Musings and Contemplations

Isaiah 40:3 ESV
In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Isaiah 7:10-17 NKJV
Moreover, the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!” Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name Immanuel. Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings. The Lord will bring the king of Assyria upon you and your people and your father’s house—days that have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah.“

Warren Wiersbe
Ahaz acted very pious by refusing to receive a sign from God. So, the Lord turned from Ahaz and gave a sign to the entire house of David (v. 13). This sign was fulfilled ultimately in the birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:23). He was born of the Virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:31–35). To make the word “virgin” in v. 14 into the word “young woman” is to twist the Scriptures. His name was “Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Jesus Christ is God come in human flesh, yet without sin (John 1:14). He is not merely a “good man” or a “great teacher;” He is the very Son of God. To deny this is to deny the Word of God.^[1]

Matthew 1:18-25 NKJV
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So, all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Warren Wiersbe
“Betrothal” (engagement) among the Jews was as binding as marriage. When Joseph discovered Mary’s condition, he naturally assumed she had been unfaithful to him. Note his prudence: “While he thought on these things” (v. 20). How important it is to be “slow to wrath” and to consider matters thoughtfully! It took great faith for Joseph to believe God’s message in the dream. His love for God and for Mary made him willing to “bear reproach” for Christ. Imagine how the neighbors must have talked! In John 8:41, there is a suggestion that the Jews slandered Christ’s birth, intimating that He was born of fornication. Satan has always attacked the truth of the Virgin Birth, for when he does, he denies the Person and work of Christ and the truth of the Bible. The name Jesus means “Savior” and is a Greek version of the Hebrew name “Joshua.” In the Old Testament, there are two well-known Joshuas: the soldier who led Israel into Canaan and the high priest mentioned in Zechariah 3. Christ is our Captain of Salvation, leading us to victory. He is our Great High Priest, representing us before the throne of God.^[2]

Gospel Way Catechism Question #26
Who is Jesus of Nazareth?
Jesus of Nazareth is the sinless Son of God, born of the virgin Mary. He is more than a teacher or moral guide. His words and works give us the true meaning of God’s Law and a preview of God’s promise to make all things new.[3]

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.[4]

Joseph’s Song

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993), Is 7:1–16.
^[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 16.
[3] Trevin Wax and Thomas West, The Gospel Way Catechism, p. 98.
[4] Prayer for the fourth Sunday in Advent, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 599.