TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
Read: Matthew 1:18-24
Listen: Matthew 1
TODAY’S MESSAGE
We know the story. Joseph is engaged to Mary. He finds out Mary is pregnant and tries to end the engagement quietly. An angel visits him in a dream to explain that Mary is pregnant with God’s son. That boy is the Promised One who would be the Savior of the world.
Other men in Joseph’s position might freak out and walk away. But the angel tells Joseph to not be afraid. Jesus’ birth fulfills a prophecy from the prophet Isaiah that a child would be born to a virgin and be called Immanuel. Immanuel means “God with us.” Out of all the ways Joseph could’ve responded, he steps out in faith and stays.
As we begin Christmas week, we have many things to distract us and cause us to walk away from the true meaning of Christmas. But the truth is that God looked at us—completely lost and incapable of rescuing ourselves—and decided to become one of us to rescue us. That’s an amazing reason to celebrate Christmas.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Thank God for coming to earth. Ask him to help you keep Immanuel at the forefront this week as you celebrate Christmas.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
