The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they enjoyed their wedding night, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic revelation to full term:
Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).
Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25 The Message
We’ve journeyed through the whole season of Advent, and now we’re here!
Christmas Day has dawned — quietly, boldly, tenderly — just as it did that first night. And wherever you find yourself today, this good news still meets you right where you are.
For the woman surrounded by laughter and noise, for the one holding joy and grief at the same time, for the one longing for something more, and for the one simply trying to make it through the day — Immanuel has come. God is with us. Not only in our celebrations, but in our questions, our weariness, our longing, and our hope.
Jesus did not arrive wrapped in ease or certainty, but in vulnerability and love. Born into a complicated story. Named God saves. Given as a gift for all of us. And that gift still holds — this day, this year, always.
So today we celebrate together, sisters in Christ. We rejoice in the greatest gift the world has ever known: Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He sees you. He loves you. He is near.
May your heart feel warmed by His presence. May you sense how deeply you are loved. And may the wonder of God-with-us fill your soul with quiet joy.
Glory to God in the highest.
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