“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Think about the birthdays you celebrate. In addition to your own, and those of family and friends, we also occasionally celebrate the birthdays of famous people. But we don’t remember them as little babies or focus on the story of their birth. We remember them only as grown men or women.

Now, think about Jesus. It’s different with Jesus because His identity and greatness were foretold before He was born. In addition to remembering Him as an adult we also rightly focus on his special birth. Consider the angel Gabriel’s interaction with Mary recorded in Luke chapter one. Of all babies ever born it makes Jesus’ birth unique.

Mary was understandably afraid when Gabriel appeared. “But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”” (Luke 1:31-32a) Wow! Think about what Gabriel is saying:  Jesus is no ordinary baby. He is the Son of God!

““How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:34-35)

Jesus didn’t just happen to be born. He was chosen by God before the creation of the world. Jesus’ birth is unique. It’s a story of fulfillment, a story of hope, a story of promise, and a story of God’s faithfulness. And it was announced before it happened.