2020 - 12 - 27 Two Gifts When Facing Change By The Rev Peter Moore

This sermon by the Rev. Peter Moore was preached at Greenfield Presbyterian Church, Berkley, MI. The scripture readings are from the book of Matthew chapter 1 versus 18-21 and 24-25 and chapter 2 versus 13-15 and are here for you. Matthew 1:18-21 New Revised Standard Version The Birth of Jesus the Messiah 18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah[a] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Footnotes [a] Matthew 1:18 Or Jesus Christ Matthew 1:24-25 New Revised Standard Version 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;[a] and he named him Jesus. Footnotes [a] Matthew 1:25 Other ancient authorities read her firstborn son Matthew 2:13-15 New Revised Standard Version The Escape to Egypt 13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 Then Joseph[a] got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” Footnotes [a] Matthew 2:14 Gk he