God had created Adam in His likeness, but by the time of the Roman occupation of Israel, there was little about mankind that reflected the glory of their Creator. The time of God’s intervention had come!
“The fullness of time” referred to in Galatians 4:4-5 reaffirms that the time was right for the next stage of God’s prophetic word. God sent his son Jesus. He was the ‘son of God’, but he was also ‘son of man’ because he was “born of a woman”. His birth was unique!
The Gospel of Luke provides a wonderful account of the birth of Jesus. The events begin with the miraculous birth of John the Baptist who who calls attention to the Messiah! Luke provides the details regarding the child born to a virgin who is of the ‘house of David’, Luke 1:27. They were instructed that her child be given the name “Jesus” – signifying ‘Savior of Yah’, Matthew 1:21. Other important links to the Old Testament passages are made in reference to this child: he is to be the ‘son of the highest’ and ‘the throne of his father David’, and of the ‘house of Jacob’ and ‘of his kingdom there shall be no end’, Luke 1:32,33. These phrases are drawn from Isaiah 9:6,7. This ‘child’ will indeed be the Christ, now to be born to Mary.
There is also a link made to Abraham, Luke 1:54,55. Again, the prophetic words of the priest Zachariah (John the Baptist’s father) shows there was also a national anticipation among the Jews of a coming Messiah. Their heritage was bound to this Hope from the beginning. Luke 1:68-73.
The birth of Jesus brings joy, not only for the people who witnessed it but also among the angels in heaven, Luke 2:10-12. The song of the angels ascribed glory to God, and a time of peace on earth, Luke 2:13,14 The unfolding plan of God continues in his son Jesus.
Luke 2:21-24 Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus to the temple to be circumcised specified under the law and as a descendant of Abraham, Genesis 17:10.
Jesus grows from a child and demonstrates the characteristics of his Heavenly Father. He is blessed with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him, Luke 2:40. There is one record of Jesus as a 12 year old boy who went with his family to celebrate the passover in Jerusalem and was later found listening to and asking questions of the leaders in the temple, Luke 2:46,47. Again, Luke confirms that he continues to grow in favor with God and men, Luke 2:52.