Lessons from the Christmas Story (Part I)

Scripture:  Matthew 1:23 - Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us.

Any thoughtful reading about the harrowing mission assigned to Mary and Joseph causes one to recognize what a daunting spiritual training ground it must have been for the young couple—one which uniquely deepened their faith, especially given the eternal significance of their divine assignment.  Let us consider a few of those faith-deepening lessons that they likely learned during that journey, lessons which can further enrich our lives today as Christ followers.    

Lesson #1:  The need for unflinching faith.  Before God’s angelic messenger appeared to Joseph in a dream, he had considered quietly dissolving his betrothal to Mary after learning of her being “with Child of the Holy Spirit.”  (Matt. 1:18-24) Moreover, Jewish law would have demanded that Mary be stoned to death for adultery (Deut. 22:23, 24).  God’s favor was definitely upon the young bride!  As is true of many major events in God’s plans for us, things are not ALWAYS as they appear!  We see how walking by faith, rather than sight was then, as it is now, a MAJOR principle in trusting God.  (2 Cor. 5:7)

Lesson #2: The presence of disguised wickedness.  In Matthew 1:3-8, we have an envious, insecure King Herod, who was inwardly troubled by the Magi’s visitation to him, bringing news of One who was to be born King of the Jews and whose star had appeared in Bethlehem, Judea.  After ol’ Herod extracted from these wise men the exact location of the star’s appearance, he told them to return to him after finding the Christ Child, so that he, too, could worship Him. (Matthew 1:3-8) Now THAT MUST’VE been one “Oscar-worthy performance!!”  Interestingly, this would certainly NOT be the last time our Lord was the target of envy-driven devils. (Matthew 27:18)

Prayer:  Dear Abba, as we revisit the biblical account of the trials encountered by Joseph and Mary during that very first Christmas, help us to meditate upon  and draw fresh insights from the lessons about unshakable faith, perseverance, and resting in Your promises of deliverance both here and into eternity!  Thank You, Abba!  Amen!

(by Denise Diggs)