Post by Ayen on Dec 25, 2020 6:03:24 GMT -6
Childbirth. It happens everyday. Women go through great pain to bring their children into the world, and every second a child is born, another person unfortunately dies. It brings a sort of balance to the grand design if you want to look at it from that perspective. But today I’m taking a look at a very special birth. A birth that is still being discussed even to this day. That is of course the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Everyone knows the story by now. It’s the reason for the season. The reason so many Christians celebrate Christmas. Jesus was conceived by a virgin and brought into the world in a manger. Wisemen came and gave him gifts and then Jesus would grow up to become a great teacher and healer and save the world from sin. So this may be familiar territory for some. However I would like to take a look at the people involved in this story and what their life might have been like up to this point.
I’ll start with Joseph. Jesus’ legal father. The father the people knew of, but of course Jesus’ real father is God. Matthew kick things off from Joseph’s perspective in chapter 1 verses 18 through 25:
Back in the old days of when Jesus came around it was custom for families to engage their sons and daughters to different families and then they would marry. The only way out of the marriage was either through death or divorce. Of course when Joseph first found out that Mary was pregnant he thought what any of us would’ve thought. That the woman had been unfateful. He would’ve been right in the law to have her stoned even for this, but he obviously cared for her, so he chose to divorce her quietly. That was until the angel of the Lord brought him the truth of the matter.
It might have been difficult to accept that Mary’s first born son wouldn’t have actually been his son by blood. It would have brought great consequence to take in a woman to marry who was already pregnant and the couple likely faced public stigma. Despite this, Joseph did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and took care of Jesus like he was his son. God may have chosen Mary to be the mother of the savior, but he also chose Joseph to help raise Jesus from childbirth to young adulthood, so the man is just as important as the woman.
Speaking of the woman, let’s talk about Mary for a bit shall we? Her side of the story comes to light in Luke chapter 1 verses 26 - 38:
I always figured that angels must have been frightening things because everytime they appear in the bible they always have to tell the one they speak to not to be afraid. The first feeling to take Mary would be that of fear. Wondering what the angel had in mind for her. Then confusion as she didn’t know how she’d give birth to a son without first having sex with a man, but the angel and God answered all those questions. Mary knew that she would face stigma being pregnant with a child that wasn’t her husband’s, and even be accused of insanity if she told the truth, but she willingly accepted the Lord’s command and carried Jesus to term.
Now obviously Mary didn’t remain a virgin as she had other children by Joseph, but her virginity is seen as important as Jesus had to come into the world untouched by the sin passed on from Adam. Mary would see many signs and prophets telling her what her son would do and she was disturbed by these things. She would even live to see her son die on the cross and suffer heartbreak from it. Like it said in Luke chapter 2 verse 35:
Any mother could relate to Mary’s concerns and fears. It’s not easy raising a child to term, and in those moments a strong bond is formed between mother and child. But knowing that your son has a purpose in life and will do a great many things would be reason to be happy as well as be concerned for her son. No mother should have to bury their own child, but that is what in essence she had to do so Jesus could save the world from sin.
Now I think it’s time to address the man of the hour. Jesus Christ himself. Luke 2 verses 16 through 20:
Jesus was just a baby at this point. A child depended on its mother and father for love and nourishment. He would grow up into a child and be wise well beyond his years. Jesus is of course the son of the living God and God in human flesh. He experienced the same emotions and pains we went through, but he was without sin or any fault of his own. Making him not just someone we can relate to, but someone we can look up to and aspire to be. For any good Christian will tell you that their one goal in life is to be like Jesus, the son of the living God.
We know a lot about his adulthood, but his childhood hasn’t been documented much except for bits and pieces in Luke. He was of course circumcised and registered according to the law. He was taught carpentering by Joseph before beginning to perform miracles and teach. He even left the teachers amazed at his understanding of scripture and the questions he asked.
All in all, the birth of Jesus teaches us that God has a plan for everyone. He uses the least likely of people to perform great tasks. Giving both Joseph and Mary the task of raising the child that would grow up to be the light of the world. The one and only conqueror of sin. Jesus Christ. So while you’re celebrating the holiday remember the real reason so many people celebrate this great day and give thanks for the gifts in your life that were made possible through Jesus.
Amen.
Everyone knows the story by now. It’s the reason for the season. The reason so many Christians celebrate Christmas. Jesus was conceived by a virgin and brought into the world in a manger. Wisemen came and gave him gifts and then Jesus would grow up to become a great teacher and healer and save the world from sin. So this may be familiar territory for some. However I would like to take a look at the people involved in this story and what their life might have been like up to this point.
I’ll start with Joseph. Jesus’ legal father. The father the people knew of, but of course Jesus’ real father is God. Matthew kick things off from Joseph’s perspective in chapter 1 verses 18 through 25:
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
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, 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 conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (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 did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
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, 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 conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (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 did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
It might have been difficult to accept that Mary’s first born son wouldn’t have actually been his son by blood. It would have brought great consequence to take in a woman to marry who was already pregnant and the couple likely faced public stigma. Despite this, Joseph did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and took care of Jesus like he was his son. God may have chosen Mary to be the mother of the savior, but he also chose Joseph to help raise Jesus from childbirth to young adulthood, so the man is just as important as the woman.
Speaking of the woman, let’s talk about Mary for a bit shall we? Her side of the story comes to light in Luke chapter 1 verses 26 - 38:
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Now obviously Mary didn’t remain a virgin as she had other children by Joseph, but her virginity is seen as important as Jesus had to come into the world untouched by the sin passed on from Adam. Mary would see many signs and prophets telling her what her son would do and she was disturbed by these things. She would even live to see her son die on the cross and suffer heartbreak from it. Like it said in Luke chapter 2 verse 35:
35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Now I think it’s time to address the man of the hour. Jesus Christ himself. Luke 2 verses 16 through 20:
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
We know a lot about his adulthood, but his childhood hasn’t been documented much except for bits and pieces in Luke. He was of course circumcised and registered according to the law. He was taught carpentering by Joseph before beginning to perform miracles and teach. He even left the teachers amazed at his understanding of scripture and the questions he asked.
All in all, the birth of Jesus teaches us that God has a plan for everyone. He uses the least likely of people to perform great tasks. Giving both Joseph and Mary the task of raising the child that would grow up to be the light of the world. The one and only conqueror of sin. Jesus Christ. So while you’re celebrating the holiday remember the real reason so many people celebrate this great day and give thanks for the gifts in your life that were made possible through Jesus.
Amen.