Ref. Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man (upright), and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus (Literally Savior) for He will save His people from their sins.” So, all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary to be his wife, and did not know her till she brought forth her firstborn Son. And they called His name Jesus.
*Observation*
The Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream, it’s so important to note that this was not a random choice, the angel of the Lord who visited him called him, “Joseph, son of David,” indicating that he was of the birth line of David, OT king of Israel, whom God had said, would the Messiah come from. So, we know that Joseph was a man of God. And he was a carpenter, a skill that Jesus would be known for. The name Jesus is a Greek version of the Hebrew name, Joshua, which is a contraction of the name of God, Yahweh, and Shua, which means “salvation.” Shortened to Joshua it’s “God’s salvation.” His name describes His nature and reason for coming. Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies in birth and life, death, and resurrection. The gospel of Matthew points to these prophecies more than the other Gospel writers.
Today, our world is in desperate need of salvation. It is a world that is void of understanding there is a great need of spiritual help but choosing to rely on man’s resources of political and invented systems and man-made programs as solutions. This will never work, and higher education teaching it doesn’t need God. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, but even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The gospel of Christ is unseen by those who are lost, because Satan has blinded their eyes.
Our faith and trust are in the One who came to save us as “Our Immanuel, God with us.” This Christ Child grew up to fulfill His Father’s will, to die for the sins of man, and now we can know true peace, and have hope beyond the years of this life on earth. We can have eternal life as our destiny and rejoice now here today, by reminding others of God’s love for us, and having His Son, Jesus Christ inside our hearts. This Christmas season, let the light of the good news of the gospel be the shining light of all our daily activities and make His name known to our families, neighbors, and friends.
Prayer: Dear Lord, during Christmas time, we can become so busy preparing and gathering to share gifts and prepare meals with families and friends, May the Light and Love of Christ be seen in our hearts and be felt in our home, which truly enables us to share the greatest gift of Your presence “Our Immanuel” with each other. We thank You for the Greatest Gift, Jesus our Savior and Redeemer.
In His Holy name, we pray, Amen.
