The Lord is with You

Assuring Hope
Comfort for Gods People

Matthew 1:18-25 (The Message)

The Birth of Jesus

 ^18-19The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.  ^20-23While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—'God saves'—because he will save his people from their sins." This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term:

   Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
   They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us").
 ^24-25Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.

For Reflection
Remember the story.  Remember Joseph's's obedience.  Remember Mary's ordeal.  Remember those who came to witness the birth of a King.  Remember the stable. Remember the birth of freedom, truth, and salvation.  Never forget.

Pray
and sing songs of joy.  Offer prayers of thanksgiving.  Rejoice in the Lord, all ways.