Events Leading to the Birth of Jesus

Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

The angel Gabriel, the same angel that announced the birth of John to Zacharias and Elisabeth, now comes to Elisabeth's cousin, Mary. It was the sixth month, the sixth month of Elisabeth's pregnancy.

Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Luke 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

A frightful thing to see an angel, and this one was praising her, now that is really strange. Hail, thou that art highly favored. She was given grace as we receive grace from God. She did not give grace to others, she is not queen of heaven, no, she was a humble Jewish virgin given grace and chosen by the LORD. The LORD is with thee, he has chosen Mary for a most blessed honor. Out of all women she was chosen to bear God's son, the Messiah.

Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Immanuel means God, the one true God, Jehovah. He would also be called Jesus,
meaning: Jehovah is Salvation.

Out of all the virgins of Israel, past and present,she was the most favored of God. She was the virgin that Isaiah prophesied of. She had heard this prophesy from the teachings in the temple. Many today are praying to angels and being told new things in dreams and visions from angels, no, we are not to do this. We pray to the Father, our God, in Jesus' name. Anything we hear from an angel must have been spoken of in the scriptures. We are led by the Holy Spirit and served and protected by the angels. The false book of the Mormons was supposedly given by an angel.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.


Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

The child to be born after John is the eternal Son of God, come in a human body. The Word of God, would take on the form of a human being; a baby born of a virgin who would grow into a man and be our savior from sins.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Mary, was engaged to a man, but no relations were to occur until after one year. Both Joseph and Mary, were from the house of David the king. Through king David was to come an everlasting king; this was Jesus; the son of man, heir of king David an earthly king and the Spirit Son of the Most High God; fully man and fully God.

Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

How shall this be that I should have a son as you said? "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:" For I have not been intimate with a man. The normal age for a betrothal to be married at this time was thirteen or fourteen years of age. Mary was so young and inexperienced and innocent. She asked with faith and sincerity.

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The Holy Ghost shall overshadow you, this word literally means, that a cloud will envelop you. The Shekinah glory cloud of God. The same cloud that came to Moses. We think we understand how a baby comes, but never was a baby born by the Spirit of God, only one other was so born; Adam. This baby would be conceived of the Holy Ghost, the second Adam, born of a virgin.

1 Cor 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

The angel makes mention of another miracle baby, conceived in the normal way, but of elderly parents. Her cousin Elisabeth was six months pregnant with a son; John the Baptist. He was full of the Holy Ghost from birth. Would it not be logical that Jesus, Son of God would also be filled with the Holy Spirit, or perhaps it is enough to say he was God in the womb? The bread of life in the "bread basket." Great wonders would come from these two sons and great sorrows, turned to joy. The living life giver would experience all the pain and suffering of a human and come forth victorious over the devil and the grave as the Living Son of God. With God, nothing is impossible. His promises he will fulfill.

Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Mary submits as a woman servant of the master. May it come about according to your words spoken. Mary believed the spoken word and submitted herself as an obedient servant. This is what the Lord wants from each of us, to be willing servants, believing and obeying his word. Then we shall also say, with God nothing is impossible.

Luke 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
Luke 1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

In the days following the angels announcing that she would be with child, by the Holy Spirit. It was then the sixth month of Elisabeth's pregnancy with John, the Baptist.

Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

A reaction shared from John to his mother, a quickening of the Holy Ghost. The babe leaped in the presence of Jesus, within Mary; and Elizabeth spoke by the Holy Ghost.

Luke 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Luke 1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Luke 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Luke 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Elisabeth prophesies a blessing to Mary, through the Holy Ghost. Keep believing Mary, for God will perform what he has promised. This is for us to remember, keep believing, for God's word is true. If we do what he requests of us, he is faithful to perform his promises to us. Miracles are an evidence of his presence, and salvation; with new life and healing.

Luke 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luke 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Mary exalts the LORD for His favor towards her. Her exaltation is similar to the words of Hannah.

Luke 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Luke 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

Mary sings praises to God. Magnifying the LORD, rejoicing in God her saviour, for he has regarded her low estate. Mary was not claiming to be mother of God, or Queen of heaven. She looked to God for salvation and considered herself to be a humble person. But, by the grace of God she was highly favored to be chosen to be the birth mother of the human Jesus; son of man, son of God.

Luke 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Luke 1:51 He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Luke 1:52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

The words of Hannah, the mother of Samuel who also had a miracle birth.

1 Sam 2:1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
1 Sam 2:2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
1 Sam 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Luke 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Hannah

1 Sam 2:7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
1 Sam 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them.

Mary

Luke 1:54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
Luke 1:55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

She magnified the LORD, giving him glory. As Elisabeth had spoken by the Holy Ghost, so does Mary. These things were not the words of a young woman so much as the inspired word of God. God would bless this humble young woman who trusted in his words.

Luke 1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Mary probably stayed with Elisabeth until the time that her baby was delivered and then returned to her home in Nazareth of Galilee.