All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call
him Immanuel–which means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave
birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (Matthew 1:22-25)
We discover in our verses for today fulfilled prophecy. The Savior would be
born of a virgin. God will fulfill His every Word! Jesus gives us a solemn
declaration regarding this same principle later in Matthew in the Sermon on the
Mount:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have
not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until
heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a
pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is
accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18)
Since Matthew was writing primarily to a Jewish audience, the fulfillment
of prophecy is consistently brought to the forefront. In the second chapter
alone, we discover no less than four occurrences of prophecy being fulfilled
through the life of Jesus. Matthew was ever pointing his audience to the fact
that Jesus was indeed their long awaited Messiah!
In our verses today, Matthew cites the prophecy from the pen of
Isaiah–almost word for word:
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be
with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
(Isaiah 7:14)
The Savior of the world did not come from an empress or a queen. He did not
appear with outward pomp or splendor. Rather, leaving His glory behind, He
arrives in the womb of a poor young virgin, a reflection of spiritual purity.
The highest and holiest entered this world through the most humble of doors.
The name “Immanuel” assures the people of God’s continued presence. To be
sure, He is a “with us” God! Isn’t that wonderful news? The writer of Hebrews
affirms this:
"God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So
we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can
man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:5-6)
God’s encouraging Word through the Prophet Isaiah comes to mind: "So
do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right
hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
We see the faithfulness of Joseph as he is obedient to God’s commands. He
did not let his earthly concerns distract him from the eternal matter of
obedience to the will of God. There was no delay in his actions. God was his
strength and God’s presence was Joseph’s comfort and consolation.
We will always discover the sufficiency of our Lord Jesus when we follow
His way and rely upon His strength and wisdom. With Him, nothing lacks
value--even though at first blush, as in the case of Joseph, it seems
difficult, confusing, and scary. God’s ways are not the ways of man.
Christ left His glory in heaven and entered the earth through humble doors
and he lived out His earthly life in perfect obedience to the Father. He was
despised and rejected, and yet, in the end, He was exalted: "Therefore God
exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every
name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)
Born into the World
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be
taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place
while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to
register.” (Luke 2:1-3)
Jesus was born into a world taken up with Caesar Augustus’ census. People
were traveling to get to their own towns so they could register. Bethlehem was
bustling with activity—all the inns were full—and I’m sure everyone was talking
about the census. It shouldn’t surprise me that this is the time God chooses
for Jesus to be born into the world. While everyone is focused on the seemingly
important events of the day, Jesus, Savior of the world, is born in a manger.
Luke 2: 4-19 says:
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea,
to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of
David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to
him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the
baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in
cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the
inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch
over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the
glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel
said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that
will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born
to you; he is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and
lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared
with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and
on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left
them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to
Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us
about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who
was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word
concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were
amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these
things and pondered them in her heart."
Why did He come? Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard
world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very
important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope.
It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.
Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have
done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with
a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and
Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The
only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of
our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come
into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. We can know
that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over.
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive
us and to cleanse us from every wrong." (I John 1:9)
We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can
know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven
will be our home one day.
Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus
into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and
peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs
to be met.
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!
There is so much demanding our attention in the world every day. Elections,
climate change, economic fluctuations, war, natural disasters, personal
struggles. It is into this atmosphere—this hustle and bustle—that Jesus chooses
to be born into again and again. He pierces through our activity and calls us
to come and adore Him … to see the wonder of His birth.
“‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they
shall call His name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us.’” (Matthew
1:23)
As believers we are too often apt to live our lives in a vacuum, forgetting
that not only is God always with us, but He is always aware of absolutely
everything that we are going through. There are no mistakes, nothing forgotten,
nothing missed. In God’s economy, nothing is ever wasted.
If that’s true, then my response needs to change as well. Instead of complaining,
grumbling, and wishing things would change, I need to thank Him for His
presence, for His grace and for the fact that He is with me in every situation.
He is never surprised, and when I am, I just need to remember that!
You and I Know...
What to focus on this Christmas for the most fulfilling and Godly season we
could ever have. That is to focus on the Christ child and His Holy Incarnation
to be born as Emanuel, God among us, so that a special Holy Incarnation can
take place in each one on earth, the New Birth, which we received. And having
been saved, God will save us from all defeat, from Hell, from death, from
disease, from poverty, from addiction, from infirmities, from weaknesses, from
troubles, from fear, from violence, from sin, and much, much more. Get in the
Divine glory flow now, it is rushing past you as you read this, just jump in by
faith, no matter what your troubles, no matter what your circumstances, and
ride the crest of the wave, of His Kingdom and His power and His glory. Glory to
God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men. Merry Christmas!
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
It’s so easy for me to live each day as if I am doing it alone, and forget
that You are always here with me. Help me to allow You to come into my present
situation and make a difference today. Lord Jesus, thank You for coming into my
very own story and calling me to see You. Today I adore You and I thank You for
the wonder of Your birth.
