Matthew 1: 18-25 v 20 “As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph son of David, the angel said. “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.”
This passage is about the birth of Jesus the Messiah. How a young man, Joseph, engaged to a young girl Mary found out that she was to have a baby when they had not had sexual relations. Joseph, a practical man was going to quietly break off the engagement to Mary. However, an angel spoke to him in a dream not to do that. To not be afraid. To name the son that will be born Jesus. For He will save His people from their sins.” This wasn’t a random idea, but a long thought-out plan as there had been a prophecy by Isaiah, “that a virgin will conceive a child! They will call Him Immanuel” Joseph woke up and did as the angel commanded. Married Mary and her son was born and Joseph named Him Jesus.
As the lights of the current celebrations of the birth of the Messiah glitter around the world, as gifts of every shape and size are placed under a tree, as tonight stockings are hung this simple account of the birth of Jesus tells us of only one angel, and two people in on the fact that God had a plan to save anyone who wanted to be saved. The setting of rules and asking for different sacrifices had not led the average person to trust and believe in a higher power of good, that would guide us away from our bad side to strive to be the best person we can be and to do good things for our community and the world. . When two people trusted in God, were open to the requests of His angels, Jesus the Messiah was born. The world was changed forever, and the promise of peace for all that believe was delivered. Today we begin to celebrate!
Prayer: Holy God, open the hearts of the world to accept your words of wisdom and the love that you showed by sending us your Son. To simple follow like Joseph the words of the angels along your path. Amen.
CrossWalk 