The coming of the Redeemer was inherent in the covenants God made with His people, and it was promised by the prophets. Jewish history prepared the way for Christ's birth. God in His providence ruled to accomplish His great purpose in bringing His Son into the world.
The earthly blood line of Jesus came as God had promised (Luke 1:69). He would be a Jew from the tribe of Judah, the family of David, born in David's city, Bethlehem. Both Mary and Joseph belonged to David's blood line.
The Gospel of Matthew gives us the human and divine heredity of Jesus. It was necessary for Him to enter this world by an earthly mother, but not of an earthly father. By a miracle of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary, a virgin (Luke 1:26-38).
Jesus Christ, being eternal God (John 1:1-3,14), existed before Mary and Joseph or any of his earthly ancestors.
John 1:4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Walk in the light, beautiful light,
Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus, the light of the world.
G. Elderkin
Every detail of the birth of Jesus was prophesied in manuscripts 400 - 1000 years before the glorious event in Bethlehem, the lineage, the place, the young virgin, and more.
God covered all the bases for the Jewel of Heaven to be born among men. He sent the angel Gabriel to tell Mary that she was chosen to be the earthly mother of the Son of the Highest, One who would sit on the throne of David, whose kingdom would be forever.
This troubled Mary. "But how can this be? I know not a man."
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Can you imagine Mary's awe and worship as she took it all in?
As we celebrate Christmas this month, may we not forget the purpose of Jesus' birth. He was born to die on a cruel cross, a sacrifice for our sins, for our redemption.
The death, burial, and resurrection is the "good news".
Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of The Lord is.
I didn't always know God's will for my life. At times it was frustrating. But I learned that if God saved me, He had a purpose for me, and I should discover that purpose. I should plan my life accordingly.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
God reveals His plan through His word, His Spirit in our hearts, and the working of circumstances. The Christian can walk carefully and accurately because he knows what God wants him to do.
Like the builder following the blueprint, he accomplishes what the architect planned.
If you don't know God's plan for your life, ask Him to show you. If you do know, do it with all your heart.
