Born to Us; Born to Her

“A child has been born to us; God has given a Son to us. He will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.⁷ Power and peace will be in His kingdom and will continue to grow forever. He will rule as king on David's throne and over David's kingdom. He will make it strong by ruling with justice and goodness from now on and forever. The Lord All-Powerful will do this because of his strong love for His people.” - Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah prophesied about it centuries before this. An angel came to her to explain that her child was different. But it still hadn’t all sunk in. As we read Luke 2, we see Mary quietly absorbing all that is happening around her. When the shepherds come and worship Him, we read that Mary treasured what they said in her heart and continued to think about their words. Simeon specifically addresses Mary regarding Jesus’ life, knowing that her heart will be sad because of the fate of her Child. As chapter 2 comes to a close, we again find Mary pensive and thought filled after Jesus speaks of His “Father’s business.” Mary must have known that Jesus was certainly not speaking of Joseph in that moment. And maybe then, as she “kept in her mind all that had happened”, the pieces started coming together.

This Child was clearly very special. God had revealed at least that much to her. She knew from what the angel said to her so many years before that He would be the Son of the God that she had devoted her life to. But the realization of what that meant seemed to become a little more clear in that moment in the temple.

Jesus, the Messiah, had been born. But until this point He had been her baby. Her son to feed and care for and nurture, just as any other mother would. But now He was growing – not just in stature, but in wisdom and in favor with God and man. (Verse 52) Mary began to see her Son as her Messiah, and not just a little boy in need of her love.

Luke 2 brings to life the Old Testament prophecies regarding the One who would come bringing salvation to the world. As of Luke 2:7, those prophecies aren't just lingering in the wings waiting for their debut. The Savior of the world, in the form of a helpless infant, had come. Stopping at verse 6 leaves us in the anticipation of the Old Testament saints. Stopping at verse 6 means never knowing the love of God in His greatest form – sending His Son. Thank God for verse 7. The Savior was born. Mary’s firstborn Son, so incredibly human yet so completely God, had come into the world to make all of hell shudder in His presence. But for a short moment that is eclipsed before this chapter’s end, He is a baby, wrapped in His mother’s arms.

Because we have Luke 2:7, we have salvation. We have Romans 8:38-39 and John 3:16 and John 20:21. Jesus began His ministry in Luke 2, starting with the teachers in the temple and moving to tax collectors, adulterers, the sick and the broken – people just like you and me, all in need of this Savior. Jesus came to fulfill over 300 prophecies from the Old Testament. His birth in Luke 2 was only the beginning of His work here on earth. Simply by being born He fulfilled over 20 of these prophecies! And in His death He accomplished so many more.

Isaiah prophesied about Jesus to share that a new day was coming. People who were living in darkness would now see a Light brighter than any other. In verse 1 of chapter 9 Isaiah prophesies that “suddenly” there will be no more gloom for the ones who have suffered. Those who have hung their heads in shame will be made great because of the One he foretells of in verses 6 and 7. The chapters leading up to these verses are filled with trouble – battles, fallen cities, and lies. But verse 9 offers more than a glimmer of hope amidst this trouble. Isaiah must bring the message of the Lord’s wrath and anger, but he is blessed with the honor of carrying the message of the Messiah to all who read his words. His words carry the message with hope and promise, but Luke’s words carry the truth with fulfillment and God’s glorification. The shepherds heard about Jesus, went to see Him, and immediately began to spread the news of Christ, thanking God for His revelation. Simeon saw Jesus and knew that his life was then complete. Anna saw Jesus and recognized that He was, in fact, the Son of God, and began to tell everyone she saw about Him. And all the while, Mary was taking it all in. Mary, younger than most of you reading this, but so wise and thoughtful, knew that she was watching her son and Savior grow up simultaneously, and nothing in His 33 years could have fully prepared her for His early death or victorious resurrection. But all the while, she treasured these thoughts in her heart, unwilling to let any of them slip away. Mary knew what so many now believe – a Savior had been born.

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11