Deeper Reflection
This is the second time the angel Gabriel was sent to bear good news regarding a coming baby boy. The first time was regarding the birth of John the Baptist. This time the angel announced to the virgin Mary her coming birth of a son, Jesus, who will be the future King of Israel. The name “Jesus” – a name which in Hebrew is Yeshua (or Joshua) – means “Yahweh saves”²⁰. He is “the Son of the Most High” (v.32; cf. “the Son of God”, Lk 1:35).We are told that Mary was betrothed to a man named Joseph, who was a descendant of King David. We see in the birth of Jesus the fulfilment of the promise that a descendant of David will one day arise as king and rule over God’s people forever (2 Sam 7:8-13, 16). God was fulfilling His promise of a Messiah who would come to save His people from their sins and to return them back to a right relationship and favour with God again. That Messiah is Jesus, who will reign as King over God’s people, and whose throne and Kingdom shall last forever. Every Christmas season brings new hope to God’s people in the present times, with the reminder that God is faithful to His promises and, through the faithful proclamation of the Gospel by “ordinary” Christians, God continues to save sinners who believe in His Son Jesus Christ and bring them into Jesus’ Kingdom.

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²⁰ Cf. Matthew 1:21.