22nd December 2024

Matthew 1:18-25

God with Us

The birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the

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Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away

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And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name

, for He will save His people from their

Reveal Answer

.

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name

, which is translated, ‘

Reveal Answer

’.”

Which prophecy from the old testament is fulfilled, where the virgin will bear a son, and His name will be Immanuel, meaning “God with us”.

The angel reassures Joseph that this is God’s plan, and the child Mary is carrying is conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, whose name means “He will save,” is sent to save His people from their sins. This establishes the presence of God with us—not just in a physical sense, but in the form of Jesus Christ who came to deliver and be with His people.

Reflection Questions:

1. What does the virgin birth of Jesus teach us about the nature of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine?
   

2. How does Joseph’s response to the angel’s message show his faith and trust in God’s plan?
   

3. What is the significance of the name “Jesus,” and what does it reveal about His mission?
   

4. Why is it important that Jesus is called Immanuel (“God with us”)? How does this truth impact our understanding of God’s relationship with humanity?
   

5. How can we demonstrate obedience and faith like Joseph in our own lives, especially when we don’t fully understand God’s plans?