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

The birth of Jesus Christ occurred in this way. When his mother… Matthew 1:18

The birth of Jesus Christ occurred in this way. When his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came to live together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 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. christmas Holy Spirit miracles
No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12	No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. love God neighbor

By faith Abraham also received the power of procreation, even though he was well past the age—and Sarah herself was barren—because he believed that the one who had made the promise would be faithful in fulfilling it. Hebrews 11:11	By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. trust faith reward
This is how we know what love is: he laid down his life for us, and we in turn must be prepared to lay down our lives for our brethren. 1 John 3:16	By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. love Jesus neighbor
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your kindness and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1	Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! love humility worship
The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. Proverbs 23:24	The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. joy wisdom family
Our temporary light afflictions are preparing for us an incomparable weight of eternal glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17	For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. eternal life suffering encouragement
Cure the sick who are there, and say, ‘The kingdom of God has come unto you.’ Luke 10:9	Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ healing sickness nearness
For the Lord, your God, is gracious and compassionate, and he will not turn his face away from you if you return to him. 2 Chronicles 30:9b	For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him. grace repentance conversion
He did not spare his own Son but gave him up for all of us. How then can he fail also to give us everything else along with him? Romans 8:32	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? sacrifice Father receiving
Thus you could understand that the Lord, your God, was disciplining you, just like a father disciplines his son. Deuteronomy 8:5	Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. Father learning punishment
God saved us and called us to a life of holiness, not because of our works but according to his own purpose and the grace that has been bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. 2 Timothy 1:9	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. grace holiness salvation
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy he has given us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3	Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. hope resurrection rebirth
My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. Proverbs 23:15	My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. wisdom heart joy
This is how we can be certain that we abide in him and that he abides in us: he has given us a share in his Spirit. 1 John 4:13	By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. God Spirit nearness
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that weighs us down and the sins that so easily distract us and with perseverance run the race that lies ahead of us. Hebrews 12:1	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. sin life overcoming
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer. However, the face of the Lord is set against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12	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. righteousness prayer listening
Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8	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. Savior obedience Jesus
Yet even so, because of your great compassion, you did not completely destroy them, nor did you forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. Nehemiah 9:31	Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. grace mercy nearness
All this took place in order to fulfill what the Lord had announced through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” a name that means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:22-23	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). prophecy miracles Jesus
His divine power has bestowed on us everything that is necessary for life and for devotion through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3	His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. strength life receiving
Just as you do not know the path of the wind or how the body is formed in a woman’s womb, so you do not know the work of God, the Creator of all. Ecclesiastes 11:5	As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. God understanding
What then can we say in response to all this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31	What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? God encouragement protection
For your kindness extends to the heavens; your faithfulness, to the skies. Psalm 57:11	For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. love reliability
Jesus answered, “If it is possible! All things are possible for one who has faith.” Mark 9:23	And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” faith miracles healing