In the quiet, humble town of Nazareth, something profound unfolded—a celestial messenger, the angel Gabriel, visited a young girl named Mary.   Gabriel, who had delivered important messages to the prophet Daniel (Daniel 8:16) and the aging priest Zechariah to foretell the miraculous birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:19).  Now, he is standing before Mary. 

Imagine the scene, a moment that must have set the air buzzing with wonder and perhaps a touch of trepidation. As Gabriel spoke, Mary’s heart surely had a blend of awe and unease. Who could blame her for the mixed emotions? After all, she must have recalled the ancient prophecy from Isaiah, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”—God with us.

The very definition of annunciation is woven with threads of joy—it means “to bring good news.” Imagine the weight and wonder in Gabriel’s message, as it unfolded according to the phrase from the Latin Vulgate, annuntiatio navitatis Christi. This was the extraordinary announcement of Christ’s birth to Mary, a proclamation that would echo through the halls of eternity.

Mary, young and unassuming, stood on the precipice of an event that defied human comprehension. Indeed, the abrupt appearance of an angel was cause for fear, but the message would be profound. The news was a gift, and it would bring joy to all mankind. Her response was one of deep, abiding trust. She didn’t fully grasp all that was unfolding, but her heart was open and ready. “Let it be to me according to your word“.

Sometimes faith is precisely that—a step into the unknown, trusting all to our Creator. Mary carried Christ in her womb, but He was already birthed in her heart, just as He longs to dwell within each of us today. The wonder that filled her heart must also find a home in ours.

Among all who walked this earth, one soul knew beyond a doubt the miracle of the virgin birth—it was Mary herself. The surety of her belief sustained her even as she stood in the sorrowful shadow of the cross. Would a mother endure such heartache for a lie? Impossible.  Mary knew, deeply and undeniably, that her Son was indeed the Son of God.

This was a moment like none before; God incarnate, Jesus, fully man, fully God. The eternal one, who had no beginning, was suddenly woven into the fabric of time—not starting in Nazareth, but clothed in humanity there. In Jesus, divinity and humanity coexisted perfectly, fulfilling a way to salvation for all humankind.

Jesus’s arrival in our hearts reshapes us; He molds us to become more like Him. Have you welcomed Jesus into your heart?  Have you surrendered your life to Him?  He is waiting.

Isaiah told us to watch for Immanuel, to anticipate the virgin-born Son of God.  His purpose will be to save us.  We know Him as Jesus, but we can also call Him “God with us,” because that’s exactly who He is. 

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed^[ to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”  But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 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, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. 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. 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. For nothing will be impossible with God.”  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.” Luke 1:26-38