| Matthew 1: 18-25 |
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The Birth of Jesus Christ
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed[b] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. |
God in skin
Recently a 10-year-old hero saved his mother by staying with her while trapped having fallen in a deep Scottish mountain ravine. There in her pain and distress and he brings rescue by his actions. A timely but dangerous act - a saviour who came down to her side and rescued her.
“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.”... “They will name Him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).” (Matthew 1:20-23 MSG)
This young son rescued his mother from likely physical death -
JESUS, the Son ‘they will name Him – Immanuel.”
God in skin came on a rescue mission encapsulated in His name - God saves.
The gift of Christmas - God in flesh arriving on earth - when opened and accepted - means you can be saved - from what? - your sin - and reconciled with your Father and Creator.
“Hail, th’ incarnate Deity: Pleased, as man, with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!” (Charles Wesley)
WHAT A GIFT! Living in harmony with your creator and His creation.
Are you rescued? If not maybe it’s time to unpack this gift from the God who loves you - Immanuel.
Matt and Rose