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

No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another… 1 John 4:12

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 seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. love God neighbor
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, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. love Jesus neighbor

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 was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. christmas Holy Spirit miracles
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 also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. trust faith reward
Our temporary light afflictions are preparing for us an incomparable weight of eternal glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17	For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. eternal life suffering encouragement
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your kindness and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1	Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. 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, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. joy wisdom family
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 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 delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? sacrifice Father receiving
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, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. hope resurrection rebirth
Cure the sick who are there, and say, ‘The kingdom of God has come unto you.’ Luke 10:9	And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ healing sickness nearness
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 has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. grace holiness salvation
Thus you could understand that the Lord, your God, was disciplining you, just like a father disciplines his son. Deuteronomy 8:5	You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you. Father learning punishment
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 will rejoice—indeed, I myself. wisdom heart joy
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 prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. righteousness prayer listening
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 we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. sin life overcoming
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, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the 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 mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; For You are God, gracious and merciful. grace mercy nearness
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
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	As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. strength life receiving
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	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.” prophecy miracles Jesus
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
Rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn back to the Lord, your God. For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and always prepared to relent from punishing. Joel 2:13	So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. heart grace love
Before the mountains were brought forth or the earth and the world came into existence, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2	Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. creation God understanding
Jesus replied, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.” John 8:34	Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” addiction sin slavery

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.

As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.