The angel Gabriel was given the privilege of announcing to an obscure woman in a despised city the most marvelous event that has ever taken place in history. Mary was chosen by God to be the virgin mother of One "whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). Therefore this Holy One would be called "Son of God" (Luke 1:35). This was to be the fulfillment of what is said in Hebrews 10:5, "When He came into the world, He said: 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.'"

The tremendous number of animal sacrifices in Israel were only anticipative of the Lord Jesus coming in bodily form, in order to be Himself the one great sacrifice for sin that would perfectly satisfy the eternal God. God prepared that body, which by the power of the Holy Spirit was implanted in the womb of Mary. She had the wonderful privilege of having Him in her womb until the day of His birth. How careful she would be all that time!

Joseph, being engaged to Mary, was minded to quietly terminate the engagement when knowing of Mary's pregnancy. But an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Thus, though Mary was a child of Adam and therefore a sinner, by the power of the Holy Spirit she was given grace to be the virgin mother of the sinless, holy Son of God. Miraculous indeed! And she will rejoice with all creation in glorifying this blessed Lord of glory for all eternity!

Leslie M. Grant