18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25 NRSV)
Here is the Christmas Story, dear Friend! It involves a baby. And before we look at the Baby Jesus, let us be in prayer for babies who need our prayers for healing. A dear member of one of my former churches, Christina Sandell, her son Jack, a newborn, has been in the hospital with respiratory problems including severe sleep apnea. He is too tiny for any sleep apnea machine. We trust God and we ask God for his healing. Jack was born on November 4, 2019. Join me in praying for a miracle! And I just received news that a retired UM pastor from our conference who lives in Costa Rica, The Rev. Rafael Campos, is very ill and tomorrow undergoes some tests to see how he's doing. Please pray for Rev. Campos.
Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the deliverer of God's people. Jesus was born to Mary, a young woman betrothed to a man named Joseph. Mary found herself to be with child even before being with a man; a child promised to her in a dream by an archangel. Joseph, as the Bible described him, was a "righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, and the more severe option of being stoned to death. His plan was to divorce her quietly. But as happens so often, the plans of a person don't always match those of God.
God interrupts Joseph's sleep with the visit of an angel who tells him, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." This was the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
Joseph did as told, and married Mary, and she bore a son, and Joseph named Him Jesus.
In this baby the world received her salvation. For in Jesus we had Him who would die in our place, for our sins, so that we might be restored back with God. In Jesus we find all that Advent had prepared for us. Praise be to God.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, for Jesus we are thankful and eternally grateful. May we make room for Jesus to be born in us and for us. And in His holy name we pray, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be someone who shares this sacred birth with others.
Receive my blessings of love and peace!
Pastor Eradio Valverde
