The birth of Jesus brings good news into the world at a time when it's needed the most

Isaiah, the great prophet of God, gave a prophecy in which a sign was to be given of the Messiah, the one who would make things right between God and man.

Isaiah 7:14 “The Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin will be with a child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.”

He goes on in Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders, and he will be called wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, of the increase of his  government there will be no end.”

In Isaiah 53, he has written a detailed picture of our Savior as a suffering servant. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord at Christmas, let us be reminded of his great love for us and desire for us to experience his presence in our lives. 

Mary learns of her role in bringing Jesus into the world

Mary, a young woman living in Galilee of Nazareth was engaged to be married to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter. An angel of the Lord visited her and told her she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. She would call his name Jesus.

At first, Mary was afraid and troubled by what the angel told her. How could she, being a virgin, give birth to a son? The angel explained the child would be God’s own son. Mary believed because of her great love and trust in the God of Israel, the one who had been so faithful.  

God sent an angel to Joseph the young man she was engaged to marry. He explained to him that the child to whom Mary would give birth was God’s own son. All that was happening was part of God’s divine plan for Mary, Joseph, and all humankind. Joseph must have wondered in awe as he remembered the words found in Isaiah 7:14, and as a man of God, he trusted and was obedient to do as God asked. 

Preparing the way for the birth of Jesus

In Luke 2:1-20 we read: "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken to the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and 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 quest room available for them."

"There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, they were terrified.

"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord promised. This will be a sign to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God, and saying, “ Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.

"So they hurried off and found Mary and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying, and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told.  

Jesus' birth still resonates today

God sent his Son to earth to show us what God is like and how we should live our lives. By dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and making available to us the Holy Spirit, He gave us power to be an example and a light to the world of his love and grace.

As we read the Word of God, He will open our eyes to truth and joy as we journey through this life to the Heavenly Home God has prepared for those who love and serve Him.

We pray God will bless you all with a warm wonderful Christmas.  

We have a special request this week. We ask that we all would pray for our loved ones and friends in Kentucky and surrounding areas who have experienced this terrible storm. That God will comfort their hearts and provide for their needs. Let us each one consider ways to encourage them and become God’s hands and feet meeting their needs both physically and emotionally.  

Contact Information

Morgan County Schools of Weekday Religious Education, P.O. Box 1285 Martinsville, IN. 46151.