Walk With The Lord Daily Devotion

SATURDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2023

TEXT: Matthew 1:18-25

18: This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

19: Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20: But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

21: She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22: All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

23: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24: When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

25: But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: THE PROPHETIC DIMENSION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

Matthew chooses to narrate five episodes surrounding the conception, birth and infancy of Jesus, all of which fulfil Old Testament prophecy.

Every detail of the narration was prophesied by Isaiah, Micah, etc, over 700 years before the event occurred.

Prophecy authenticates the Bible as God's Word. The Bible is the only religious book that has prophecies and fulfilments.

It is important to note that Jesus had no human paternity but was supernaturally conceived by the power of God in keeping with the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6-7 and Micah 5:2-5.

The birth of Jesus Christ is a historical milestone. It's a fact and therefore worth celebrating in a holy manner.

The excesses, the abuse and the wild orgies that characterise the celebration of Christmas are sinful and a bad testimony.

QUESTION: Do you know Christ in a personal way?

PRAYER: Thank You, Jesus, for enriching human history with Your very self for my salvation. Amen.