“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” v.52 (NLT)

It’s easy to forget that Jesus had a childhood just like us. That means he experienced some of the same childhood experiences that you and I experience. Even though he was God, He was still fully human and had to continually grow in the four areas mentioned in this verse. He grew in Wisdom (mental growth), Stature (physical growth), Favor with God (spiritual growth), Favor with all people (social growth).

This was a life long process for Him and should be for us! If you were to evaluate yourself in these four areas how are you growing? Maybe a better question is, Are you growing in each of these areas? I am talking about becoming healthier!! If you aren’t what is keeping you from growing in these areas? What are you going to start doing today in order to begin growing healthier and more like Christ?

“After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,’ the angel said. ‘Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’” v. 13

On the move, Joseph, Mary and Jesus move to Egypt to escape Herod’s decree to kill the baby boys 2 years old and younger. Herod was trying to secure his kingdom. He was fearful that Jesus would replace him as king, therefore he tried to eliminate Him (Jesus) by having all baby boys killed. What Herod didn’t realize is that Jesus wasn’t here to take his kingdom but to bring people back to a relationship with God and advance an Eternal Kingdom. Herod was more worried about his earthly kingdom, then the Eternal Kingdom Jesus would establish.

Ouch, how many times are we more concerned about building our own kingdoms than advancing the Eternal Kingdom Jesus came to establish. Sometimes we do this out of our own selfish desires, pride, unconfessed sin, a hardened heart, and/or lack of faith. Everyday we must learn to deny ourselves and pray, “God, today, may it be more about YOUR Kingdom than MY kingdom. May I decrees today so you can increase, in the areas that I am weak, will you be strong.” When we begin to have a heart like this, God is very pleased, and we are more available to be used by Him!

“After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” v.9-11

Jesus was probably 2 or 3 years of age when the wise men visited.  They never made it to the manger as many of our Nativity pieces at Christmas time declare.   When they arrived in Bethlehem, they worshiped and offered gift to the Christ Child.  Gold Frankincense and Myrrh, were all valuable gift.  These gifts were symbolic to who Jesus was and what would happen to Him.  The gold was a gift of royalty, the frankincense was a gift of deity, and the myrrh was a spice used to anoint the body for burial.

This causes me to think about my personal worship and what kind of gifts I am offering to Jesus?  Are my gifts convenient or sacrificial?  How far  and how long am I willing to travel to be with Jesus?  How well to I follow Gods lead, and trust that He is leading me in the right direction with absolute faith?  These are just some questions that are stirring in my heart right now!

“’Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
I have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!’”

Mary and Joesph took Jesus to dedicate Him to the Lord just as the Law of Moses stated should be done. While there, the Holy Spirit led two people to the temple that day to bear witness to Jesus. One was Simeon and the other was the prophet Anna. Both were old in age, and both had been waiting for the Messiah. On this day, they were able to see God promise of salvation fulfilled.

“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!” he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!’” V. 9-11

The greatest event in history had just happened! The Messiah had been born! For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally occurred, the announcement came to humble shepherds. The Good News about Jesus is that He comes to all, including the plain and ordinary. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Don’t think you need extraordinary qualifications – he accepts you as you are!

“This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:” v1

“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.’” v.23

Matthew starts his account of the life of Jesus by stating two very important details, 1) His Genealogy, and 2) His Virgin Birth.

First, why is his genealogy so important? Great question. In Jewish tradition a persons family line proved his or her standing as one of God’s chosen people. By showing that Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, the father of all Jews, and a direct descendant of David, thus fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s line. The fact of this ancestry were carefully preserved. This is the first of many proofs recorded by Matthew to show that Jesus is the True Messiah.

Second, why is the Virgin Birth so important? Another great question. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam. (That whole Garden thing really messed things up for you and I.) Because Jesus was born of a woman, he was a human being, but as the son of God, Jesus was born without any trace of human sin. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine.

So why is this important to us? Because Jesus lived as a man, we know that he fully understands our experience and struggles with temptation. The Difference, He never sinned. Because He is God, He has the power and authority to deliver us from sin. This is great news, we have a God that understand our struggle, but has the power to help in any situation when we ask.