Immanuel

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.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel - which means, "God with us."

Matthew 1:21-23

Matthew 1:18-25 is the passage that I have been reading and rereading for the past few days. How did Mary survive being pregnant before marriage? Of course, it was the Holy Spirit who had placed the child inside of her, but how did she not get stoned to death or shunned by her family? How was she willing to face humiliation, misunderstanding, and possible death? How did Joseph not lead an angry mob to stone Mary? Jealousy and pride could have made him do it. How did Joseph accept her and the precious child inside of her? It could only be GOD.

How beautiful that two people gave up all of themselves (pride, plans, what they thought was right) to immediately obey God. How blessed they were to have been chosen to be the parents of God's precious son.

Jesus came to save us from our sins so that He could have a relationship with us. Jesus, save us from our sins. Be with us, and speak to our hearts this Christmas...