21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering what was taking him so long in the temple. 22 When he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them and remained unable to speak. (Lk 1:21–22)
Every story in the Bible should be viewed in the _____________ context of God’s _____________ work in Jesus.
1. An unexpected ___________ appears to an unexpecting ___________.
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. (Lk 1:26–27)
Therefore the Lord himself will give a sign for all of you. Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and name him Immanuel. (Is 7:14)
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.” (Lk 1:28)
Sing out, daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, you daughter of Jerusalem. (Zep 3:14)
But she was greatly troubled by the statement and was wondering what kind of greeting this could be. (Lk 1:29)
An unexpected _________________________.
30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. 31 Listen, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.” (Lk 1:30–33)
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Ge 6:8)
He said, “My lord, if I have now found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.” (Ge 18:3)
He said, “If I have now found favor in your sight, Lord, please let the Lord go along with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, pardon our guilt and our sin, and accept us as your possession.” (Ex 34:9)
Therefore the Lord himself will give a sign for all of you. Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and name him Immanuel. (Is 7:14)
The Angel of the Lord said to her [Hagar, the slave of Sarah the wife of Abraham], “Listen, you are expecting a child and will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, because the Lord has heard your affliction. (Ge 16:11)
2 Now there was a certain man from Zorah, from the clan of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren. She had not given birth. 3 The Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Listen, you are barren and have not given birth, but you will become pregnant and give birth to a son. ... 24 The woman gave birth to a son, and she named him Samson. (Jdg 13:2–3, 24a)
An unexpected _____________________.
Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Lk 1:34)
The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon 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. (Lk 1:35)
Moses was not able to enter the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud stayed over it, and the Glory of the Lord filled the tent. (Ex 40:35)
36 Listen, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age even though she was called barren, and this is her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible for God.” (Lk 1:36–37)
Is anything impossible for the Lord? At the set time next year I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son.” (Ge 18:14)
Then Mary said, “See, I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. (Lk 1:38)
In fact, it is God who is working in you, both to will and to work, for the sake of his good pleasure. (Php 2:13)
8 Certainly my plans are not your plans, and your ways are not my ways, declares the Lord. 9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my plans are higher than your plans. (Is 55:8–9)
Points to Ponder
What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message?
Why is it important for you to look at these same Christmas stories each year?
How will you apply what you learned today to your life?
