A Christmas Reflection

“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, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ 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. 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” (Matthew 1:18-21).

What captures your heart at Christmas?

The supernatural event of Mary conceiving and giving birth to her son, Jesus Christ, captures mine. This miracle has gripped my heart since I was a kid. Think about it. How could a woman give birth to a child without sexual intercourse? It can only occur through a supernatural, miraculous act of an Almighty God.

As I reflect on these verses in the gospel of Matthew, here is what hits me:

God is on Display! “…she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18c). God’s Word is fulfilled as He orchestrates the birth of His One and Only Son, Jesus – which means “the Lord saves”.

James Montgomery Boice writes, “What a name this is! Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Jeshua or Joshua, and it means quite literally “Jehovah is salvation.” This is the message that was conveyed to Joseph primarily, for he was told that the one who had been conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit was a divine Messiah, the one who had been promised from the very beginning of Israel’s history, and even before that, and that the work of this divine person would be a work of salvation, since “he will save his people from their sins.” The prophesy from Isaiah reinforces this, for in addition to predicting that the Lord’s conception would be supernatural (“the virgin will be with child”), the text also declares that he will be God incarnate, since his name will be Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14) (J.M. Boice, The Gospel of Mathew, pp. 26-27).

A Couple Committed to One Another. A betrothal in Jewish times was a serious commitment to marriage. Before Joseph and Mary came together as husband and wife, God intervened in their lives with the pregnancy of a baby, Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Wonder what Mary thought when this happened? Luke captures her heart, she’s ready to be used by God, no divorce is on her mind, when she learns from an angel that she will give birth to Jesus. Luke writes Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). Mary goes on to glorify God and worship Him for what He has done. “And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name” (Luke 1:46-49).

Joseph, on the other hand, not only thought, but wanted to pursue breaking off the betrothal with Mary. But, God sovereignly intervened and Joseph remained committed to her.

God Reigns. The prophecy proclaimed some 400 years before Jesus birth actually happens. The prophet Isaiah writes,

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this” (Isaiah 9:6).

God and His word are true and reliable.

Humble Obedience. Joseph and Mary obeyed God and trusted in Him. Joseph thought about divorce, but trusted God and obeyed Him. Mary simply yielded herself to be servant for God’s glory and the furthering of His kingdom through the birth of His son.