An Angel Visits Joseph

 As you read this section of Matthew's gospel (18-25), put yourself in Joseph's place as he discovers his beautiful, pure betrothed bride is pregnant and not with his child. As he considered breaking their engagement quietly, an angel appeared to him and said:

Angel Visits Joseph- Tissot, Brooklyn Museum

"Joseph, son of David, 

do not be afraid 

to take Mary as your wife. 

For the child within her 
was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 

And she will have a son, 
and you are to name him Jesus, 

for he will save his people 
from their sins."

Jesus is the "Anointed One",
God's promised Messiah, 

who does save His people from their sins,
even today. 

Praise God for His wonderful gift

of Jesus our Messiah and Savior.

Read: Matt. 1:23, Isaiah 7:14, John 1:1-3, Col. 1:14-18

 At church we sing a song that begins with words similar to David's question in Psalm 8,

"Who are we, that you would be mindful of us, what do you see, that's worth looking our way?" God in His tender mercy gave us Jesus. Who is He, that we should be mindful of Him? 

What should we see that is worth looking His way?

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us'.

Matt.. 1:23

Mary's miraculous virgin birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy, that was originally made 700 years before by the prophet Isaiah. Matthew tells us that Jesus Christ, Savior, Messiah, is "God with Us". Take a moment to let that sink in. The Christmas Carole, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" has a great way of saying this as well as Jesus' mission. "Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail the Incarnate Deity... mild He lay His glory by, born that men no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth."

Read the passages in John and Colossians and consider:

Who is He that we should be mindful of Him, and look toward Him? 

Emmanuel, God with Us

Read more about this painting at His Paint Brush.  

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