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“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,” (that is, “in a physical way”), “she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”  This is the “first” (and “only”) time that the seed within woman was not the seed of man, but the seed of God! – as Mary 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.”  (According to the law of Moses, [Deuteronomy 22] – Mary could have been stoned to death, yet Joseph would not allow that to happen).

“After he 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.”  (The name “Jesus” means “the One who saves”; “Savior.”) – and that’s exactly what Jesus has done for us!  He came to save all people from their sins and to reunite us to God the Father.

 “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” – which means “God with us.”

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded 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.” – Matthew 1:18-25

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.”  Caesar Augustus!: the first and (according to many) greatest Roman emperor (31 B.C – 14 A.D.). 

“Everyone went to his own town to register.”  (God used the decree of a pagan emperor to fulfill the 700 year old prophecy of Micah the prophet) which said:  “But you, Bethlehem, though you are small among the towns of Judah, out of you will come forth for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” – Micah 5:2  

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the city of David, because he belonged to house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” 

“An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and said, “Do not be afraid.  For behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all people.  Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2: 1, 3-7, 10-11

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  We have beheld His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:1, 14

The Words of Jesus: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

Wishing you every blessing as we celebrate the Birth of Christ!