The very story of Jesus birth is itself a miracle. In a time when dogma and religious rule were critical, God brought His Son into the world in a most unorthodox way. Born of a virgin, from a small town in Israel. Born in the town of Bethlehem because of Roman rule. Welcomed by angels and visited by shepherds. Jesus’ story is itself an Amazing Journey. Jesus’s earthly dad, Joseph had a great heart–he was ready to walk away from Mary–his fiancé, to hide her shame–but like Zacheriah and Mary, He was visited by the Angel and given the job of raising God’s son. He must have been a great man because He raised a great son.
The Christmas story is a wonder. God was proud to bring his son into the world, but as such, God knew the journey ahead would be difficult. From birth to resurrection the battle would be spiritual. Jesus would face every trial a man faced, He would send a new message that Adonai was a personal God, not simply a national symbol. That he offered men the opportunity to have a personal relationship with Him and would give eternal life to all that believed. In addition, He would demonstrate ministry in a way never shown to God’s people. He would embrace the disenfranchised. He would feed the hungry, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leper, love the unlovable and call out the self-righteous religious leaders for their complete disregard of God’s calling to be a nation of priests.
This birth was more than a minor miracle–it was the beginning of restoration that would restore God’s plan and people top the place of love and honor they were promised. As His chosen, we are the benefactors of that first Christmas. We see the result of the baby born to a virgin and laid in a manger. We are gifted with abundant life on earth and eternal life in God’s presence. No wonder angels sang, shepherds celebrated, and magi traveled from distant lands. This was the birth of the Savior of all mankind.
God Bless You
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.[[[MATT 1
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[d]: 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[e] 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,[f] 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”[g] (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. ]]]
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Walking With God 