We have a nativity scene with a young woman and a baby in a manger.
A virgin will give birth as a sign. Some argue the word means young women. The word can be translated young women or virgin. A young woman givng birth is not that much of a sign.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
And at her side is a man. A man who trusted God and took the woman as his wife eventhough she was with child.
Matthew 1:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lordappeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
Just as prophecied the babe was born in Bethlehem.
Micah 5
5 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
We see our man and woman traveling to Bethlehem from their home and while there she gave birth.
Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Our Christmas traditions of trees, Santa, presents, even Shepherds and wisemen are all secondary to this very simple story.
The Holy Spirit created a baby in the womb of a woman and that woman would give birth to a a baby who would be God with us. Emmanuel–God with us. Matthew 1:23
Journal exercise
God’s plan over time was for that babe to come into the world and to form a bridge between man and God.
That Baby was God in flesh.
To me this is the wildest thought in the world. Write what you feel about the idea that the creator of the universe came to earth in humblest form to a humble family in a small village in a stable with the animals. The King of Kings stepped into a babies body. He did all of this for you and me.
Fourth Day Adventures 