin pledged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of David, to tell her that she would be the mother of Jesus.

When your [King David's] days are fulfilled and you [King David] lie down with your [King David's] fathers, I will raise up your [King David's] offspring [Jesus Christ] after you, who shall come from your [King David's] body, and I will establish his [Jesus Christ's] kingdom. He [Jesus Christ] shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his [Jesus Christ] kingdom forever.

(2 Samuel 7:12-13)

And your [King David's] house and your [King David's] kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your [King David's] throne shall be established forever.

(2 Samuel 7:16)

·         You may wonder why did Father God send his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world through virgin birth? Jesus Christ was on a mission to save sinful humanity from the penalty of their transgressions. When God created the first man, Adam and first woman, Eve, they disobeyed and rebelled against God by eating of the forbidden fruit because they wanted to be in control of their own lives. Rebellion against God as the loving ruler of our lives is what the Bible defines as sin. The penalty of sin against a holy God is eternal death in hell. But Jesus Christ, who is a holy God, willingly came down to earth as a man so that he could be our substitute by taking on the punishment that we rightfully deserve through his death on the cross.

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned

(Romans 5:12)

For if, because of one man's [Adam's] trespass, death reigned through that one man [Adam], much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

(Romans 5:17)

·         Isn't it wonderful that we have a powerful and loving God who fulfills his promises to his people and who is control of every event in history?

·         If you are able to trust in Christ for your salvation, shouldn't you be able entrust every area of your life into his hands?

·         Are you yielding your life to King Jesus and living by His Word or are you still choosing to run things your own way?

·         Are there areas in your life which you could learn to increasingly surrender to God each day?