When he had contemplated 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 as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
This all happened so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will name him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.”
When Joseph awoke from sleep he did what the angel of the Lord told him. He took his wife, but did not have marital relations with her until she gave birth to a son, whom he named Jesus. Matthew 1:20-25 NET
*Mary had an angelic visit, Joseph had a dream: God comes in many ways, but always as we can best receive Him. And He came to the world as a baby, humble and non-threatening.
*The writer takes a step back to remind the reader of Isaiah’s prophecy.
*The Greek name, Jesus, is the same as the Hebrew Yeshua (Joshua), which means “Yahweh [the Lord] saves.” (That other baby’s name, John, means “God is gracious.”)
*Blessed is the one whom the Lord God names! In the end, that will be each of us: “And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows except he who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17 Modern English Version). And that name will be exactly right – for each one of us!
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He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
And wonders, wonders of his love.
