Miraculous Birth of Jesus: Matthew 1 | O Come O Come Emmanuel Hymn

On Christmas Day - The Birth of Jesus Christ: Matthew 1:18-25

Mary's Betrothal and the Holy Spirit Conception

¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 

Joseph's Dilemma: A Just Man's Righteous Choice

¹⁹ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.  

The Angel's Message to Joseph in a Dream

Do Not Be Afraid to Take Mary as Your Wife

²⁰ But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus: Our Savior from Sin

²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Virgin Birth Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14 Fulfilled in Matthew 1

²² So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 

Behold, the Virgin Shall Be with Child - Immanuel: The Promise of God With Us

²³ “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

The Angel Gabriel's Announcement to Joseph

²⁴ Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,

He Called His Name Jesus

²⁵ and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Experience the timeless Advent hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" as we celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. This beloved Christmas carol beautifully captures the prophetic longing for Emmanuel—God with us—fulfilled in Matthew 1:23. Let this worship song deepen your reflection on how Jesus came to save His people from their sins.

God's Choice: Mary Among Women (Luke 1:28)

During the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, the archangel Gabriel appeared to a virgin (and esposed wife-to-be of Joseph) from Nazareth named Mary. He announced that God had chosen her to hear his blessed Son into the world (Luke 1:28; see also Galations 4:4). The angel did not say "Blessed art thou above women," "but" among women."

Mary's Question: How Can this Be?

Mary was perplexed, how could this be, I know not a man? (Luke 1:34). Mary recognized her need for a savior (Luke 1:47). Mary needed salvation like all others. (See Romans 3:23)

Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus' Birth

Born a Virgin: Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:22-23

Old Testament Prophecy Fulfillment #1: 

He would be born a virgin (Cp Isa 7:14 with Matt 1:22-23)

The archangel foretold that this Babe:

a-would be called Jesus

b- Would be called the Son of the Highest

c- Old Testament Prophecy Fulfillment #2: He would be given the throne of David (Cp Sam 7:11-12,Ps 132:11;Isa 9:6-7, 16:5;Jer 23:5 with Luke 1:31-32.) 

d- Old Testament Prophecy #3: The throne would be an eternal throne. (Cp Dan 2:44; 7:14,27;Mic 4:7 with Luke 1:33).

The Incarnation: Conceived by the Holy Spirit 

Fully God and Fully Man: Understanding the Incarnation

The archangel was reassuring, "the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee" Luke 1:35. These verses, Luke 1:31,35, teach two powerful things about the Incarnation.

1- Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

2- The supernatural element in the Incarnation was not the birth of Christ, but rather his conception. He was born as all humans are born. It is vital to make this distinction, for he was not only as completely God as though he had never been man, but also as completely man as though he had never been God.

Jesus Came To Save, Give Life, and Bring Abundance

Salvation from Sin Through Jesus Christ

Jesus came to the earth to SAVE our lives, GIVE us life, and give us that life more abundantly.

Abundant Life: The Promise of John 10:10