Jesus Christ has been controversial since the moment He was conceived. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 35 Q. What does it mean that he “was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary”? A. That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God, took to himself, through the working of the Holy Spirit, from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, a truly human nature so that he might become David’s true descendant, like his brothers in every way except for sin. Summary Imagine how terrified Mary, probably 11 or 12 years old here, felt when Gabriel, one of God's chief angels, appeared before her. Luke, who is somewhat known for his dry sense of humor in how he reported the facts in his gospel and the book of Acts, writes that Mary was 'greatly troubled' and that she 'wondered what kind of greeting this might be.' I'll bet she wondered! My guess is that Gabriel's announcement that she was 'highly favored' and that the 'Lord is with you' didn't immediately take root in her mind. She was probably too flabbergasted for it to register. But as if those opening announcements weren't shocking enough, the next thing Gabriel said would have pushed most people completely over the edge. Mary would bear a child - but not just an ordinary child - one who would be called 'the Son of the Most High.' Somehow Mary is able to gather her wits at this point and push back on Gabriel a bit. Everything she'd been taught about the birds and the bees argued against what she was being told. She was a virgin, and this sort of thing doesn't happen to girls like her! Gabriel's reply probably made sense to him, but imagine what it would be like for Mary to hear that she would become pregnant when the power of the Holy Spirit of the Most High would overshadowed her. I wonder, did those words comfort her or terrify her more? But Gabriel still has one more shock for Mary. It turns out that barren old Aunt Elizabeth had been pregnant for six months now. Dig Deeper The doctrine of the virgin birth is one of the most doubted and disbelieved in all of Christian history. Some people have denied it because they deny all of the supernatural and miraculous claims the Bible makes, but others seem to be willing to accept many of the Bible's miracles, but draw the line at a virgin conceiving a child. No doubt young Mary struggled with these doubts as well. Think of how she must of tossed and turned at night wondering who in the world would believe her story. It was even too much for Joseph, until Gabriel showed up to set him straight at least. As we're going to see this week, the doctrine of the virgin birth is not just some Biblical oddity that you can take or leave. In fact, your entire salvation depends on this bizarre sounding account being true. Mary's resolve seems to strengthen upon hearing the last thing Gabriel said to her: For no word from God will ever fail (v37) Look at how Mary aligns her life with God's will after hearing this. "I am the Lord's servant," she said. Make sure your life models Mary's faithfulness, even when God's will seems shocking or contrary to everything you thought you knew. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, whose will often looks so different than what we expect. ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray the words Mary prays upon hearing this shocking news: "May your word to me be fulfilled." ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - James 3

BibleHub.com Genesis 3:1–7 (NIV) 3   Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the 2  The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,  3  but God did say Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Article 1: The Effect of the Fall on Human Nature Human beings were originally created in the image Today: Philippians 2

Romans 11:1-6 (NIV) CONTEXT: Paul is discussing why the Jewish people have rejected Christ at the end 21  ...concerning Israel Moses says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2  God did not reject Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1- 8 Article

John 3:1-8 (NIV) 3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2  He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity

Acts 15:1-21 (NIV) Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2  This brought sermons, that he still expected believers to uphold the moral parts of the law (see especially James 2 for Christians to continue to keep God's moral law and to not fall into the "error of lawlessness" (2 Today: 1 Corinthians 6

Biblia.com John 1:9–18 (ESV) 9  The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1-3 Article

Photo: Logos Bible Software Deuteronomy 6:1–9 (LSB) 1   “Now this is the commandment, the statutes and commanded me  to teach you, that you might do it  in the land where you are going over to possess it, 2 Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Summary Today's Summary and Dig Deeper posts are a modified re-post from January 1, 2024 . As you finish out 2025 and prepare for 2026, make sure placing yourself in a Bible preaching church is

Hebrews 10:1-14 (NIV) CONTEXT: Yesterday we read the passage ( Hebrews 9:22-28 ) that precedes today's the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2   Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1-2 Article Today: Matthew 27

Acts 6:1-7 - (NIV) In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2   when such persons are elected who are faithful and are chosen according to the rule that Paul gave to Timothy Today: 1 Peter 4

As you begin 2026, cast all of your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you! The Bible App 1 Peter 5:6-11 (NIV) CONTEXT: For this final week in our year long study of the Canons Amen. 2026 Unfading Truth Season Preview Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance : 2026 Unfading Truth Season Preview