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“And the angel Gabriel came unto Mary, and said, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” Luke 1:28 

The world was in need of a Savior who could take away the sins of the world, and God sent his son, Jesus, not an angel. Jesus was sent as a gift into the world to reconcile us back to the Father so that we may have eternal life. A broken relationship between God and his creation started back in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3 and Roman 5:12. 

There was no one worthy, not even the angels, to restore us to a relationship with the Father. Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world that he would be the Lamb that would take away the sins of the world, according to John 1:29 and Roman 6:23 

Kings and queens were announced before birth, but never such a birth as Jesus’! “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,” it says in Luke 2: 8-14. 

“God has prepared a forerunner, John the Baptist, to go before Him and announce His coming. They sent an angel, Gabriel, to tell Zacharias his wife, Elisabeth, was having a baby.” Luke 1:13-20. 

Just imagine! Elisabeth was past the child-bearing age, and an angel of all persons told him that his wife would have a child, and his name was to be called John. Next, God must find a Holy place for Jesus to be born. God favored a virgin in Nazareth named Mary, and Gabriel the angel, was sent to her, according to Luke 1:26-27 and Luke 1:28-35. 

Gabriel told Mary that her cousin, Elisabeth, was six months pregnant, and Mary visited her. When Elisabeth heard Mary’s greeting immediately, John jumped in her stomach. The Bible does not say that Jesus also jumped when He heard His cousin’s voice, but I believe He jumped also with joy. 

Now, the Baby that had been announced by angels was born in a stable surrounded by animals. The Jews were looking for a King but not a baby born in a stable. Jesus tells us it does not matter where we were born because He can use us. He used a barren old woman and a virgin; just think what He can do with us. I believe that when Mary, His mother, laid Jesus in the cradle, He was smiling and happy because Jesus is Love. 

God put a star in the sky, letting the world know that the Savior was born. The star guided the Wise Men to where Jesus lay with His mother. They worshiped the small child because they knew that he was a king to a heavenly throne and gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

I believe that when the Wise Men held Jesus, He smiled, and His toes wiggled. Jesus is Love, and it must show. We cannot hide love because it is so bright. Remember when we first fell in love? How did it feel? Were we were laughing and dancing? What wonderful joy. Jesus is that, joy. 

Can you imagine; that Jesus was born in a stable and grew to be the Savior of the World? We were taught from our youth about Jesus’ birth; it continues to be passed down from generation to generation. The story will never grow old; because we know that the baby has grown, to be our redeemer and savior. What a Blessing to know Jesus as our Savior. 

Be blessed in Jesus’ name.

Mary Simmons is a columnist for The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch. She can be reached at aboxoflove37@gmail.com