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The Birth of Jesus: Matthew 1-2
The time had come. From the foundation of the world, God had a plan. He foretold the coming of the Christ through many prophecies recorded in the Old Testament. Finally, this great promise that God had made to Abraham regarding his “seed” would come to fruition in Jesus the Christ (Gen. 12:1-3; Gal. 3:16).
Mary was a young woman who had a mind to please God. The angel Gabriel was sent to her to tell her that she had been chosen by God to give birth to a son. This would not be just any ordinary child. This child would be “Immanuel,” God with us. He would be the One who would save the people from their sins. Though Mary was betrothed to a man named Joseph, she was a virgin, so this conception of this child would be miraculous. The angel also appeared to Joseph to assure him that he should take Mary to be his wife.
Micah prophesied that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem (5:2). Though Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, circumstances brought them to Bethlehem (a census), which is where they were when Jesus was born. His birth brought great joy. It was announced to shepherds, who praised God for it. Wise men from the east came to worship Him. God’s salvation had come into the world!
Not everyone was happy about this event, though. Herod was paranoid because Jesus was being called a King. He tried to have Him killed by slaughtering all the male children under a certain age. Because of this, Joseph and Mary took Jesus down to Egypt for a little while, before returning back up to Nazareth where Jesus would be raised.
With the heavenly host, we can praise God for sending Jesus: “Glory to God in the highest!”
Discussion
1. Think back on the promises God made about the Christ. What was His purpose in having Jesus come into the world?
2. Why is the name “Jesus” significant? Why was he also called “Immanuel”?
3. What was miraculous about the conception of Jesus? Why did Joseph need to be convinced to take Mary as his wife?
4. What circumstances got them to Bethlehem? Why was that important? Why was Herod upset at the birth of Jesus?