God in the midst of us
Dr. Roberto Miranda
(Audio: English, Spanish) ->Alternate
SUMMARY: The core message of Christmas is that God became man in the form of Jesus Christ. This was not an afterthought, but a purpose that was in God's heart from the beginning. The name Emanuel means that Jesus is God, which gives us confidence in His authority and sufficiency. Jesus is worthy of our praise and worship, and we can come into the presence of God without fear because Jesus understands our struggles and pain. He experienced the whole spectrum of human experience and struggles, and came through it without sin. Because God became flesh, there is no longer any division necessary between God and humanity.
The speaker discusses the significance of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, where God became flesh to bridge the gap between humanity and God. Only through faith in Jesus can this gap be bridged, and through Jesus, diverse people can become one. The speaker encourages the audience to welcome Jesus into their hearts and lives, and for the church to be a refuge and harbor for those who want to invite Christ into their lives. The audience is invited to raise their hands and stand if they want to invite Jesus into their lives. The speaker prays for the audience and for the city of Boston to experience the power of the gospel and the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
The speaker discusses the significance of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, where God became flesh to bridge the gap between humanity and God. Only through faith in Jesus can this gap be bridged, and through Jesus, diverse people can become one. The speaker encourages the audience to welcome Jesus into their hearts and lives, and for the church to be a refuge and harbor for those who want to invite Christ into their lives. The audience is invited to raise their hands and stand if they want to invite Jesus into their lives. The speaker prays for the audience and for the city of Boston to experience the power of the gospel and the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Mathew, chapter 1, verse 18 and following. This is how the birth of Lord 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. But after he considered this 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 will give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from the sins.” And all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emanuel” – which means God with us…”
“…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. But after he considered this 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 will give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from the sins.” And all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emanuel” – which means God with us…”
