Mary Did You Know

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 1:18-25. Have you ever considered the real meaning of Christmas? It is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. While we do all kinds of things during the holiday season to celebrate, such as buying gifts, decorating our houses, decorating trees, going to parties, and having family celebrations, our focus should be on the real reason for the season.

In the previous study we looked at the genealogy of Jesus Christ. In this lesson, we go back to the beginning, when it was first discovered that Jesus Christ was going to be born into this world through a miracle of God.

Matthew starts telling about the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1:18. Mary was a virgin, chosen by God, to be the mother of Jesus. It was a miraculous birth, because Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Think about how Mary must have felt when she found out she was expecting a child, but had never had a physical relationship with a man. Mary was engaged to Joseph, who was a just man. At first, he thought he should put her away privately and not make a public example of her.

But the angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and confirmed that Mary had conceived of the Holy Ghost. He told Joseph that Mary was going to have a son and they should call him JESUS. Can you imagine how Joseph must have felt when he woke from that dream?

The angel also told Joseph that Jesus would save His people from their sins. This was the purpose of Jesus’ birth; from the beginning God brought Jesus into the human race to be the Savior of the world. He used Mary as an instrument to allow Jesus to be born as a human, so He could live in this world and ultimately so He could be the sacrifice for our sins.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 

Things to think about:

• Can you imagine how Mary felt when she found out she was expecting a baby?

• Can you imagine how Joseph felt when he found out his fiancée Mary was going to have a baby even though they didn’t have a physical relationship?

• Think about the miracle God performed when He caused Mary to be expectant of the Holy Ghost.

• Do you celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this account from Matthew about the virgin birth of Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for sending Him to the earth to be our Savior. When we celebrate the Christmas season, help us to keep our focus on the true reason for the season. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

– Matthew 1:23

This is an excerpt from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ by Deborah H. Bateman

 

Christian Music: Mary Did You Know ~ Reba McEntire

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. We will share an excerpt from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ in honor of the celebration of Jesus’ birth for Christmas. 

 

Featured Book:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.

The Book of Matthew also goes into Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, and Jesus’ final days, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The book concludes with the great commission.

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ includes fifty-seven daily devotionals which contain a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions to think about, and a prayer of the day. It is a great book for individual daily devotions or a group Bible study.

Go to: Amazon

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life