Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 movie “The Nativity Story”
Bible Verse of the Day:
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[e] 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,[f] because he will save his people from their sins,” Matthew 1:18-21.
Biblical Connection:
In an earlier scene, Mary mentions to Elizabeth that she is betrothed to Joseph, similar to being engaged a full year before your wedding in modern terms. According to Jewish law in the first century, Joseph could have had Mary stoned to death in public after discovering that she was pregnant. This is the complexity of the first Christmas.
An angel of the Lord intervened, changing Joseph’s mind. This change of heart saved their future marriage and protected Jesus by preventing Jewish friends from having Mary stoned. A census 3 months later further complicated the birth of Christ. Modern doctors would have not allowed Mary to travel to Bethlehem 9 months pregnant, stopping the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
Closing Song:
In times of chaos, God often works behind the scenes in the supernatural realm. This is what Matthew describes in chapter 1 and 2 of Matthew, staying one step ahead of the schemes of the Devil, Ephesians 6:10-12. These are the complications that God ushered angels into action to make the first Christmas a successful celebration.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 