All four Gospels bear witness to the supernatural person and work of Jesus Christ, but only the first and third testify explicitly to his supernatural conception and birth. The accounts given in Matthew and Luke are clearly independent of each other, but both unambiguously affirm that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, through the direct action of the Holy Spirit and without the intervention of a human father.
Luke's Gospel is notable for its distinctive songs, strikingly reminiscent of the Psalms. Chief among these are Mary's song, the Magnificat, Zechariah's song, the Benedictus, the Angels' song, the Gloria in excelsis, and Simeon's song, the Nunc dimittis.
Together, they have nourished the prayer and meditation of countless Christians, and enriched the church's worship. They are full of prophetic hope, eager expectation, and joyful thanksgiving. God's great redemptive work is moving to its climax with the birth of the Saviour, Jesus, Son of the Most High. Luke's 'gospel of the incarnation' was good news to all who, like the representatives of the old Israel, looked for Messiah's first advent; it is good news to all who, today, look for his second.
