Week 1: The Birth of Jesus Christ

The gospel reading is Matt 1: 8-25. This reading describes the birth of Jesus Christ.

Many people know the Nativity story. I was going to wait to talk about this one for Christmas, but I decided it is a good story to start out with. Now Mary was pledged or betrothed to Joseph. Just before they got married, the Holy Spirit appeared to her and said that she was with child. Now, Mary was confused because she was a virgin. But, this child was special, this child was the Son of God and he was to be called Jesus. This sort of put a damper on things. Joseph decided to quietly divorce Mary. After he decided what he was going to do, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him not to be afraid and to take Mary home as his wife because she will give birth to a son and that he would give hime the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem to give birth. They tried to stay in an inn, but their was no room for them. So, Jesus was born in a stable. Today, we want the best for our kids, don't we? We give birth in hospitals with world class doctors to make sure that everything goes well. What about Jesus? He didn't have professional doctors with him in a fancy hospital. He was born in a dirty stable with animals. But, what made this a miracle, was they had the power of God with them. He was physically there in human for- Jesus! I look back at this story and it makes me feel happy. Happy because it was the best birthday in all of history. And it is the beginning of a new era where Jesus actually came and died for out sins. This is probably one of the most told Bible stories ever and there's a good reason.