12/17/2008

Matthew 1:20-25 (NIV)
20 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. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins."
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"[b]—which means, "God with us."
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.


In this Chapter, Matthew writes about the genealogy of Jesus and also about Mary being betrothed (betrothal was a legally binding Jewish custom) to Joseph and she is to have a child - Jesus. The facts that Matthew brings forth here are important. Matthew says the angel came to Joseph - "son of David" and tells him not to be afraid to marry Mary. Joseph and Mary were to marry but I think Joseph thought that she had been unfaithful to him and he started thinking about certain things. God sent the angel to talk to Joseph. Joseph was also a very kind man. When the angel appears to him, he tells Joseph that the child is conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was born to Mary by the right of the law and He is an heir to all the rights of David.

Joseph starting thinking and God decided to send an angel to him to assure him that everything is alright and he should go ahead and marry Mary. When you get a chance, also read Luke, Chapter 2. During this season, let us reflect on what is really important. It is not about presents or the hustle and bustle of the season. It is about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There are many people who have not received Jesus as their Savior. Go out and tell them about Jesus. Bring them into the Kingdom of God!! Tell and show them the real meaning of Christmas!