First Christian Church

By Bruce Humes

Pastor

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ is as follows: After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying ‘Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us’” (Matthew 1:18-23, NKJV).

As we approach the Christmas season, it prompts us to search the Scriptures that speak of that which we celebrate–namely, the birth of Jesus Christ.

Matthew gives an account of the miraculous conception of the Virgin Mary which was prophesied of by Isaiah 700 years earlier. It is often called the immaculate, meaning pure, undefiled, without blemish, but theologically, it means without sin conception. So we get the idea of he who was conceived was without sin. Jesus certainly fills that description. Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:21 says “For he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.”

This is but one of many Old Testament scriptures that speaks of the one to come, the one who would save his people from their sins. We see three things in Isaiah’s prophetic word: a foretelling of a unique conception and birth: “Behold the virgin shall conceive,” the gender of the child: “she shall bring forth a son,” and what the child’s name would be, “and they shall call him Immanuel, meaning ‘God with us.’” Looking into Scripture, we see what was prophesied by Isaiah was fulfilled in the unique conception and birth of Jesus; he would later in his earthly sojourning go to the cross and die for each one of our sins, but he would be raised from the dead, bringing victory over what held us in bondage, namely our sins.

Christians celebrate that event every year on Easter morning, but the celebration of Christmas is a celebration of his birth- a time when we share gifts with family and friends just as the wise men bore gifts to the child, Jesus.

As Christians, by faith, we celebrate the birth of that which was conceived of a virgin by the Holy Spirit, certainly a miracle only God could perform. And just think, he let us know 700 years in advance of his intentions. We recognize that without the birth there would be no death, burial, and resurrection that brought the gift of salvation to mankind. And just like any gift we receive, it must be accepted and used.

If you want to speak to someone at the church or if you have a need, call the church office at (562) 431-8810. Leave a recorded message, and someone will return your call as soon as possible.