2013 Advent Devotions from the Lutheran Hour Ministries – Tuesday, 24 December 2013 "Becoming Human" Read Luke 1

2013 Advent Devotions from the Lutheran Hour Ministries – Tuesday, 24 December 2013 "Becoming Human" Read Luke 1: The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”[a] 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 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 ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”[b] 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[c] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Footnotes:

a. Luke 1:28 Other ancient authorities add Blessed are you among women

b. Luke 1:34 Gk I do not know a man

c. Luke 1:35 Other ancient authorities add of you. Text: And the Word became flesh (see John 1:14).

Go to your nearest manger scene and carefully study Baby Jesus. Does He have a halo around His head? Artists often include a halo to remind us this isn't just any human baby. This is the eternal Son of God who became one of us.

Up until this 14th verse John has been describing the Child of Christmas, according to His divine nature as the Son of God. He is the mighty Word of God, the eternal Son. Everything in heaven and earth was created through Him. He is the Light of men. Now, as John reaches the pivotal moment in all human history, he tells us, "The Word became flesh." In that great, unfathomable mystery, Jesus takes our human nature into His divinity: He is conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

That is the mystery of Christmas-the majesty of God's gracious plan. To save us from our sin, God's Son became human just like us. As a human He could place Himself under God's Law and earn our place in heaven by His perfect life. As a human He could take our place under God's wrath, suffering and dying for our sins and disobedience. Being God His shed blood was able to pay for the sins of the whole world. Being God He could-and did-defeat Satan, sin and hell for all of us.

From the manger to the cross and empty tomb He experienced life's highs and lows: cold and heat, hunger and thirst, a mother's embrace, the companionship of friends, the ridicule and persecution of enemies, the agony of death on a cross ... and the satisfaction of rising to life again on the third day.

THE PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, thank You for Your incredible humility in stooping down to become human. This You did so that we might be adopted as sons and daughters of Your Heavenly Father. Amen.”

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Mail:

Lutheran Hour Ministries

660 Mason Ridge Center Drive

St. Louis, MO 63141 United States

Telephone: (800)876-9880

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