November 30th 2025
Matthew 1:19–21.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
We’re given just a little glimpse of Mary and Joseph before Jesus was born.
They lived in the hill country of Galilee.
Joseph was a religious man.
Mary gives every evidence of having a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, even though she was a teenager.
The parents were bound by their traditions to teach the children the Law.
This was always the mothers job, so Mary would have had to learn so she could teach her own children
The Bible teaches that God was so pleased with her that He chose her to be the mother of Jesus.
Mary and Joseph weren’t married, and yet Mary became pregnant.
Joseph being unaware of the Angels visit to Mary at this stage.
Luke 1
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
I’ve often put myself in Joseph’s place—imagined his thoughts, his aspirations about the girl to whom he was engaged.
But Joseph decided to break the engagement privately.
While he was thinking about these things, God’s angel appeared to him in a dream to give Joseph an explanation of the situation.
All Joseph’s suspicions were put away.
He accepted what God had said through the angel, and he was immediately married to Mary.
Both Joseph and Mary followed the call and plan of God, and through their obedience the way was prepared for Christ to come and bless us.
As we are now approaching the Advent season, and in it when you read this, it is important that we see the real plans of God for our Salvation.
We who are not Jews are now brought into God’s unique plan to save us as well as His chosen race of people
Genesis 3 v 15 says
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
bruise his heel.
This is the first promise of a Saviour. But later promises pointed to the Jews. And not the gentiles
so now Jesus opens it up to all who believe
Are you seeking to follow God’s call on your life?
Are you actively responding to Him?
We need to spread this word to all who we know, before it is too late for them to turn to Jesus for the forgiveness of sins
Trust God and His word as both Mary and Joseph did
We need to say “OK Lord whatever you want to do with us we are ready to serve you”
News from the Church New dates
3rd December..…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
17th December…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
if you just want to talk well that’s OK too
21st December….. Carol Service at 6-30pm
25th December…. Christmas Day Service 10am (for 45 minutes)
ANSWERS TO 16th November QUESTIONS
1) Aaron 2) Hur 3) Balaam 4) Benjamin 5) Daniel 6) Eli 7) Esther 8) Gideon 9) Herod
10) Hezekiah 11) Isaac 12) Jacob 13) Jeremiah 14) Jesse 15) Job 16) Johnathan
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is Prayers in the Bible
1 Who prayed that Sodom should not be destroyed.?
2 Who prayed that he would find a bride for his masters son.?
3 Who prayed that a fleece placed on the ground would be wet and the ground dry around it?
4 Who prayed earnestly for a child and the Priest thought she was drunk?
5 Who said in his prayers “ create in me a clean heart “.?
6 Who prayed 3 times a day , looking towards Jerusalem?
7 Who prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane?
8 Who prayed “Lord save me” when he began to sink?
9 Who prayed that his wife might have a son, and John the Baptist was the result.?
10 Who prayed from Hell that someone would warn his brothers?
11 How many lepers prayed to Jesus for healing?
12 Who was chosen to replace Judas after asking God to direct their choice?
13 Who prayed for his persecutors while they were stoning him to death?
14 Who prayed 3 times that the Lord would remove a “thorn in his side”.?
15 In which book of the bible do we read this prayer “ Even so, come, Lord Jesus?
16 Who prayed that it would not rain, as a punishment to the Israelites?
God Bless