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 1:21
Last Christmas, I shared that Jesus fulfilled all righteousness even to his birth. He could have easily emerged given his track record – an all-powerful God who spoke things into being. Yet he chose to follow the due process of being conceived and born.
Joseph was contemplating breaking off his engagement to Mary following the revelation that she was pregnant and he had nothing to do with it. Imagine this heart to heart over a hot drink, at a local coffee shop.
Joseph: Babe, we planned to wait until the wedding night. What happened? Who did it?
Mary: Sobbing bitterly with her head down she said: I promise you honey, I kept my vow to you. I have known no man but I haven’t been the same after one angel visited me, and said something about God being with me and giving me great favour. My monthly visitor has since vanished. I remember him saying God had a wonderful blessing and surprise for me, that I would become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
Joseph: An angel? Who else saw him? How come you never told me? Exactly how has God favoured you? As for the blessing and surprise, is it this pregnancy? Have you ever heard of such a thing? Why you of all the maidens in Jerusalem?
Mary: Jo, I don’t know but I told the angel I had never slept with a man.
Joseph: Did you sleep with a ghost then? How did this happen Mary? I need to know!
Mary: The angel just said, the Holy Spirit will come on me, and God’s power will rest upon me. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God. That’s all I know, Jo and I have no idea when the Holy Spirit came. I need you to get through this – you promised you would love me forever, no matter what.
Joseph: I love you Mary but this is difficult. What will I say to your parents? How do I explain my innocence to the priest, synagogue and community? Drink up; I need to go do some thinking.
I am certain Jo had a hard time sleeping that night , and when he could no longer resist the urge to sleep, he dozed off and an angel appeared to him in a dream and spoke these words:
Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife: God was revealing he knew Joseph even from his ancestry. He also addressed the issue of fear and assured him Mary was the trophy! Take her home! That’s a word for somebody 
Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy. Luke 2:10
Because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit: Meaning special planning went into what Mary carried. She was infused and completely filled with a God-seed, which over time took root and began to grow. Worth more than stock, bond, cash, or any security, this was heaven’s investment on earth. God was in other words saying, manage my portfolio, Jo! Do you have any idea what you carry?
Flesh and blood give birth to flesh and blood, but the Spirit gives birth to things that are spiritual. John 3:6
She will give birth to a son: A son is not only a male child but an heir and true representative of the father. A son can stand in and speak on behalf of his household. Is it any wonder that Jesus would announce ‘‘I and my father are one’’? He had vested power and authority to establish the will of the father on earth. Friend, what you are about to bear is divine, extraordinary, and significant!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6a
You are to give him the name Jesus: A name is more than a label or brand. In ancient times, a person’s name was linked to their reputation and served as a character identifier. There were other male children born about this time but Jesus’ name set him apart. The difference between you and they is your name. I am glad I know a name that opens doors and makes things happen for me. Your name could be a game-changer!
His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This is why God has given him an exceptional honor- the name honored above all other names- so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He had been conceived. Isaiah 9:6b, Philippians 2:9-11, Luke 2:21
He will save his people: God foreknew his people would need deliverance and made provision for it. Outcasts would later connect and benefit, but the bottom-line is that he came for his own. Salvation is all about preventing ruin, destruction, loss, or harm. It is synonymous to redemption where a rescue operation is undertaken to recover, restore and repair the violated, damaged, incarcerated and blemished. God will through you birth something that will become a source of healing or preservation for masses.
They said to the woman, “We now believe not only because of your words; we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world.” John 4:42