Matthew 1:18-25
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother, Mary, was pledged in marriage to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to divorce her privately. But as he was considering these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son. And they will name him Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.” When Joseph woke up from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took Mary home as his wife, but he was not intimate with her until she gave birth to her firstborn son. And he named him Jesus.
Dear Lord Jesus,
You came to us veiled in a human body for the purpose of saving us from all our sins. Your birth was so miraculous and incredible God took on flesh. And as true God—with your heavenly Father from all eternity—you came into this world to live among us, living a holy life and then crediting us with your righteousness. You also suffered our punishment on the cross for all our sins.
To think you who created mankind used this family of David to be born into the world, taking on the frailty, the dependency of a human child. So that you would be able to serve and save us, we hear and focus our attention on Mary and her travels to Bethlehem that first Christmas. However, your mother also cared for all your needs like any other infant, nursing and bathing you. Moreover, we also forget about Joseph, your stepfather. Like Joseph of the Old Testament, he was sold into slavery in Egypt to save his life; later, as second to Pharaoh, he spared his family, Israel, from famine. Your earthly father, the other Joseph, was there to protect you and your mother; he assisted Mary in raising you. So let’s not forget how he, too, went to Egypt to save and protect you.
Lord, we thank you for coming into this world to save us from all our sins. We pray that you will strengthen our faith this Christmas by hearing the words of your nativity. Keep us in your word so the Holy Spirit you send will work and increase our trust in you. Thank you for the forgiveness of sins you have won for us in your holy life and innocent death. Allow us to share this gift, the good news of our forgiveness, with those who do not know you. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
God protected his Son through the means of an earthly family, Israel, Mary, and Joseph. So that he could save the world through his life and death, and we would receive comfort in Jesus’ resurrection.