Advent Season · Fourth Sunday of Advent · Year B
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
December 20, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
The mention of “the sixth month” in 1:26, 36 ties this episode in closely with the preceding one (note “five months” in 1:24), and the angel’s news about Elizabeth (1:36) keeps the two angelic announcements closely linked, thus preparing for the meeting of the two pregnant mothers in 1:39–56. The similar announcements to Zechariah and to Mary by the same angelic messenger prepare the reader for the parallel accounts of the births of John and Jesus in 1:57–66 and 2:1–20. But there is also a significant escalation between the two announcements, both in the status of the one to be born (prophetic forerunner as compared with Son of God) and in the scale of the miracle involved (a woman beyond normal childbearing years compared with a virgin without sexual intercourse).
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Luke 1:26-38 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary scholarship keying on Gabriel's promise that nothing will be impossible with God and on Mary's model of faithful consent.
Luke 1:26-38 Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed commentary that reads the annunciation as a biblical type-scene and mines its surprise and grace for the sermon.
Let It Be SALT Project
An ecumenical commentary framing Mary's yes and the upside-down mercy that runs through Luke's Gospel.
Gospel Reflection, Fourth Sunday of Advent (B) Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
A Catholic reflection on Gabriel's word to Mary and God's long, providential faithfulness to the line of David.
Like Mary Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church
An Episcopal sermon on Mary's trust and her answer, 'Here am I, the servant of the Lord.'
Luke 1 Enduring Word · David Guzik
An evangelical verse-by-verse commentary on Luke 1 with practical notes on the annunciation scene.
Classic commentaries on Luke 1 BibleHub
A classic aggregator stacking many public-domain commentaries on the annunciation verse by verse.
Background & Word Study
The God of Impossible Pregnancies Left Behind and Loving It
A word-by-word Greek reading of Luke 1:26-38 for preachers who want the text beneath the translation.
The Annunciation to Mary in Luke 1 Psephizo · Ian Paul
A close study of the annunciation, its Old Testament roots, and its deliberate parallels with the announcement to Zechariah.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What happens at the Annunciation?
The angel Gabriel tells Mary she will bear the Son of the Most High, who will reign forever; the Holy Spirit will overshadow her, and Mary answers with her yes.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Luke 1:26-38
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.