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Jesus’ habit of going above and beyond society’s rules is foreshadowed all the way back to his conception. A betrothed woman being found pregnant before she went to live with her husband would be an unrecoverable (and even fatal) scandal. Thanks to the intervention of an angel, God’s habit of acting other than expected is established. What does all this portend? Let’s find out together!

  • We are as scandal-averse today as the ancients were. Where in your life (or in the lives of people you know) has scandal occurred? How was it handled? What were the eventual outcomes?

  • Matthew goes to some lengths to let us know that God acts beyond the bounds of human propriety. To what ends does he do this? What clues are present in this part of Jesus’ story that point us to Jesus’ life as an adult? As a Savior?

  • Toward the end of our reading, Matthew applies the prophetic name “Emmanuel” to Jesus. In what ways have you experienced “God with you” throughout your life?

Next Step: Matthew tells this story from Joseph’s perspective, and it is one of great change. Joseph goes from resolving to end his relationship with Mary to acceptance of the angel’s message, belief in his son’s saving destiny and finally action in obedience as he takes Mary as his wife. In what ways can his spiritual development act as a model for ours?

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