I’m a big fan of all things fantasy, especially Narnia and The Lord of the Rings (LotR). One of the things that pulls me in is the world building and the origin stories. As we read the stories (or watch them unfold on the big screen), the author takes us with them as they build a world for us to enjoy.

The Bible is the greatest story out there. The Old Testament is filled with real stories that inspired themes in C.S. Lewis and Tolkien’s work (like the one with the talking donkey found in Numbers 22:21-41 or the eagles in Isaiah 40:31).

The climax of this great story doesn’t happen in the Old Testament. It happens 400 years after Malachi is written. If this was LotR, the Old Testament would be The Silmarillion and the New Testament would be the trilogy that introduced most of us to Tolkien. If it was Narnia, the Old Testament (O.T.) would be The Magician’s Nephew, and the New Testament (N.T.) would be The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe AND The Last Battle.

The same can be said for the Gospels. They’re great on their own, but you don’t get the true miracle of it all without knowing the O.T.

Matthew takes the life of Jesus and parallels it to the O.T. In verse 18, the word Matthew used for birth translates to Genesis. This might be a shocker, but Genesis means “the beginnings” or “the origins.” Not only are we getting the origins of Jesus, but it is pointing us back to the very beginning.

In Genesis, we have the creation story where God breathed life into man. In a strikingly similar way, the Holy Spirit breathed life into Mary’s womb. It wasn’t a man and a woman through whom Jesus came. It was God breathing life into His son who still held all of His holiness and also was 100% human. That, to me, is the greatest miracle of all.

After the creation story, we get a glimpse of the life Adam and Eve had before it all came tumbling down. They lived in a perfect garden. They were without sin, and because of this, they were able to be with God. They had walks with God! Can you imagine? Waking up in the morning, making a cup of coffee, and then drinking it while you go meet God, our magnificent Creator, for a quick morning stroll. How wonderful that must’ve been! But, of course, that didn’t last. That is when all of humankind was cursed to be separated from God.

But then in Matthew 1:23, the prophecy from Isaiah is fulfilled when the angel of the Lord commands Joseph to name the boy Immanuel. And can I let you in on a little something? Immanuel means “God with us.” Jesus came to break the curse, to be the new Adam. And now, because of this miracle, we CAN take those walks with God through our prayer and meditation with Him.

God is right here with us. All we have to do is make time for him. Will you?

Reflection:

• At the start of the new year, how can you realistically set yourself up for success when it comes to carving out time for God?
• As you begin this new year this week, start your mornings listening to “The Lord’s Prayer” by Shane & Shane.

Family Application: Matthew 1

Author: Cooper Herrington

Happy New Year!! We are going through the New Testament In our reading plan. That means that today we start with the first book of the New Testament and the very first chapter. Our reading starts in Matthew chapter 1.

Have you ever heard the story of Jesus being born? Well, what we read today is the build-up to the manger. One day Joseph was sleeping and had a dream. In the dream, an Angel appeared and told Joseph he was going to have a son named Jesus that will save all people from their sins. Then Joseph woke up and did what the angel told him to do. The story might have happened to Joseph, but it was all about Jesus.

We are going to see this happen a lot. The story might mention someone else, but everything points to Jesus in some way. Every day when you read the Bible make sure to think about how what you read points to Jesus.

• Prayer: God, thank You for sending Jesus to save us from our sins. I love You, God. Help me tell people about how much You love them. Amen.