Pastor Mark Loest
Immanuel Lutheran Church of Frankentrost
Saginaw, Michigan
Advent Midweek 3 (December 19, 2007) Text: Luke 2:26-38 (ESV)

Midweek Advent 2007 - Holy Spirit audio

In the Creed, Christmas makes only a brief appearance, and that is under the Second Article, with the words, “who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.” But it is a significant appearance because it is an important part of the person and work of Christ—who He is and what He has done. Thus Christmas is part of the holy Christian and Apostolic faith, and is given a prominent place on the Church’s calendar of Feasts.

The Creed’s Christmas, however, is not the Christmas to which we are accustomed. No bustling Bethlehem and inn with a “no vacancy” sign; no stable or manger; no shepherds or star. That there is a baby is revealed by the words “conceived” and “born.” Christ’s conception and birth was unlike that of any other man—with the sole exception of Adam—who was also not conceived by a human father, but whose genealogy tells us that His father was God, and that God breathed into Him His Spirit and Adam became a living soul.

Christ’s conception results in the Incarnation. God becomes man. The incarnation is therefore work of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, the Person of the Godhead of whom the Third Article treats. Christmas is about God sending His Son into the world to redeem mankind, and the Holy Spirit is the Person who sees to it.

It is the work of God’s Spirit that makes holy—therefore, we are told—“the child to be born will be called holy.” Now, Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit when the angel Gabriel spoke the Word of God to the Virgin Mary and, by the same Spirit’s power, she believed it.

Had Eve disregarded the devil’s word, we would’ve not been lost. That Mary believed the Word of God: we are saved. For God saves through faith. It is the Spirit Who gives faith which believes the word of God and is credited to us as righteousness. Mary hears the Word from Gabriel and believes it. She believes the Word and the Savior comes to her and to all mankind. And, while this conception by the Holy Spirit is powerful and holy, it is also one of deep humiliation. To be pregnant without a husband was humbling for Mary, yet because her child was the Son of the Most High, she is exalted above all other women.

That Mary asked how it was possible that she was pregnant is not a sign of doubt or unbelief. It is like Moses at the burning bush asking God, “who shall I tell the Children of Israel sent me? What is your name?” and John the Baptizer sending his followers to Jesus asking, “Are you the one, or shall we expect another?”

It was not for their benefit but for the benefit of their hearers. Mary doesn’t ask for her benefit, but for the benefit of others, who will ask her how it is that she is pregnant. And she is told to give them a sign to believe. That sign is that in her old age Elizabeth is pregnant. Nothing is impossible with God. Mary believes this Word and it happens to her as the angel said: God Incarnate, the Word became flesh.

Only by the power of the Holy Spirit is such receiving of the Word possible. And so it is by faith that Mary receives her Lord. Human reason and strength cannot comprehend or grasp the things of God. We cannot believe, come to saving knowledge, nor have faith by our own reason or strength. It is the Holy Spirit who calls us by the Gospel.

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ,” Paul reminds us in Romans 10:17 (ESV)

And that Word of Christ is none other than the Gospel. That Christ came into the world to suffer and die on our behalf; and that on the cross He carried all our sins and the sins of the whole world; and that believing He has done this for us we have life and salvation in His name: that is the Gospel. 

Christ’s conception by the Holy Spirit marked the beginning of His humiliation for our sake and for our salvation, and was for many, a scandal.

“Is not this Joseph’s son?” asked those who later refused to believe in Him. “Blessed is he who is not offended by me,” He would tell the crowds listening to Him.

Those who are scandalized by Christ are either offended by His humanity, or His divinity. The Jew will not have the Son of Man, while the Moslem refuses to believe in the Son of God. Christ may be a great teacher, or a great prophet, but they will not accept Him as the Son of God.

And among Christians, no less, are those who deny that the finite is incapable of the infinite. That the divine can cover itself with humanity. That the Creator would robe himself in creation. That our Lord is present not just spiritually, but mysteriously bodily present as God and man Jesus Christ—giving to us His very body and blood in the Sacrament.

Little wonder those churches which have rejected the virgin birth and the divinity of Christ grossly sin on issues such concerning life, like abortion and euthanasia; sexuality, like homosexuality and same-sex marriage; and the role of women in the church including the Office of Pastor. Their false theologies deny the Incarnation and the work of each Person of the Trinity to bring about our salvation and in instead embrace the “un-incarnation” of the serpent in the Garden, men becoming as gods.

Man cannot rise up to God. He must condescend to us.

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you,” the angel said. In this regard, both Mary and the Christ are passive. The Son submits to the will of the Father. Mary yields to the Word.

It is not just a matter of the body, but also of the will—of discipline. Little wonder then, that medieval artists painted the Annunciation of Mary with her in study and reading a prayerbook as the angel Gabriel came to her.

Jesus also received the Spirit in a manner far more completely than we ever could have received. By the power of the Holy Spirit He was conceived of the Virgin Mary. By the same Spirit Christ grew in wisdom and stature; was anointed in full measure at His Baptism. Christ gave up the Spirit at His crucifixion; and then was raised by the Holy Spirit and breathed the Spirit upon His disciples in His resurrection. Now He has poured out His Spirit for all time upon His Church at Pentecost.

The work of the Holy Spirit is to Sanctify—to make holy. This is what Christmas offers to them who hear the Word of God and believe it. To all who rejoice in the words that God’s favor rests upon them. Whether Elizabeth or Zachariah; Mary or Joseph; Simeon or Anna; Shepherds or Kings. Christ promises us His good gifts and Spirit.

You can lead people to the stable, but you can’t make them believe. That is the work of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens with his gifts, sanctifies and keeps us in the true faith. To that end He has His Means of Grace.

May God grant that His Spirit enliven our hearts with such faith that, especially during these final days of Advent and before Christmas, we receive His Word joyfully and with thanksgiving, and through repentance make room in our hearts for His Son, that He may have an everlasting place therein. Amen.