SUNDAY LESSON, 12/13/20
GOD’S GIFT OF SALVATION
Matthew 1:20-21 and 1 Corinthians 1:18, 23
(selected passages)
When I was a kid my little brother Johnny and I would sneak under the Christmas tree and thoroughly examine our wrapped gifts. Some of the gifts we could tell immediately what they were–socks and underwear. Others we couldn’t quite tell, but hoped that at least one of the gifts under the Christmas wrapping would be what we asked for.
The children of Israel had been looking for the coming of the Messiah for centuries. Although Isaiah had prophesied that He would come as baby born to a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), I don’t think many truly expected the gift of God’s Son to come to this earth wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger and, ultimately end up hanging on a tree.
During the Christmas holiday all over the world the birth of the baby Jesus is celebrated. This season has brought a lot of joy and hope to countless people over the years. Jesus is God’s Gift of Salvation. However, the means by which salvation through Christ has come not only brings celebration but controversy.
To many, God in a manger is appealing, but God on a cross is appalling.
Matthew 1:18-21
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and 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. 21 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.”
