These are the five more things I learned about the birth of Jesus, and faith and obedience.

Five things I learned about Christmas from reading about it in the bible.

The story of the birth of Jesus is one of hope and a restored relationship with our Father God. His birth was as miraculous as it was unusual. Here are a few things about Christmas and this great event you may want to know. In this story you will read about the faith and obedience of Joseph and Mary, and how God used them to change history. And we can learn it all from just reading about it in the bible!

One, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18

This is a problem. In Leviticus 20:10 it says “…the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death…”. If her husband exposed her, she would be killed. And someone would have gone looking for the man (presumably). This was very unusual and was socially unacceptable. But God was using this young couple for His purposes, with their consent. That is important, these young people were willing followers of God.  Here is how Mary reacted, “And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her”. Luke 1:38. The fact that she was following God changed everything.

Two, “19  And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned  to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21  She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”” Matthew 1:19-21

Joseph was a righteous man; he followed the law God gave to the Israelites through Moses. But he also was merciful, he did not want any harm coming to Mary. His concern for Mary is a great example of living and acting with mercy. The same mercy God has for us; he did not point his finger and accuse her of sin. Her life was important to him. These things make him an example we should all want to follow. This was true two thousand years ago, and it is till true.

Three, “24  And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25   but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.” Matthew 1:24-25

Joseph obeyed God. This is the essence of faith. It revealed to us the great faith that he had and lived by. Because of his faith he was used by God to raise the young Jesus to maturity. This shows us how important our faith is, and how important our lives are.

Four, “5  They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”” Matthew 2:5-6

One thing that happens when God is moving is that the evil forces in the world try to stop Him (but they cannot). The ruler of that part of the Roman empire, Herod, did not want any rivals to his rule (Matt 2:3, 2:16-20). Herod wanted to know where Jesus was so he could kill Him. There is no limit to the depths these evil forces will go to stop the gospel.

Five, “And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way”. Matthew 2:12

How did God stop the baby Jesus from being killed? Did He send an army to destroy Herod? No! He appeared in a dream to the “three wise men” who had visited the young Jesus and they did not return to Herod with the child’s whereabouts. This is quite a story, and it reveals that even in the middle of death and destruction God will protect us.

Jesus came to restore our relationship with God,  which we destroyed by walking away from God.  Despite insurmountable odds, Jesus was still triumphant. The story continues with the great hope of the gospel, a hope to which we all must respond in faith. If we do, what we lost by sin is restored by grace.  And that is good news!