A VIRGIN & DESCENDING ANGELS Luke 1:26-38

As Jesus Himself proclaimed to Nathaniel, heaven's staircase touching ground would be signaled by divine revelation and angelic activity. We were introduced to one of the these emissaries of glory with the prophecy delivered to Zechariah of a son to be born in his old age. The angel heralding the conception of John the Baptist was Gabriel and 6 months later he appears again to the virgin Mary. This time he proclaims that the Son of the Most High – eternal heir to the throne of David and the house of Jacob; Jesus Himself, will be born to this humble fiance of Joseph. Gabriel is busy these days and little wonder as the incarnation is upon us. Daniel 9:24-27 was the last recorded appearance of Gabriel in the days of the prophet before this New Covenant era, yet the word of God he delivered in all 3 cases indicates his ministry was to proclaim the answer to the heart cry for redemption and atonement of the elect from time immemorial. In our text today, we are on the very threshold of heaven's stairway as the Son of the Most High, the Son of God is conceived in the womb of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. If there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10), how much excitement must there have been in the realms of glory when Gabriel comes bearing the report that Mary has submitted as servant of the Lord to the miraculous pregnancy whereby sinners might be reconciled to a Holy God through the Gospel born by incarnation! Evidence of the rejoicing heavens will overflow to earth in 9 short months when angelic hosts announce the birth of Jesus over Bethlehem's manger. Let us listen in as Mary first hears the news...