Wednesday; December 25

          As the New Testament writer, Matthew, records the coming of Jesus to earth, he spends time chronicling how Joseph found out that his girlfriend was going to become the mother of the Christ.  The basis for the story is that after Joseph found out she was pregnant, it took the presence of an angel to help him make sense of it all.  During the visit of the angel, Joseph was told that Mary would, “’... bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’  Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us’”. (Matthew 2:21-23). 
          Can you imagine the impact the message of the virgin birth had on Joseph?  Yet, there is another question that is practical today – what is the impact of the virgin birth (and the complete life of Jesus) on us?  Joseph’s faithful response is on record for all of us to read, but it is our response that will determine our eternal future.
          Jeane and I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas.  We hope that you will enjoy a wonderful day of celebration with your friends and family.  Yet, at some point today in the midst of the opening of the presents and the carving of the turkey our desire is that we will all reflect on the greatest gift of all – the life of Jesus.  He brought hope, joy and peace to the world – have we allowed Him to bring those things into our lives?
          Think About It!

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