Christmas Thoughts 2023

Good morning to all of our Readers, from all around the world!

God is so good to us, and He is worthy of all praise for sending this Bible study blog into almost 150 different nations. 

Each time that I am preparing a lesson for the blog, I try to imagine each of your circumstances and environments. I try to think about how to share what God is saying accurately and simply. 

Quite frankly, I am quickly overwhelmed because our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, has allowed me the extraordinary blessing and great privilege of sharing God's Word with each of you. 

The world is full of hurting people, and this will never change until Jesus returns to earth to establish His Kingdom. THis is our blessed hope, and a source of constant joy for us to meditate upon. 

Jesus knows all about our troubles, because He lived on earth for more than 30 years. He experienced the full spectrum of human misery, afflictions, grief and sorrows. 

He suffered greatly for us. He was born to die for us, receiving the wages of our sins, and offering eternal life to all who will repent of their sins and turn to Jesus Christ in faith.

The genealogy Matthew included, proves that Jesus is a descendant of Abraham, the father of all who believe (Matthew 1:1-17). Abraham is the man to whom Jehovah established an eternal covenant.  

In addition, Matthew's record proves that Jesus is a direct son of king David, through his earthly father, Joseph. Matthew's gospel presents Jesus and the last, eternal king in the line of David, as promised by the prophets. 

Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 1:18-25  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. 

Mary was a virgin who never knew a man, who never had any intimate relationship. This is why Matthew wants us to know that Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost. The male seed was made by God and implanted in her womb by the Spirit of God.

We see the prophetic name of Jesus is Emmanuel which means "God with us." The name Jesus means "Jehovah Saves." 

We also see the loving care and concern that Joseph had for Mary when he discovered that she was pregnant, but not by him. 

The angel of God told Joseph not to fear, but to take Mary for his wife, because God was doing a mighty work through her.

The three magi come seeking King Jesus.

Matthew 2:1-12  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6  And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7  Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9  When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 

Matthew also records this detail about the visit from the three wise men. These men were from the east, probably from the region of ancient Babylonia and Persia. 

Daniel ministered their until he died, and he was placed above all the Chaldean wise men. It is entirely possible that Daniel helped them understand the signs to look for when Messiah should appear.

They blessed Joseph and Mary with precious, expensive gifts to the baby Jesus. They worshiped baby Jesus in the manger and departed.

Luke's account of Jesus birth by a virgin maiden.

Luke 1:26-38  And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27  To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36  And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37  For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38  And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 

What a beautiful account of how the power of God overshadowed Mary, to plant that holy seed of the Christ child in her womb. 

Remember, if Jesus had an earthly father, then He would have had Adam's sin tainted blood in His veins. He would not have been able to save anyone from their sin.

Praise God, that Jesus had a heavenly Father, and that the blood in His body was nothing less than the blood of God (See Accts 20:28).

Joseph and Mary return to Bethlehem and fulfill scripture. 

Luke 2:1-7  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

Luke's description of Jesus being born in a manger, reminds us that a shelter for animals like donkeys, cattle and sheep, it no the most sanitary of living conditions. 

The Father worked out all the details so that prophecies about the Messiah were literally fulfilled by Jesus and His family, in the events leading up to His birth. 

You can read Philippians 2:5-11 to see the humbling of Jesus Christ, all the way to His death, followed by the Father highly exalting His Son. 

Heavenly angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. 

Luke 2:8-21  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 21  And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 

Humble shepherds watching over their flocks and trying to stay warm, were greeted by an angelic messenger from Jehovah. Then the heavens lit up as the heavenly chorus praised God. 

Luke's genealogy proves that Mary was also a descendant of King David, thus both Jesus parents were of royal descent. This account connects all the way back to son of Adam, son of God. 

Please take time to read the Christmas story with your family. Our family, friends and neighbors need to know that they do not have to die in their sins. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save the world (John 3:15-18).

If all we are doing this year,  is frantically buying presents, wrapping them, putting up trees, lights and decorations, then we are missing the point. 

Jesus Christ, the only Savior who could save us from sin and take us to heaven has been born, for us! His birth if a pivotal moment in a

Let us celebrate anew the glory of the Christmas season, remembering that Jesus was born to die, to carry our sins far away, and to bring us to the Father.

Bob