Today's passage is frequently recounted, but that takes nothing away from the substantial and beautiful truth herein. This powerful message bears repeating, not only in a general sense, but in a specific sense: in your life, to those whom God has placed around you. There is great value in sharing this message with family and friends who hold this truth dear. There is a critical need to share this message with those who don't believe--to imitate Jesus who, in Luke 19:10, stated He came to seek and save the lost. Let the word of God encourage and embolden you to share this story with both believers and unbelievers this Christmas season.

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from 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.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ How did Mary come to be pregnant? [v18]

+ How did Joseph initially react to the news? [v19]

+ How did God change Joseph's mind? [v20-23; the prophetic quote is from Isaiah 7:14]

+ How did Joseph respond? [v24-25]

+ What do we know about Jesus from this passage? [v18-25]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Joseph demonstrated radical obedience by immediately conforming to God's will. In what way is God calling you to confirm, and how will you respond?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ This is the perfect time of year to relay this simple yet profound story to those who need to hear it, who do not know or believe. Whom will you tell?

STUDY GUIDE [ WWW.ESV.ORG ] (optional)

+ Matt. 1:18-25 The Angelic Announcement of the Conception of Jesus the Messiah. A new era in Israel’s history begins with the story of Jesus’ conception in the little town of Nazareth. The angel announces his conception (v18–21), explaining that he is the prophesied Immanuel (v22–23). Joseph immediately obeys the angel’s directive (v24–25)

+ Matt. 1:21 The name Jesus was given to sons as a symbolic hope for the Lord’s anticipated sending of salvation through a Messiah who would purify his people and save them from oppression. But the angel points to a more important theme: to save his people from their sins. Salvation from sins was a repeated promise in OT prophets (e.g., Isa. 40:2; 53:6; Jer. 31:31–34; Ezek. 36:25–27; Dan. 9:24; Zech. 13:1).

+ Matt. 1:25 The name “Jesus” specifies what he does (“God saves”), while the messianic title “Immanuel” (v. 23) specifies who he is (“God with us”).