26 December 2021 Sunday Morning Service
Bible
Isaiah 9:1-7
Matthew 1:18-24
Isaiah
9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan–
9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
9:3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
9:4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
9:5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Matthew
1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
1:19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
1:20 But after he had 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.
1:21 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.”
1:22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
1:23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.”
1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.