Scripture

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. “Get up,” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”

Observation

Following Herod’s death, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream. He tells him that it is safe to return to Israel.

So Joseph and Mary pack their belongings and return to Israel. But then Joseph hears that Herod’s son is king, so he takes them to Nazareth in Galilee.

Application

The Lord speaks to his people in various ways. In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth, there are half a dozen references to angels appearing in dreams to Joseph and also to the Magi.

Some people are very dream oriented, but most Christians, at least in the West, tend not to take notice of dreams. On the other hand, there are numerous accounts of whole villages dreaming about Jesus in a single night and, as a result, thousands of Muslims turning to Christ.

If you are blessed with many dreams, it is a good idea to write them down when you wake up. Then pray over them, asking the Lord to show you what they mean.

Whatever ways God uses to speak to you, whether through dreams or other means, always remember to check them again Scripture. The Word of God is the only infallible revelation.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for this ability to hear you so intimately. Please help me to listen to the things you say. Amen.

Scripture

Coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Observation

Some wise men from the east come to Jerusalem and ask, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”

King Herod is disturbed by this, so he asks the religious leaders where the Christ is to be born. They tell him Bethlehem. Herod sends the Magi to Bethlehem and ask them to report back to him when they find him.

They follow the star to Bethlehem, where they find Jesus. They worship him and present their gifts to him. Then they return home without passing through Jerusalem.

Application

The true response to Jesus is to worship him and give him our gifts.

To worship means to honour with our hearts, expressing love and devotion to Him. Worship should never be a dull ritual, because the Lord is the focal point of our attention. We should feel awe, perhaps even fear.

Having worshipped the Lord we give him our gifts. Our money is His and everything we own. Our ambitions and plans need to be given to Him, in fact our whole life belongs to Him.

Salvation is free, but discipleship costs us everything.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I worship you and offer back to you all that I am and have. Please help me to live for you alone. Amen.

Scripture

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Observation

Mary is engaged to Joseph, but becomes pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph is going to break the engagement quietly so as not to disgrace her.

An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him that the baby within Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and He will save His people from their sins.

Joseph does what the angel commands. He names the baby Jesus.

Application

The equivocations of some theologians about the miracles in the gospels amaze me. There are quite a few who believe in the resurrection of Jesus, although maybe not a physical one. Some accept the healings but not the power miracles.

The virgin birth is a real stumbling block to some people. Our society is so obsessed with sex. People cannot or will not believe that Mary conceived Jesus without any sexual activity.

The God who created the universe would literally have no difficulty in inserting an embryo into Mary’s uterus.

This is important, because all humanity is conceived with sin. It is in our DNA. Jesus had to be sinless. He needed a new DNA, like that of Adam, so that he was completely free from inherited sin.

This little sentence in Matthew’s gospel is foundational to our salvation through Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Father, you can do anything you choose. Please help me to believe for miracles in my own life. Amen.

Scripture

Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth.

Observation

Matthew’s gospel begins with a genealogy, a list of the ancestors of Jesus. This list concludes with “Mary gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah.”

There are, in total, 42 generations from Abraham to Joseph, listed in three groups of 14 generations.

Application

I don’t get excited about genealogies in the Bible. The lists of names do not resonate with me. They were important for ancient people to locate individuals in the great stories of history.

Matthew mentions three women in his genealogy. This is a political or theological statement in its own right. Women are important and a big part of God’s plan.

Rahab helped Joshua’s invasion of the Promised Land. She was a prostitute. Anybody can be a part of God’s people regardless of their past.

Ruth was fiercely loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi through family tragedies. She clung to faith in the God of Israel, even though it seemed that God had abandoned them.

Bathsheba was widowed because of the lust and subsequent perfidy of David.

These women were all dealt bad hands in life, but in different ways remained faithful to God.

As a result, they became big names in God’s story.

Prayer

Lord, success in your kingdom is just being faithful to you. Please help me to trust you and obey you always. Amen.