Author's Note: All previous studies of this series are here. The first 56 studies are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring studies 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Thanks for joining us. This week’s lesson helps us prepare for next Sunday’s first Christmas Eve Bible study: “What Christmas Eve Means To Me.” I suggest you think and pray about that topic as you are “rockin' ‘round the Christmas tree…”
But this year, there is no rockin' in Bethlehem since Christmas festivities were canceled for political reasons. Therefore, at a “Quick Bible Study,” we compensate with studies to ensure that Jesus is not canceled. So, if you missed lessons from Dec. 3 or Dec. 10, check them out if you need an injection of “the reason for the season.”
Today, we begin at the beginning of the New Testament with the book of Matthew, where the first verse reads:
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).
That first sentence was in line with why Matthew wrote his gospel — to prove to Jewish readers that Jesus was their Messiah. It is an understatement how that first verse is not well received by my Jewish people, who ignore or, in many cases, don’t even know that Jesus was born Jewish. Yet, the New Testament is filled with verses that attest to Rabbi Jesus' devout practice of his faith. This all-important genealogy of Jesus spans most of the first chapter, ending with:
“Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah” (Matthew 1: 17). Then followed by verse 18’s narrative about the Christmas story’s dramatic miracle:
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: 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. 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” (Matthew 1:18-19).
Keep all of that in mind as we skip to Luke’s gospel, which records the back story of Mary’s pregnancy from her perspective.
The following verses from Luke teach us what I believe is a valuable biblical lesson not usually associated with Christmas — “obedience to the Lord.” Of course, the Lord chose Mary because He knew she would be obedient. There is a powerful beauty to the passages Luke 1: 26-38, which most of us have read many times. Yet, whenever I read them, it fills me with awe:
“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph (Yosef in Hebrew), a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.” (Miriam in Hebrew.)
Gabriel said, “‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” But Gabriel said, “‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.’” (Yeshua in Hebrew.)
Here is the best part that impacts us and the world forever and ever. Gabriel, as God’s messenger, told Mary what is as true today as it was when Mary heard the angel say:
“‘He [Jesus] will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.’” This passage exclaims His identity and mission while explaining why believers can trust the Lord Jesus.
As you can imagine, for a teenage virgin, Gabriel’s conception message was overwhelming to absorb. Even more complicated since she was betrothed to Joseph. Thus, Mary’s response was one of confusion:
“‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’” Not your normal explanation.
Then Gabriel tells Mary about another miraculous pregnancy in her family. The angel speaks about the baby who grew up to be “John the Baptist.” Gabriel said:
“‘Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.’” Then Gabriel concludes his headline-filled visit with truth that stands the test of time and helps explain our faith:
“For nothing will be impossible with God." That popular verse appears in the English Standard Revised translation. However, the NIV reads: “For no word from God will ever fail.” Both are words to live by when times are tough, and no gifts are under your tree.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, we arrive at Mary’s obedience to the Lord. Even though she knows that she and Joseph are careening toward a major scandal that will cast shame upon them and their families, Mary bravely says:
“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.”
This event is not a fairy tale, but without faith, it is easy to believe that it is.
Jesus is "The Truth." The real Christmas fairy tale is about an overweight old guy dressed in red and white who drives a reindeer-driven sleigh, stopping to shimmy down chimneys with sacks of gifts.
What happened to Joseph was also miraculous. We first read how Matthew chronicled that Joseph — upon hearing his betrothed was “with child ” — wanted to divorce. So, Gabriel visited him:
“But after he had considered this [divorce], 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. 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’” (Matthew 1:20-21).
Gabriel’s message from God speaks The Truth: Jesus “will save his people from their sins.” Neither that verse nor “obedience to the Lord” are traditional Christmas messages, but both are priceless lessons and gifts to receive, believe, and incorporate into your life. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
Myra is also the Executive Director of SignFromGod.org and the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Both are educational donor-supported ministries dedicated to building a permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. Visit the life-sized Shroud replica in D.C. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com.
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