A Savior Has Been Born

Time Out for God
Devotional Ministry

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son and will call Him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

The Prophet Isaiah wrote that a virgin would be with Child and would give birth to a Son, and He would be called Immanuel, which means God with us. He later said:

“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

Isaiah never saw the prophesy fulfilled in his lifetime, because the birth of the Savior came centuries later. Then God sent the angel Gabriel to deliver a message to a young virgin named Mary, who was pledged to marry a man named Joseph, who was a descendent of David.

The angel told Mary that she was highly favored and the Lord was with her. Mary was troubled at his words and curious as to what kind of greeting this was. He went on to tell her she would be with child and give birth to a Son, and she was to name Him Jesus. He also told her that her Son would be great and be called the Son of the Most High. She didn’t understand how all of this could be because she had never known a man and the angel said to her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Holy Spirit would overshadow her.

Probably to enforce his words, the angel Gabriel said that her relative Elizabeth was going to have a child at that time in her old age because nothing was impossible with God. It was clear from his words that the same would be for true for Mary.

Mary did not hesitate after she heard what was spoken and answered with:

“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
Luke 1:38

All seemed to be peaceful as the angel departed, but when Mary’s betrothed heard the news, he was skeptical that an angel had come with news that she would carry God’s Son. So out of respect for her, Joseph decided to break his commitment to Mary.

At that time Mary hurried on to a town in the hill country of Judea and spent three months with her cousin Elizabeth. As Mary entered the home and Elizabeth heard her greeting, suddenly Elizabeth’s child leaped with joy within her. Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied with a loud voice:

“… Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Child you will bear … Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” [See passage at Luke 1:42-45]

Mary’s heart burst with joy and she said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me–holy is His name.” [See passage at Luke 1:46-55]

After that time, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the Name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” [See passage at Matt. 1:20-25]

When Joseph awoke, he didn’t delay but did exactly as the angel commanded him in the dream and went to find Mary to take her home as his wife.

A little while later, to do as the law required, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, the town of David, to register. Mary knew that her time was at hand, but when they tried to find a place to lay their heads for the night, they found only a stable.

After the Infant was born that night, there were shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. Suddenly an angel appeared to them and said:

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11

Suddenly a heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:14

When the angels had gone back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another:

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:15

So they hurried into the town and found Mary and Joseph at the stable along with the precious baby Jesus who had been placed in a manger.

When the shepherds had seen the Baby, they spread the Good News concerning what had been told them about the Child. All who heard it were amazed. Then the Shepherds returned to the fields, glorifying and praising God because all the things they were told had been true.

This tiny Baby, so meek and mild, who had been born that holy night was destined to be King of kings and Lord of lords and would reign forever and ever and His kingdom would never end. A Savior had been born to save and redeem us from our sins. Oh what a Savior! Oh hallelujah! A Savior has been born to us who is Christ the Lord!

Prayer: Father, we come to you today thanking you for the marvelous Gift of Jesus who came to all mankind to save us from our sins. Thank you for your lovingkindness in sending Him from heaven in all its majesty and beauty to shine His light into this dark world. Once we were walking in darkness and the Savior of the world came to bring us out of the land of the shadow of death into His marvelous light! (Is. 9:2) Your praise will continually be in our mouths for the Gift of your one and only Son. We worship your Son just as the shepherds and wise men did so many years ago. Here we are to worship and give Him honor. Here we are to bow down. Glory to God!