An Angel Visits Joseph

Read Matthew 1:18-25

"This is how Jesus Christ, the Messiah was born. 

His mother Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. 

But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, 

she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. " 

Matt. 1:18 NLT

The name Jesus means "He shall Save", The name Christ is not His last name, but is His title as "The Anointed One", The Messiah.

If we go back to the beginning of time we see that, God created the heavens and the earth. He made man and woman in His own image and likeness. Then Adam and Eve both sinned, eating the fruit they were commanded not to eat and were removed from the garden, so they could not continue to eat from the tree of life. During the despair of their fall, God made a promise, that one day the child of a woman would bruise the head of the serpent, the devil. Later God promised Abraham, "And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Long after that, God promised King David "I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body. I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father and He shall be My son" . vs 5,11-14

James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum

Even though mankind sinned, God had a glorious plan to bring salvation to us, through a Promised Child. So glorious was His plan that He sent the mighty angel Gabriel to announce the coming joy to Mary. Now He comes to Joseph, Mary's fiance, who was a son of King David. As you read this section of Matthew's gospel (18-25), put yourself in Joseph's place as he discovers his beautiful, pure betrothed bride is pregnant and not with his child. As he considered breaking their engagement quietly, an angel appeared to him and said:

"Joseph, son of David,  do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. 

For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, 

for he will save his people from their sins."

 Jesus is the "Anointed One", 

God's promised Messiah, who saves His people from their sins.

Praise God for His wonderful gift of Jesus our Messiah and Savior.

Read: Matt. 1:23, Isaiah 7:14, John 1:1-3, Col. 1:14-18

"What child is this?"

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us'.

Matt.. 1:23

Mary was a virgin, that means she didn't live with a husband yet. She got pregnant with Jesus before her and Joseph came together. This is the fulfillment of the  prophecy above, that was originally made 700 years before by the prophet Isaiah. Matthew tells us that Jesus Christ, Savior, Anointed One, is "God with Us". Just think about that. He was God with us!!! Think of some of the words of the Christmas Carole, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". "Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail the Incarnate Deity... mild He lay His glory by, born that men no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth."

Read the passages in John and Colossians and consider:

What child is this? 

Emmanuel, God with Us

Immanuel, God with Us by Michelle Struss

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