A Christmas Story: Part 1: The Birth of Jesus: The Book of Matthew in the New Testament (Life Application Study Bible) tells the Christmas Story this way: It starts with an Angel appearing to Joseph in Matthew 1:18-25: This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is 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 took place to fulfill what the Lord has 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." (Isaiah 7:14: 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. Matthew 1:24-25: 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.
So, we have now set the scene: The angel has made his appearance to Joseph, Son of David, to let him know of the coming of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, his son. Instructions were given and the word is now out. Next we will read about the visitors arriving from the Eastern Lands after Jesus was born.
(Footnote: This is the greatest story ever told. Actually, the entire Holy Bible is known as the Greatest Story ever told. It is a great read and it is the Word of God. For many, many years, I was led to believe that the Bible consisted of the First Five Books of Moses and that this was the "Law of the Land." It very much was until the birth of Jesus and as He grew up, traveled and taught the Word of God to the people. I truly love the story of Christmas and what it means to me.)
David M. Brown
November 27, 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment
God Bless and God Speed.
Should you be interested in a guest speaker for your church or religious organization, feel free to contact me at 404-494-6718 and I would be more than happy to meet with you for a great time of testimony and worship.