The Christmas story

In light of Christmas day, soon to be here, I am just posting part of today's reading from Matthew.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

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. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^c because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

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What a way for God to come to the world to save us!  This story shows how much God is interested in having a relationship with us, that we came as a child, to real parents, and grew up among us.

The wonder of it all

Job
I found some really neat stuff in a number of passages today.  For instance, the end of Job 26.  I love reading passages that describe the work of God in nature.

"He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it. . . . By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent.  And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him!  Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

How faint the whisper we hear of God.  We can look around and see evidence of his handiwork, and we are in awe and wonder.  How much more so when we see him face to face!

Hosea/Revelation

Hosea 6:6 - "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."  Hosea is painting a picture of unrepentant Israel throughout his book.  This verse seems to hit at the heart of his message.  Israel is sinful, yet still trying to put on a pious face by going through the motions.  That's similar to the church of Ephesus that we read about in Revelation.  The Ephesians had done all the right stuff, but had forgotten their first love, their passion for God.

Let's not miss the point or take the letter of the law over the spirit of it.  God made us for relationship, not for rules.  Let's be relational!