The Astonishing Sovereignty of God in Jesus’ Birth

Post #4: God’s sovereignty in Jesus’ birth.

God’s sovereign plan in the birth of Jesus is a profound reminder of His control over all of history. As we journey through Advent, we reflect on the miraculous birth of Jesus—a moment that forever changed the course of history. This season brings into focus the beauty of God’s perfect timing, His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence, all on display in the birth of our Savior. As I’ve been diving into The Daily Grace Co.’s Advent study, today’s reflection has been a powerful reminder of how God’s sovereignty is evident throughout the story of Jesus’ birth.

Let’s take a deeper look at Luke 1:26-38 and explore how God’s divine attributes are displayed in this passage, continually demonstrating His sovereign control over all of history.

God’s Omniscience: His All-Knowing Nature

In Luke 1:26-28, we see God’s perfect knowledge of Mary. The angel Gabriel appears to her and calls her “highly favored” (Luke 1:28), revealing God’s understanding of her heart and character. He chose Mary not by accident but because of His all-knowing plan.

Mary is also told that her Son will be the “Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32), who will reign forever. This was not a new revelation to God—He had known this from the beginning of time. God’s omniscience is further shown in His awareness of the future, not just Mary’s role in His plan but the ultimate destiny of Jesus: His kingship, His reign, and His eternal kingdom (Luke 1:33).

Our God’s knowledge extends beyond the present, encompassing all time, and it is through this lens that we understand the birth of Jesus as part of a divine narrative unfolding since the beginning of creation.

God’s Omnipotence: His All-Powerful Nature

When Mary questions how she can conceive since she is a virgin, the angel responds with profound clarity: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). This miraculous conception points directly to God’s omnipotence—His absolute power over creation and life itself. What is impossible by human standards is not impossible for God.

This display of divine power is evident not only in the conception of Jesus but in the fact that He was born to a virgin, fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” This miraculous birth defies the laws of nature and stands as a testimony to God’s omnipotent ability to do the impossible. “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).

As we reflect on this, we’re reminded that God can do the impossible in our lives, too. No matter what struggles we face, God’s omnipotence is a source of hope—He can transform the impossible into something beautiful.

God’s Omnipresence: His Ever-Present Nature

One of the most comforting truths about God is His omnipresence—His ability to be everywhere, all at once. In Luke 1:35, we see God’s presence in action as the Holy Spirit overshadows Mary, bringing about the conception of Jesus. Not only is God present with Mary, but He is also at work in the life of her relative, Elizabeth, who is also miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist (Luke 1:36).

God’s work spans across different lives and different places. He is not confined to one location or person but is present, guiding His plan everywhere. This reminds us that God is always with us, no matter where we are or what we’re going through. He is involved in every detail of our lives, just as He was in Mary’s and Elizabeth’s.

God’s Sovereignty Over History

The story of Jesus’ birth is a powerful testament to God’s sovereignty. From the very beginning, God orchestrated every detail of Jesus’ birth, fulfilling prophecies and bringing His plans to fruition. The virgin birth itself is a fulfillment of the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

God’s sovereignty is not limited to the moment of Jesus’ birth. It spans all of history. The angel’s declaration that Jesus would reign over the house of Jacob forever and His kingdom would have no end (Luke 1:33) reflects God’s eternal plan for the world. Everything in Jesus’ life, from His birth to His death and resurrection, was part of God’s perfect design.

This reminds us that God is in control of everything. He is not surprised by the events of history or our lives. His plan is unfolding exactly as He intended, and He is sovereign over every moment.

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Born to a Virgin: A Miracle of God’s Power

Jesus’ birth was truly miraculous. Mary was a virgin, and yet she conceived a child—a fact that was physically impossible by human standards. This miracle fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, where God promises that “the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” The virgin birth ensured that Jesus was conceived without sin, emphasizing His divine nature and perfection.

This truth points us to God’s power to accomplish what seems impossible. As the angel Gabriel assured Mary, “nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Through the virgin birth, God showed that His plans cannot be thwarted by natural laws. He is the Creator of all, and He has the power to bring His plan of salvation to fruition in the most miraculous ways.

The Holy Spirit’s Role: Divine Intervention in Jesus’ Conception

In Luke 1:35, the angel tells Mary that “the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” This overshadowing mirrors the creative power of the Holy Spirit seen in Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit hovered over the waters during creation. The Holy Spirit’s work in Mary’s life was necessary for the miraculous conception of Jesus.

This divine intervention emphasizes that Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was not born like any other human child; His conception was entirely supernatural, designed to bridge the spiritual and physical realms. God the Son took on human flesh, and in doing so, He was able to fulfill His mission of salvation for us.

A Physical Body for the Spirit of God: The Incarnation

The incarnation of Jesus—God becoming man—is one of the most profound mysteries of our faith. In Hebrews 10:5, we read, “A body you prepared for me.” Through Mary’s obedience and the work of the Holy Spirit, a physical body was formed for Jesus, enabling the eternal Word to dwell among us (John 1:14). This supernatural act bridged the gap between humanity and God, allowing Jesus to experience life as we do, yet without sin.

This moment is a powerful reminder of God’s immense love for us. He did not stay distant or aloof but chose to enter our world and live among us. Jesus’ birth is the fulfillment of God’s plan to bring salvation to His people, and it is a display of His sovereignty over all creation.

A Season of Trust in God’s Sovereignty

As we reflect on the birth of Jesus this Advent season, we see God’s attributes of omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence on full display. The miraculous conception of Jesus is a testament to God’s all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present nature. His sovereignty is evident in every part of the story—revealing His control over all of history and the unfolding of His plan of salvation.

As we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, let us be reminded that God is in control. His plan for our lives is good, and we can trust Him to do the impossible, just as He did in the birth of Jesus.

Stay wildly faithful.
xoxox, Erin

Want to Dig Deeper?

If you’re following along with this Advent Reflection Series, we highly encourage you to check out the Daily Grace Co Advent Digital Study to enrich your understanding of this season. It’s a great way to deepen your connection with the true meaning of Advent.

Purchase the Digital Advent Study from Daily Grace Co (non-affiliate link)

If you missed our previous posts in our Advent series, click here to read more reflections on this study.