gregman1069

Joseph's character is unquestionable. He is upstanding in every way. He takes Mary as his wife though she is not carrying his child. He does not have relations with her until after Jesus is born. and he accepts Jesus as his own son, giving him (Jesus) his(Joseph) lineage which in turn makes him a decendent of David

Perhaps this a bit of a generic answer from a "newcomer" bible study but it would seem your last paragraph sums it up: "I see Isaiah's words in Isaiah 7:14 as the latter kind of prophetic word. The initial fulfillment presumably took place in the prophet's time, while the ultimate fulfillment and completion of this word is found in Christ. "

Jesus means "Yahweh (God) Saves" who better to be named Jesus than the son of God who is in fact born to save God's people. I think he gave them both the name so that they knew what God's plan was, without question.

Quite simply, Mary's life would have been long and hard. Shunned by family and community, no where to go, no place to stay, no chance of a future husband. Joseph shows incredible character by considering Mary's welfare (as best he could anyway) in his decision to divorce her leniently. Even though he assumes she was unfaithful, he tries to give her the best possible outcome.

Jesus would have learned the advanced skills of carpentry that Jospeh knew. He would have probably learned lessons about honesty, humility, hard work and I'm willing to bet Joseph might have done a few jobs as charity.

She blessed by God coming to her with his plan and by "planting the seed" in her womb. She gave birth to Jesus. As the female she is physically the mother. Jesus is God. I would assume that people don't want to imply that Mary is equal to God.

The essence of her response is unwavering, unconditional faith and trust in God. Knowing what her life could very well become, she agrees...without hesitation. We should learn to have that same frame of mind. If God asks...we should be ready to say yes. She was "informed" in the sense that the angel did explain everything that God was asking and she had to have known how her community would react. We respond to God's will.

It teaches that Jesus IS God. Conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. Born sinless. It's the cornerstone of the Christian message because of that. Born of a human father would have made Jesus a sinner like the rest of us.

Zechariah doubted the angel's message because he felt that in their advanced age it just wasn't possible. Mary is asking how it will happen since she is not currently intimate with any man.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.' He would be the son of God and is the anticipated Messiah.