The Grands Letter (Matt/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on December 6, 2024 5:34 pm (CST)Dear Grands,
Matthew 1:18-23, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”
Someone recently asked me how old I was. Just imagine! What an impertinent question from a long-time friend. I had to laugh when I shared what was my non-shared “secret.” Can you remember the day of your birth? You were there! What an obvious question!
As silly as it seems now, I can remember when a few of us boys plotted to learn the age of one of the older (and mysterious) women in our small town. It was a good plan, yet it didn’t work. Two or three of us went into the ministry, leaving such boyish pranks behind and emphasizing the Birthday of the Greatest Gift to the world!
To the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we celebrate His Birthday!
Galatians 4:1-7, “Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything,
2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.
3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,
5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.”
