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Matthew 1: 18-25
The Birth of Jesus Christ 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed 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. |
The wondrous incarnation, the history-defining arrival of God on earth is announced, in a very matter-of-fact way. But each detail gives us pause to think.
The account makes it very clear that the Child is by the Holy Spirit, not by Joseph. We have to go to Luke to see how Mary responds to her pregnancy, but we see in Joseph's response why he is chosen as stepfather. He is a good man who would have quietly divorced Mary without public shame, but who obeys God when He tells him to take Mary as his wife. We hear that Joseph is the son of David, so Jesus is also considered to be of that line (see Romans 1:3), fulfilling promises made to David long ago. The prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 is quoted, reminding us this event has been foretold for centuries. Finally, the Child is named: Jesus, meaning “the Lord saves” and Immanuel, “God is with us”. Jesus grows up to embody these names, being God among us, sinful human beings, but also our Saviour from these sins.
We are so familiar with the Christmas story, that it is easy to be matter-of-fact ourselves. Instead, let us pray that we will marvel at how God was at work through time, and in individual lives, to enter our world for our salvation and His glory.
Fiona R