His virgin conception.
His miraculous protection from Herod.
Bethlehem as His birthplace.
His heritage coming from King David.
Even the fact that Mary was a virgin was miraculous, in a time where the evil soldiers of Herod could take any girl they so chose for any purpose.
And the wonder of Christmas is not peace, but love. The greatest love ever. A love that drove him to the horrific cruel cross.
Another great miracle...Joseph and Mary from Nazareth are called away from their hometown to travel the 80-something journey South to a tiny town where their ancestors had originally lived 40 generations before. All to fulfill a prophecy given over 400 years earlier by the prophet Micah that He would be born in Bethlehem.
That His bloodline was pure. There was a catch in the geneology of Joseph. Joseph's lineage traces back to David's son Solomon, giving Christ the Davidic covenant of an everlasting kingdom. However King Jeconiah (Coniah) , son of Josiah, was told by Jeremiah that none of his sons could carry the line on, and the throne was given to his brother.
"Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah."
~Jeremiah 22:30
God is wonderful! He even found away around His own divine punishment of Jeconiah's sin! Mary's family line followed through David's son Nathan.
What is THE miracle of Christmas?
The answer is found in Matthew 1:21
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins."
1 comment:
Nothing average about Christmas, indeed!
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