There is so much to be learned in the nativity chapters. The truths are gripping and relevant for us. I want to focus on one thought—what the angel said to Joseph when he explained things about Mary.
Matthew 1:20 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
A virgin shall be with child. His name, Emmanuel, means God with us. What is the significance of this?
Mary was a virgin betrothed to Joseph. She had a good reputation. She had high standards. She loved the Lord. Yet, here she is pregnant. Joseph had a problem with this, but I want to look at the miracle. Joseph’s first reaction was as any of us would have. Perhaps her family had no trouble believing her. They probably felt honored and humbled that their daughter was the instrument for bringing their Messiah into the world. Their Messiah would be the Savior of the whole world.
Joseph didn’t know what to do. He went to sleep, and in a dream an angel clarified his thinking. Mary was fine spiritually; she was still a virgin and the child within her was Emmanuel, God with us. It meant God the Son was there with them. What does this mean to us? Everything! Are we saved by confessing to the preacher? Are we saved by performing a ritual or following rules? No. We had to admit we were lost and in need of a Savior. Jesus came into our heart; we carry him with us just like Mary did in her womb.
Because Mary carried him, he moved from her womb, to the cross, to the grave and to his ascension back to heaven all to ensure and create salvation for us. Through this we can accept a person into our heart as Mary did her womb. Jesus left Mary’s womb, but when we got saved he came in and has stayed there since. Lots of people move in and out of our lives, but Jesus stays. We carry within us the Son of God. God is in us through Jesus. God is with us. He is still present in this world because he lives within us.
His birth ignited a star that led the wise men to him from a faraway place. Jesus could have been close to 2 years old when they found him. Mary was still carrying Jesus. She carried him as long as it took, and if we take him he’ll stick with us. The least we can do is carry him with us. God help us be a home for Jesus. With him in our heart, we have a light within us that others can see and be saved. We hold the hope of the world. We’re not going downward or backward because if God be for us, who can be against us. We’re going upward!
The more we let God have his way, the more others will see it. It’s very noticeable that a woman is pregnant when she’s in her 7th, 8th, and 9th month. Carrying Jesus should be noticeable to others. The angel told Joseph not to be afraid. He told him she was still a virgin because the child was conceived by the Holy Ghost. Why did he tell Joseph all this? It was the fulfillment of prophecy. “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Mary carried the baby in her which meant that God was with her. Let’s carry Jesus as long as it takes and as far as it takes. No matter what comes or goes, God is with us. Mary carried him well. Let’s do the same.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 