The Promised Birth Fulfilled

Indeed the events surrounding the birth of Jesus form the foundation of our Christian faith. In Matthew (Matthew 1:18-25) the story is told from the perspective of Joseph. Joseph was a descendant of King David the most revered king of Israel of whom the standards were set to measure all other kings. Mary and Joseph were engaged to be married; They had not been together; She was impregnated by the Holy Spirit. Joseph learned of Mary's pregnancy, however, he was not aware of the circumstances. Hence, he was considering ways to put her away privately when he was visited by an angel in a dream, informing him that it is okay to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; the angel informed Joseph that Mary will bring forth a son and you shall name him Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. We are reminded in 1:22 that the prophecy spoken by Isaiah is being fulfilled. He announcd that a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel, interpreted as God with us. When Joseph awoke from his sleep, he acted on the commands of the angel and at the birth of the child, he named him Jesus. "Emmanuel is Born", our lesson topic for Sunday, December 21, 2009.