Miracle in the Manger

Introduction:

At the heart of Christian theology lies a profound and transformative concept—the Incarnation. This doctrine encapsulates the mysterious and awe-inspiring reality of God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ. The term "Incarnation" is derived from the Latin "incarnatio," meaning "to become flesh." In essence, it articulates the belief that the eternal and divine Word, the second person of the Trinity, took on human form and entered into the complexities of human existence.

“We acknowledge Jesus Christ as the only Son of God, the Word of God incarnate. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.” from Article 2: Jesus Christ, Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, 1995.

The roots of the Incarnation can be traced back to the biblical narrative, finding explicit expression in the opening verses of the Gospel of John: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14, ESV).

John 1:14 NIV

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This concise yet profound declaration encapsulates the essence of the Incarnation—God, the Word, taking on a tangible, mortal form to dwell intimately among humanity.

The significance of the Incarnation resonates throughout Christian theology, especially at this time of our calendar year, when we turn our thoughts and celebrations to Christmas. It addresses the fundamental question of how the infinite and transcendent God can connect with finite and fallen humanity. The Incarnation reveals a God who is not aloof or detached, but intimately involved in the human experience.

The Incarnation is not merely a historical event confined to the first-century Bethlehem; it reverberates through the corridors of time, inviting believers to encounter the living Christ everyday. The theological doctrine of the Incarnation, therefore, challenges Christians to embrace a faith that is not distant or abstract but one that recognizes the divine in the midst of the ordinary.

That’s the focus we will have for all of this Christmas— or Advent season— that God— something bigger, more, something holy— becomes something real to us— that all of God becomes like us— That the Messiah would be found in a Manger.

Today, to start this series off— our hearts will be drawn to a beautiful passage in the Gospel of Luke, where we witness an encounter between two extraordinary women—Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. This little interaction between these women— and the babies that they are carrying in their wombs---hopefully we can discover profound lessons about the power of God's presence and the blessing that comes from faith.

Let’s catch up with the story in Luke chapter 1—

Luke 1:39–40 NIV

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.

I. Mary displays quick obedience and joyful service (v.39-40)

Our passage begins with Mary, having just received the angel Gabriel's astonishing announcement, embarking on a journey to visit her relative Elizabeth. The Bible tells us that she went "in haste" or in a hurry to a town in the hill country of Judea.

Some scholars believe this could have been up to a 3 day journey. By herself, this teenager— pregnant and alone, would have taken great risk to visit her relatives. Mary's obedience is a testament to her faith and willingness to take the risk to meet Elizabeth.

a. Gabriel informed Mary that Elizabeth was pregnant also.

Traveling to meet Elizabeth would have been an encouragement to Mary, as if anyone could relate to what she was experiencing, it was Elizabeth!

Are we willing to step out in faith, even when the path seems uncertain?

I love the previous verse: it’s a classic from this story:

Luke 1:38 NIV

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary could have responded with what many call the “Song of Moses”--- Moses’ first response to the call of God was “Please choose someone else” Mary did have a question— How can this be? But Gabriel lays out a miraculous plan where she will conceive a child from God. The Messiah will be born.

When we embrace what God has ordained for us:

b. God will lead us to a place of blessing.

Mary's haste inspire us to serve the Lord with gladness, knowing that He leads us into places of blessing.

II. Revealing the unborn Savior (v. 41)

Luke 1:41 NIV

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Upon Mary's arrival, a remarkable event takes place. As Elizabeth hears Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb—John the Baptist—leaps for joy. Now I’ve never been pregnant of course, but I can only imagine what a powerful moment this would have been. This is the pinnacle moment of the role John would play in his life— but also the further confirmation these ladies would appreciate in their circumstances.

a. Mary’s (and Jesus’) arrival causes Elizabeth’s baby to leap for joy.

Saint Augustine has written a powerful commentary about this verse:

“Therefore this leaping, this greeting, so to speak, offered to the mother of the Lord is miraculous. It is to be reckoned among the great signs. It was not effected by human means by the infant, but by divine means in the infant, as miracles are usually wrought”. Letters, 187.23

Think about this— the baby inside Elizabeth— whom Elizabeth and Zechariah know will “prepare the way” for the Messiah— leaps for joy inside his mother at the very presence of Mary— who is carrying a baby that she has been told will be the Messiah!

b. John leaping in the womb is a miraculous sign to both women.

We will read that Elizabeth is then filled with the Holy Spirit and says some powerful things— but it was this little unborn baby John who was filled with the Holy Spirit first! Then his mother.

III. Blessed is the one who believes! (v. 42-43)

Luke 1:42 NIV

42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, speaks words of blessing upon Mary, saying, "Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

a. Elizabeth declares a blessing upon Mary.

Mary's faith is the key to her blessedness. She believed in the fulfillment of God's promises, even when they seemed impossible.

The lesson for us is clear—blessing is found in believing. In times of uncertainty, when circumstances seem insurmountable, our faith becomes the catalyst for God's blessings in our lives. Like Mary, let us hold fast to the promises of God, trusting that He is faithful to fulfill what He has spoken.

Luke 1:43 NIV

43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Luke 1:44 NIV

44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Luke 1:45 NIV

45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

We have two primary lessons to consider today through this story.

As we reflect on the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, their stories ignite a flame of faith and obedience within us. Let us be a people who, like Mary, respond promptly to God's call, recognize the sanctity of every life, and find our blessedness in unwavering faith.

We can live like Mary by trusting God in faith even for the impossible.

We can experience the incarnation for ourselves! There are several passages of scripture that encourage us that we too can embody the incarnation of Christ:

Galatians 2:20 NIV

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Colossians 1:27 NIV

27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

1 John 4:4 NIV

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

We can live like Elizabeth by blessing those in our life that are trusting God in faith.

In exploring the Incarnation, we dive into the mystery of God's love manifested in the person of Jesus Christ. It is an invitation to marvel at the humility of a God who chose to enter the world through a stable, walk among the marginalized, and ultimately sacrifice Himself for the sake of humanity.

The Incarnation is the tapestry that weaves together the story of God's redemptive plan, that the Messiah came first to a manger— that this is truly a miracle we get to relive and revisit each year at Christmas!

The central miracle asserted by Christians is the incarnation. They say that God became man.

C. S. Lewis