For unto us a child is born (2/4)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When… Matthew 1:18

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. Matthew 1:18	This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. christmas Holy Spirit miracles
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Psalm 115:1	Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. love humility worship

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11	It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. trust faith reward
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 4:17	For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! eternal life suffering encouragement
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16	We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. love Jesus neighbor
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32	Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? sacrifice Father receiving
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Proverbs 23:24	The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. joy wisdom family
For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him. 2 Chronicles 30:9b	For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful. If you return to him, he will not continue to turn his face from you. grace repentance conversion
Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. 2 Timothy 1:9	For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. grace holiness salvation
Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. Deuteronomy 8:5	Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good. Father learning punishment
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1	Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. sin life overcoming
My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. Proverbs 23:15	My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! wisdom heart joy
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” John 8:34	Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.” addiction sin slavery
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12	The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil. righteousness prayer listening
And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. Deuteronomy 6:24	And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear him so he can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as he has done to this day. obedience blessing law
Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. Nehemiah 9:31	But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are! grace mercy nearness
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” John 14:8	Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Father contentment
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8	Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Savior obedience Jesus
For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalm 57:10	For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. love reliability
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31	What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? God encouragement protection
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:22-23	All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” prophecy miracles Jesus
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14	All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). christmas Jesus miracles
You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless. Exodus 22:22-24	You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless. widows orphans
Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. Proverbs 4:10	My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. Word of God obedience law
For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us. Isaiah 33:22	For the Lord is our judge, our lawgiver, and our king. He will care for us and save us. righteousness salvation kingdom

And rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

“Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.