NATIVITY By Mike Herron

Chapter 11: THE BIRTH OF JESUS THE MESSIAH - Matthew 1:18-25 (December 24 th )

atthew’s account of the birth of Jesus was written from Joseph’s perspective while Luke’s rendition of the nativity was according to Mary. Both of the gospels tell us the pregnancy was a result of the Holy Spirit and that Mary was a virgin. The mystery and wonder of the conception can never be grasped on an intellectual basis alone; it is ‘expressed in words of utter simplicity yet of perfect adequacy.’ 1 Jesus’ birth, although unique and unrepeatable, foreshadows the unexplainable experience of being born again. ‘Just as you hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.’ (Jn 3:8) 18This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: 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. The word birth is the Greek ‘ genesis’ ...’The evangelist is about to describe, not the genesis of heaven and earth, but the genesis of Him who made the heaven and earth, and who will yet make a new heaven and new earth.’ 2 The Jewish marriage ceremony began with a formal, binding engagement. After about one year ‘the woman (normally about 13 or 14) would leave her father’s home and go to live with husband in a public ceremony. 3 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Mary had just spent three months with her cousin Elizabeth. The narrative leads us to believe she had not informed