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. 19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
23 “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.’ ”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.
TALK
Joseph had a choice to make. He and Mary were not married and yet she was pregnant. Everyone was telling him that he should break off the relationship and move on with life. But God says something different to Joseph. God tells him that he should stay with Mary because the baby inside her is pretty special.
There are other people who chose to do what God asked them to do instead of listening to other people.The Magi listened to God instead of King Herod. (Matthew 2.9-12)
Zechariah listened to God and named his son John (later he was called John the Baptist).Everyone else was telling him to name his son Hank or something like that (...okay, maybe not Hank). (Luke 1.57-66)
Sometimes God’s way seems really different than what other people think should be the right way. But these people trusted God’s way and in the end, it was God’s way that saved (and saves) us from our sins.
ASK
We see lots of pictures and hear stories about Christmas on TV.What do those pictures and stories tell us about Christmas?Do you think these are the same ideas that God had in mind when he sent Jesus?Why or why not?
What other “voices” do you hear telling you about Christmas? What is the message you hear from them?
Write down what you think are the big ideas about Christmas.Have each person share one or two words that help explain what Christmas is about.
RESPOND
Look at the list of words that you put together.What are some ways you can make sure these words (or ideas) are part of your Christmas celebrations?
...Maybe it means you give a little more to those who need it instead of yourselves.
...Maybe it means spending more time helping others this Christmas.Or doing more things together as a family.
And for those things that can be hard to do...but you know are what God desires, take some time to pray about them, asking God to give you strength to do what we know is right.
