OzThoughts Thursday 18th December 2008

OzThoughts Thursday 18th December 2008

As we think about the message of Christmas and how we receive it, our attention must come to focus on the Baby of Bethlehem. As we considered yesterday, the beginning of John’s Gospel sets out a statement of faith as to who Jesus is and his existence as God at creation. John goes on to make the statement that “The word became flesh and dwelt amongst us.”

Matthew in his story of Jesus tells something more of the one who became flesh and dwelt amongst us. The angel messenger told Joseph in a dream two names that Mary’s son would bear. The first name was Jesus, which sets out in its meaning the mission of Jesus: “for he shall save his people from their sins”. The second name was “Emmanuel” which sets out the reminder of the fact that “God is with us”.

We see more clearly a part of the message of Christmas, the Babe of Bethlehem is God with us who is to be the Saviour from our sins.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you again for the Babe of Bethlehem. There is so much I do not understand but I thank you for your holy Word which reminds me of your message to men through Jesus. I see a message of your presence and your salvation. I pray that the holy spirit may continue to reveal the fullness of this truth to me. Amen.

[Lookand Listen: (Piano) http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=SgfmTQCEFg8&feature=related
or (Male chorus)
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=uhJ0WeVTZBY
or (Brass band)
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=dTwBgj68-2Q&feature=related ]

Who is he in yonder stall,
At whose feet the shepherds fall?

Chorus
'Tis the Lord! O wondrous story,
'Tis the Lord, the King of Glory!
At his feet we humbly fall,
Crown him, crown him Lord of all!

Who is he in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?

Who is he to whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?

Who is he on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

Who is he who from the grave
Comes to succor, help and save?

Who is he whom from his throne
Rules through all the worlds alone?
Author: Benjamin Russell Hanby (1833-97)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 104

Matthew 1 (New International Version©)

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.
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 had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1 (The Message©)

21 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."
22 This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term:
23 Watch for this--a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Emmanuel (Hebrew for "God is
with us").
24 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary.
25 But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
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The New International Version (NIV®) and The Message ® are copyright and are used here with permissions granted for “church purposes”. These versions plus others may be accessed at www.gospelcom.net

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