Neville Turley

But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God's children.  Galatians 4:4-5 (GNT)

As the Jews waited in anxious anticipation for his coming, a profile of the true Messiah was being revealed in the Old Testament.  In Isaiah 7:14 we read:  “... the Lord himself will give you a sign: a young woman who is pregnant will have a son and will name him ‘Immanuel.’”  Immanuel means “God with us”.

When people heard of the prophecy of Isaiah, they must have been as perturbed and perplexed as Joseph was to be centuries later. An Angel of the Lord assured Joseph that it was by the Holy Spirit that Mary had conceived. She would have a son who was to be named Jesus for he would save people from their sins. (Matthew 1:18-24)

Centuries before Isaiah, God had already revealed to Nathan; “I will be his Father and he will be my son, I will never take my love away from him.” (1 Chronicles 17:13)

Jesus is the Son of God. He came to earth in human form. As a human he lived a perfect life, an example to us all. Throughout his ministry Jesus reached out to a world enslaved in sin, to put us right with God on a one to one basis.

As Paul explained, “To show that you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, “Father, my Father.” So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children.” (Galatians 4: 6-7)

As a child of God, you are his heir, a co-heir with his Son, and he will never ever abandon you nor stop loving you. There is no greater blessing.

Prayer: Father we thank you for the precious heritage that we who are so unworthy received with the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Human words and feelings cannot express our joy and gratitude.  All praise, honour and glory be to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit - Blessed Trinity. Amen