Inspired by . . . the Hope of His Coming Vol. 12

Inspired by . . . the Hope of His Coming Vol. 12

 

This was how the birth of Jesus Christ took place.

His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they were married,

she found out that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit.

Joseph was a man who always did what was right,

but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly;

so he made plans to break the engagement privately.

While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

"Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife.

For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived.

She will have a son, and you will name Him Jesus---because He will save his people from their sins."

Now all this happened in order to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet,

"A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel"

(which means, "God is with us"). So when Joseph woke up, he married Mary,

as the angel of the Lord had told him to.

But he had no sexual relations with her before she gave birth to her son.

And Joseph named him Jesus.
(Mat 1:18-25)

 

Do you know someone who has trouble with personal boundaries? Maybe they stand just a little too close to you when you’re talking together. Or share just a little too much information about themselves. How about people, casual acquaintances, who ask probing questions? Here’s a news flash for you- you don’t have to answer. Learning to say, “It’s really none of your business.” with grace is still something I’m working on. Personally, I believe our society is much too immodest when it comes to our personal information, and I’m not talking about the NSA. There is some good to be said about technology that allows us to see and hear everything about everybody {have you made sure your HDTV camera is shut off?} but I think we have lost something, too. Instant gratification takes away the mystery, the wonder, and the expectation. When every longing is instantly satisfied, what do you have left?

 

The mystery of Christ's incarnation is to be adored, not pried into.

 

God sent an angel to Joseph so that he would believe Mary and take her as his wife. Chances are, God is not going to send an angel to you to make you believe. Frankly, you wouldn’t want Him to - - but He has spoken to your heart.

Rather than try to explain it away or understand it, let’s take some time today to just sit in wonder of what God has done. Put yourself there in the manger. Breathe deeply of the scent of hay, horse and cow. Just the good smells. Let your eyes be drawn to the babe. See his little arms and legs, how they kick and wiggle. He’s laughing because one of the sheep just nuzzled his head. Let yourself fall into the JOY of his radiant face, the JOY of a newborn baby.

 

This child knows you,

intimately.

Adore Him.

This child will die for you,

personally.

Praise Him.

 

Blessings,

 

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