We live in a World of designer "Knockoffs". There are knock off Prada, Oakley, Gucci, and Louis Vutton. The truth is that you can surf the Internet or hit any flea market and you are guaranteed to find some knock off for any designer or name brand that you desire. I remember in College I went to the local Pawn shop and purchased a fake Rolex. This thing looked real as could be on the outside. The problem was that after about three months the thing stopped working. It may have bore the "Rolex" name but the truth is the quality and craftsmanship were lacking. Now during Christmas we focus on the "Baby Jesus", the one so cute and cuddly. But the truth is that maybe we treat Jesus like a "knockoff" item. You see the problem with the knockoff is not the appearance but it is the lasting quality and lifetime guarantee that come with the high price tag of an authentic item. You see Jesus did not stay and infant but he grew into an example for us to try to emulate. Yet so often after Christmas is over we put Jesus away with the decorations. he is but a distant memory and good thought that we will pull out of the attic again next year. But this verse lends itself to some words that show not only the excitement of the birth but the authenticity of this miracle. One of God's greatest attributes is being authentic and never doing anything the same way.

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[c] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

This week we will look at these four descriptions to look at how we know Jesus is the real deal and not just some knock off Savior that has led to a lot of hype but no delivery. We will see how a young girl pledged to be married found what see was looking for. She not only found it but she carried and brought him into the world. Still haven't found what you are looking for? This week you just might find the real deal. No, knockoffs here.