When God fulfilled His promise to bring Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the LORD to earth, there were several chosen people that were blessed to be part of God's plan of salvation. 

 

Bible Story: Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Magi

Bible verse: She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

 

God sent the angel to Mary, a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph. The angel said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." The angel said that Mary will conceive and give birth to a son by the power of the Holy Spirit, she is to call him Jesus, He will be great, will be called the Son of the Most High, He will reign forever, and his kingdom will never end. Mary humbly submitted to God's Will and responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." 

 

God also sent an angel of the Lord to Joseph in a dream. Joseph found out Mary, who was pledged to be married to him, was pregant through the Holy Spirit. Joseph planned to divorce her quietly. But an angel of the Lord said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his prople from their sins." So Joseph faithfully obeyed God's call and took Mary as his wife. And Joseph and Mary became Jesus' earthly parents. 

 

An angel of the Lord also appeared to the shepherds. When Jesus was born, they were living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. They were chosen by God to witness their Savior, baby Jesus born in a manger. The angel said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great compnay of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them, they went to Bethlehem, found Mary, Joseph, and the baby and they spread the Word and glorified and praised God. 

 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God also revealed to Magi from the east that the King was born. The Magi followed His star and traveled a long journey to worship Jesus. The star went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was and they were overjoyed. They saw the child with his mother, Mary and they bowed down and worshiped Him. They opend their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

 

Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Magi welcomed the birth of Jesus with obedience, faith, worship, testimony, and treasures and gifts. God sent His Son Jesus to be born as a baby humbly in a manger, live here on earth, and die on the cross for our sins so whoever believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life. Jesus is the greatest gift God has given us. And just as God has personally invited Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Wise Men to respond and witness Jesus the Messiah, He invites us this Christmas and knocks on our hearts to receive and believe Him as our LORD and Savior and respond with life filled with worship, praise, faith, obedience, and bring Him our treasures and gifts. 

 

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