Behold (1)

'Behold.' This is the usual harbinger in matters concerning Christ. The word has a threefold force. First as a thing presented to the eye of faith. Second the word gets our attention, for it announces a matter of great concern. Third, not only attention, but also our admiration. For it announces a strange and admirable thing. For what stranger thing is there than that a virgin should conceive, that a virgin should be a mother, and that God should become man. We need strong grace to apprehend these strange things. God has provided the suitable grace. A grace above reason, and above nature, and that grace is faith.
'Behold, a virgin shall conceive.' Why a virgin? When God is to be born, it is fitting for a virgin to be the mother. Christ was not to come by the ordinary means of propagation. He was to come from Adam but not by Adam. He was conceived and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, for he had to be without spot or sin when he offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of others.
'Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.' He was conceived as we are, born as we are born, he was hungry, thirsty, and suffered as we. He was like us in all things, except sin. He was a man like us, but he was an extraordinary man. He was conceived, but of a virgin. He was born as we are, but his star appeared, and the wise men came to worship him. He was poor as we are, but he could command a fish to furnish him (Matt. 17:27). He died as we die, but he made the 'earth to quake, the veil of the temple to rend' when he triumphed on the cross (Matt. 27:51). All which declared he was more than an ordinary person. Our response must be to conceive Christ by faith and bear Christ in our words and actions. Our whole outward life must be nothing but a revealing that Christ lives in us. As Paul said, 'I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me' (Gal. 2:20).

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Miracle of Miracles, Works, vol. 7, pp. 109-11
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