"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them." [Isaiah 9:2] Those words from the prophet Isaiah told of the coming Prince of Peace, and of the light and life He would bring.
Christmas arrives again with all the promise of remembrance and celebration. Christians celebrate Christmas because the light did dawn. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was not only the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, but the dawn of a new age. As the angels declared to the shepherds, this infant is "a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord."
This is the very essence of Christmas: The birth of the Saviour. To understand Christmas is to know that the ultimate peace the Saviour would bring would be established by His death and resurrection. Even as Jesus came to save His people from their sins, Christ's birth points towards His cross and the fulfillment of His saving work.
When Isaiah told of the coming Prince of Peace, he spoke of light dispelling darkness. The metaphor of light is central to our celebration of Christmas. After all, even as John introduces his gospel by identifying Jesus as the Word who became flesh, John also describes Jesus as "the True Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man."
The image of light dispelling darkness is central to our understanding of the incarnation and its meaning. When Jesus was presented at the temple shortly after His birth, the aged Simeon recognized this child as "A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."
The metaphor of light makes sense only against a background of darkness. In the Bible, darkness is a rich metaphor that points to a double reality. In one sense, darkness points to the simple fact of human ignorance. Those who are "in the dark" are those who lack knowledge. To the Jewish mind, this metaphor had particular application to the Gentile world--a world that had not received the grace of God through the revelation of the Torah, the prophets, and the written revelation of God. Even today, we know that untold millions still dwell in deep darkness, having never heard about the one true God or of Jesus Christ, His only Son.
Rejecting the Light:
In a second sense, darkness refers to evil and willful blindness. This points beyond the mere fact of simple ignorance. In this sense, darkness refers to the fact that many will reject the light. As John explained, "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came into His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him."
This is hard to believe--the Son of God took on human flesh and came to live among sinful humanity, but the vast majority did not recognize Him for who He is.
As a celebration of light, Christmas is the festival that points to the glory of God in the revelation of the Son in Bethlehem's humble manger. We rightly point to Jesus Christ's birth as the central event of human history--the dividing line between the age of darkness and the age of light. This is reason enough to celebrate Christmas, for our response to this gift of light must be a celebration, thanksgiving, and rejoicing.
Preaching on a Christmas morning almost five hundred years ago, Martin Luther reminded his congregation that the proper response to the Christian story is not mere rejoicing nor casual interest, but faith. Beyond this, Luther understood that this faith has two important dimensions.
Luther reminded his congregation that most persons know how to rejoice when they are given a Christmas gift. "But how many are there who shout and jump for joy when they hear the message of the angel: 'To you is born this day the Saviour?' Indeed, the majority look upon it as a sermon that must be preached, and when they have heard it, consider it a trifling thing, and go away just as they were before. This shows that we have neither the first nor the second faith."
Affirmation Does Not Save:
As Luther understood, to hear the Christmas story and to respond with mere interest is an indication of faith's absence. Furthermore, Luther helpfully reminded his congregation that a mere affirmation of the fact that the incarnation occurred is not saving faith. "We do not believe that the virgin mother bore a son and that he is the Lord and Saviour unless, added to this, I believe the second thing, namely, that he is my Saviour and Lord."
In other words, the message of Christmas is received when Jesus Christ is not merely affirmed as the baby in Bethlehem's manger, but as one's own Saviour and Lord.
"When I can say: This I accept as my own, because the angel meant it for me, then, if I believe it in my heart, I shall not fail to love the mother Mary, and even more the child, and especially the Father," Luther continued. "For, if it is true that the child was born of the virgin and is mine, then I have no angry God and I must know and feel that there is nothing but laughter and joy in the heart of the Father and no sadness in my heart. For, if what the angel says is true, that He is our Lord and Saviour, what can sin do against us?"
With those words, Luther articulated the majestic faith of Christmas--the faith that saves. When Christmas is rightly understood, we know that God loves us, even as we are sinners who deserve no love. We also understand that this love is demonstrated in the gift of the Son, who would die for our sins and would be raised by the Father in order to secure our salvation.
Thus, a true Christmas is celebrated when we come to understand, to know, to celebrate, and to receive the fact that Jesus Christ is not merely a Saviour, but our Saviour.
The image of light is central, not only to Christmas, but to Christianity. Jesus said: "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." [John 8:12] This is the sum and substance of Christmas. The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who have lived in a dark land have now experienced the shining of the Light of life.
TheGreatestGiftofAll; The Birth of Jesus Christ
A New Beginning
I heard that someone actually tried to calculate how much it would cost to give the gifts named in the classic Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The grand total came to about $15,000.
Some items were affordable, like a partridge in a pear tree for $34.99. Six turtledoves will run you somewhere around $50. Six geese-a-laying will cost around $150.
But the price takes off when you add 11 pipers piping. That is $1,000 right there. Then there are the 12 drummers drumming. With current union scale for musicians, they will run you another $1,000.
The price really soars when you get 12 lords-a-leaping. We are talking $3,000 for them. Granted, I don't know where you would find them, but they are very expensive.
Still, the real message of Christmas is not the gifts that we give to each other. Rather, it is a reminder of the gift that God has given to each of us. It is the only gift that truly keeps on giving, so I want to point out four things about it.
First, it is surprising.
When Christmas rolls around, you often try to figure out if certain people have bought that gift you really wanted. Maybe you already know what they bought, because they didn't hide it very well. Or maybe you uncovered it by accident-or maybe not.
But when the day comes and you open the present, you have to pretend you're surprised. Yet all along, you knew what it was.
God's gift to us, however, was a complete surprise. It was not expected, and as you examine it more carefully, you realize how great a gift it actually was.
Second, God's gift came to us in the humblest of wrappings.
What would you think if you saw a gift under your Christmas tree that was wrapped in newspaper and tied up with string? At first, you would probably assume that a guy wrapped it.
But think about God's gift to us. Jesus was not born in a palace of gold; He was born in a stable. He was clothed with rags. He was laid in a feeding trough.
Yet these things do not, in any way, diminish the story of Christ's birth. If anything, they help us realize the great sacrifice God made for us. God's gift to humanity, the ultimate gift of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ, came in the simplest and humblest of wrappings.
Third, we don't deserve this gift.
At Christmas, we give gifts to those whom we care about, who have been kind to us over the past year, or who have given us a gift first. We don't give gifts to the person who has been slandering our name or to the angry neighbour who never has a kind word to say.
Yet God gave us His gift when we were His enemies. He didn't give this gift to us because we deserved it. In fact, it was just the opposite. The Bible tells us, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NKJV).
Fourth, the gift tells us something about the giver.
When you want to give someone a gift, you start thinking about it ahead of time. Hopefully, you try to find what that person wants or needs.
When God decided to give us the gift of eternal life, it wasn't something that He just thought of on the fly. Long before there was a town called Bethlehem, a garden called Eden, and a planet called Earth, a decision was made in eternity that God would send forth His Son, born of a woman, made under the law, to redeem those that are under the law.
The Bible says that He was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8). Make no mistake about it: this gift that God has given to us was the most sacrificial thing He possibly could have offered.
So Christmas isn't about those gifts that you have your tree right now. All of those things will be gone one day. All that will be left after this life is the human soul, and that will live forever. We will put so much stock in what we have, but this is all going to pass away.
Life is about what happens beyond the grave. Life is about knowing the God who made you and who gave you the greatest gift you will ever receive.
"IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS"
Why Did Jesus Christ Come as a Baby?
In those first speechless moments, new parents gaze with fascination. They lovingly examine every inch of their newborn child's face.
No matter how we prepare ourselves, the reality of new birth astounds us. Here, nestled in our arms, is a brand-new member of the human race. Here is the future in flesh; our legacy to the world. We check eyes, mouth, ears for telltale family resemblances; we marvel at the delicate pink skin. Most of all, we silently thank the Lord over and over for a gift so unimaginably wonderful.
Can you imagine how intently Joseph and Mary must have studied the Child who came to them in Bethlehem? His coming had been foretold not by physicians but by angels. If those angels were right - and how could they not be? - here in the starlight was a Messiah who had been the subject of poems, songs, and dreams for a thousand years. Messiah: Perhaps the couple stammered when they tried to speak the M-word aloud. It was just so hard to imagine such a magnificent personification when they looked at the sleeping infant.
After all, everyone knew (or thought they knew) that the Messiah would be the ultimate military commander. He would arrive on horseback, with sword held high, crying out for vengeance and redemption in the name of the Lord and his favored nation. The Chosen One would have the wisdom of Solomon, the charisma of David, the godliness of Moses, and the military genius of Joshua.
Yet here was a baby - just a baby. Joseph and Mary had to admit that here was a baby who seemed, at first glance, like any other newborn child. He cried in the middle of the night. He hungered for milk. He needed fresh "swaddling clothes" every now and then. If this was just an ordinary child like cousin Elizabeth's new addition, how could he be "one whose origins are from the deep past," as the prophet had insisted? How could an infant be the Son of God?
Or for that matter, why would the Son of God be an infant? The need of crumbling, dying Israel was urgent. First the Greek and now the Roman influence was wiping away a bit more of the legacy of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob each day.
Why, indeed? Why did Jesus come as a child?
Jesus is the One like no other, for He was fully human and fully divine - simultaneously. Nothing about His humanity could detract from His godliness; nothing about his godliness could detract from his humanity. Only because this is true can He reconcile the Father in heaven with his children on earth. He is the Man of both worlds; He is the bridge by which God comes to earth and people come to heaven.
In that regard, we have seen that the Virgin Birth is the sign of his divinity. He comes to the earth from outside, pure and clean, and He is in no way a product of this world. Now we see that, in the same way, the infancy of the Child is the sign of his humanity. He is one of us in every way. He arrives from heaven with perfection and godliness of which no man or woman is capable - yet He takes the full human journey, which even God in heaven had not taken. How could we follow his footsteps as a man if we hadn't seen him crawl as a child? How could we believe he had undergone all the temptation we have faced if he had bypassed the most difficult years in which we struggle to earn our adulthood?
To make the full sacrifice on our behalf, Jesus had to make the full commitment. It would have meant very little to us if He had sprung from heaven fully formed, bathed in heavenly glory, saying, "Here are my hands and my feet - place me upon the cross, for I am willing to die." Instead, we see Him as a child in a manger. We see Him at the Temple as a boy on the verge of maturity, already about Hs Father's business. We see Mary and Joseph wondering at him, trying to understand, as He grew "in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people" (Luke 2:52).
Finally, we see Him as a young man, quietly beginning a ministry that will change all of human history. We overhear the whispers from His neighbours: "He's just a carpenter's son, and we know Mary, His mother, and His brothers - James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All His sisters live right here among us" (Matthew 13:55-56).
We see Him in the desert, wrestling with temptation and the matter of His destiny, and we know He is fully human. We see His love for children, and we can believe it because He, too, has been a child. And then, when those crude spikes are drilled through His wrists and his ankles, we know He feels the pain that any man would feel. We know the price of our sins is on the table, being paid in full with no credit plans or easy payment schedules, but by every last drop of blood and every brutal slash of the whip. We are bought with a price that could never have been paid without the full burden of humanity having been accepted.
If he Had been God only, His sacrifice would have been cheap and unconvincing. If He had been man only, His sacrifice would have had no power; He would have been a martyr like ten thousand others.
But He was man and He was God, and therefore He was all in all. He came as a child to confront and conquer every challenge and every temptation common to humanity. We trust Him with our lives because He was God. We love Him with our hearts because we know that once He was a tiny baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Gospel of Luke:
In the account of the Gospel of Luke, Mary learns from the angel Gabriel that she will conceive and bear a child called Jesus. When she asks how this can be, since she is a virgin, he tells her that the Holy Spirit would "come upon her" and that "nothing will be impossible with God". She responds: "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word".
At the time that Mary is due to give birth, she and her husband Joseph travel from their home in Nazareth about 150 kilometres (90 miles) south to Joseph's ancestral home in Bethlehem to register in the census of Quirinius. Having found no place for themselves in the inn, when Mary gives birth to Jesus she places the newborn in a manger (feeding trough)
An angel of the Lord visits the shepherds guarding their flocks in nearby fields and brings them "good news of great joy": "to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord." The angel tells them they will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. The angel is joined by a "heavenly host" who say "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!". The shepherds hurry to the manger in Bethlehem where they find Jesus with Mary and Joseph. They repeat what they have been told by the angel, and then return to their flocks. Mary and Joseph take Jesus to Jerusalem to be circumcised, before returning to their home in Nazareth.
Gospel of Matthew:
In the account of the Gospel of Matthew, the impending birth is announced to Joseph in a dream, in which he is instructed to name the child Jesus. A star reveals the birth of Jesus to a number (traditionally three) of magoi (magi, Greek μάγος, commonly translated as "wise man" but in this context probably meaning "astronomer" or "astrologer") who travel to Jerusalem from an unspecified country "in the east".
Herod understands the phrase "King of the Jews" as a reference to the Messiah, since he asked his advisers where the Messiah was to be born. They answer Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David, and quote the prophet
Micah: "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage," a deceitful Herod tells the magi.
As the magi travel to Bethlehem, the star "goes before" them and leads them to a house where they find and adore Jesus. They present Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In a dream, the magi receive a divine warning of Herod's intent to kill the child, whom he sees as a rival. Consequently, they return to their own country without telling Herod the result of their mission. An angel tells Joseph to flee with his family to Egypt. Meanwhile, Herod orders that all male children of Bethlehem under the age of two be killed, the so-called "Massacre of the Innocents".
After Herod's death, the family return from Egypt, but, instead of going back to live in Bethlehem, fears concerning Herod's Judean successor Archelaus cause them to move to Galilee and settle in Nazareth, fulfilling, according to the author, a prophecy: "He will be called a Nazorean".The Greek for this last word is Ναζωραιος.
The prophecy is primarily sourced from Judges 13:5, 7, which say, "the boy shall be a Nazirite"; this last word in the Codex Alexandrinus being Ναζειραιος, from the Hebrew נזיר [Nazir]. The author of Matthew explained the move to Nazareth as the fulfillment of the prophecy ὅτι Ναζωραἳος κληθἠσεται, "for he will be called a Nazorean." Menken believes he did this by changing one vowel, such that Ναζιραιος (Judg 13:5 in the Greek biblical text) was read as Ναζωραιος (Mt 2:23), which was an accepted exegetical procedure of his time. In Judges 13:5 the verb is ἔσται, "he will be a Nazirite (Ναζιραιος)", while in Mt 2:23 the verb is κληθἠσεται, "he will be called a Nazorean (Ναζωραιος)". Menken believes that the verb is derived from Isaiah 7:14, which interested Matthew as a prophecy of Jesus' birth and is parallel to Judges 13:5, 7.
"Others have speculated that the use of Ναζωραιος relates to the Hebrew term נצר [netzer], ie "branch," and its use in Is 11:1: "A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots" - a prediction that a new ruler would emerge from the line of Jesse, father of David. However, at the time Matthew was written, there was no tradition of transliterating rather than translating נצר, as this view requires; it is not very probable that the work's audience would have recognized the author's technique.
A Saviour is Born by Casting Crowns:
A Christmas Prayer
Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
That we may share in the song of the angels,
The gladness of the shepherds,
And worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?
Joshua waited with anticipation for his father to escort him downstairs to the birthday party planned in his honour. The big white house was full of happy guests and friends invited by his father. Laughter filled the house and the joyful noise of the celebration drifted upstairs to his room where Joshua waited to be escorted downstairs to the party at the appointed time.
Finally, with delight, he descended the long spiral staircase with his father. Then together they entered the vast living room. His beaming expression soon turned to one of shock, confusion, and dismay. All of the guests seemed to ignore his presence. His father tried to get their attention with his booming voice. But very few would listen or even look his way.
Most of the guests were busy opening the gifts they had brought. They were exchanging with one another. Some clutched their gifts to themselves and others were on the floor gleefully playing with the gifts that they had brought for the guest of honour.
Tears began to run down Joshua’s saddened face. The father’s kindly face turned angry and perplexed. With tears in his eyes, the father, with broken voice and heart, said, “I’m sorry son. I guess they forgot whose birthday it is.”
I love giving and receiving gifts at Christmas. But this Christmas we need to pause and ask ourselves “Whose birthday is it anyway?” If it is Jesus’ birthday we are celebrating, what gift are you going to give to Him? Why do we give one another gifts? After all it’s His birthday we celebrate. Jesus is the reason for the season!
God gave the world His greatest gift – His son! “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
The Son of God, born in obscure Bethlehem, in a cold still stable, of a virgin mother, gave himself as a ransom for the sin of the world. The angel announced His birth, “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
The wise men, magi from the east, followed a star to where the Christ child was lay. They worshipped Him and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gold spoke of His deity. The frankincense and myrrh spoke of His sacrifice and death for the sins of the world.
What gifts do you bring to Jesus this Christmas? Have you given Him your heart and life? “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears my voice, and opens unto me, I will come into him, and sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
Have you given Jesus your worship as the wise men did on bended knee? What gift do you give to Jesus? After all, whose birthday is it anyway?
Jesus said that when you feed the hungry, minister to the stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison, minister to the orphans and widows, “. . . Insomuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:34-46)
When you buy and exchange gifts this Christmas, ask yourself “What did I give to Jesus?” Perhaps we should forego our own wants and wishes and dedicate our gifts to Jesus. Possibly giving to your church missions projects, to a food pantry, to a hurting or needful neighbor or friend, a homeless shelter, the angel tree for the children of prisoners, the Right to Life program, a crisis pregnancy center, or victims of violence in their homes. What about being a big brother or sister to a fatherless child or ringing bells for the Salvation Army?
Ask God “What can I give to you in love, honour, and worship of the Christ of Christmas?” The most important thing is your life. May Christ’s gift of death on a cruel cross for your sins and mine not be in vain for you and others who pass Him by while giving gifts to themselves without thought of Christ.
You can experience the true joy of Christmas:
A. Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
B. Believe in Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
C. Confess and leave your sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Not Only on Christmas Day Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:
Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.
And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.
Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.
Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.
Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful of how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.
Like my risen Saviour
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You've done.
So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequaled in Your worth.
I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
"Come, good and faithful servant,"
Your Master says, "Well done."
And may heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only on Christmas Day!
Christmas Eve!
Two thousand years,
have already gone by
Since Jesus was nailed,
on a cross to die!
His teachings were done,
by words and deed.
Thousands would listen,
and thousands would heed.
The words of His wisdom,
and that of God.
As many miles,
on foot He trod.
Let Peace be on earth,
would be His command,
Nothing less than this
should we demand!
On the Eve of His birth,
let us all be blessed.
And thank God above
He finished His quest.
Let us all stand together,
as brother and friend.
And pledge our love and respect
to a world without end.
Together we stand,
in joy and in sorrow.
and praise the birth of Jesus
with the light of tomorrow!
Christmas
Christmas is a special time, a time when people give,
People come together, no matter where they live.
They share a Christmas meal, and a gift or two,
With neighbours, friends and family; some with workmates too.
Christmas is the time, for trees with lights that shine,
Decorated with baubles, and tinsels that intertwine.
A time for singing carols, giving cards as well,
But the reason for the season, is what I now will tell!
Christmas is the time of Hope and Joy and Love,
It’s the time that Jesus Christ came down from up above.
The mother’s name was Mary, a virgin young and pure,
Of all the women in the world, God had chosen her.
Christmas is when we celebrate, our Saviour Jesus’ birth,
Thank God for sending Him, as a baby to this Earth.
He came to Earth to save our souls, He was born to live and die,
Jesus was the Spotless Lamb, He died for you and I!
It is the time that Jesus, came down from up above.
He came to Earth to save our souls, and help us when we fall,
To see God’s will be done, it’s His name that we must call.
He came to save mankind from sin, because Adam was enticed.
At Christmas time we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, He came to Earth to live and die, to be the Spotless Lamb,
To guide us day by day, He is the Great I Am.
Celebrate at Christmas time; give thanks for what you’ve got,
Give thanks to the Father up above, for your bountiful lot.
Your abundant blessings; your family and friends,
And praise the Lord God above, that His love never ends.
Look around you and remember, all those you hold dear,
And remember that life, is full of wonderful things.
Laugh with your family and friends this Christmas by sharing these one-liners and jokes with them:
A small cute little boy regularly went to Sunday school where he learnt the stories from Bible. One Sunday, he heard the story of Three Wise Men guided by the Holy Star. His version of the story, which he told his parents after returning home, was:
"On the first Christmas, there was no Santa. So, three men had to deliver toys to baby Christ on camels. Since, they didn't have Rudolph's red nose to guide them, they used a spotlight in the sky to guide them around."
When you stop believing in Santa Claus is when you start getting clothes for Christmas.
What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? - Frostbite
What's the best thing to give your parents for Christmas? - A list of everything you want!
Where did the mistletoe go to become rich and famous? - Holly-wood.
What did Adam say on the day before Christmas? - It's Christmas, Eve
Why was Santa's little helper depressed? - Because he had low elf esteem.
Christmas is in my heart twelve months a year and thanks to credit cards, it's on my Visa card statement twelve months a year also.
Three phrases that sum up Christmas are:
Peace on Earth,
Goodwill to Men, and
Batteries not included.
Two foolish friends were searching for a suitable Christmas tree for their homes in frozen woods. After hours of harsh cold weather and exhausting but fruitless search, first said to another, "Let's just hack any tree we get, whether it's decorated or not!"
In the account of the Gospel of Luke, Mary learns from the angel Gabriel that she will conceive and bear a child called Jesus. When she asks how this can be, since she is a virgin, he tells her that the Holy Spirit would "come upon her" and that "nothing will be impossible with God". She responds: "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word".
