THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

Memorial Drive 12/22/19 THE MEANING OFCHRISTMAS Matthew 1:18-25 Christmas isn’t about … Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US." And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.” Matt 1:18-25 … THE SETTING (18-19) So if we want to call this “the first Christmas” we realize immediately as Matthew unfolds this setting for us that this Christmas was no mere festive occasion of song, pretty lights, beautifully wrapped gifts, eggnog, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. There’s nothing cheery or “Ho, Ho, Ho” about it at all. In fact, Christmas lurches off to an unpromising beginning that is overshadowed by incredible confusion and the possibility and pain of marital unfaithfulness and shattered dreams and broken plans for any kind of future. … A DIVINE INTERVENTION (20-21) … AN AUTHOR’S ASIDE (22-23) … JOSEPH’S OBEDIENCE (24-25) … TWO PROFOUND STATEMENTS “… they shall call His name IMMANUEL, which translated means, ‘GOD WITH US.’” It’s not a bad picture of what Christmas is all about. God, in the person of His Son, laid aside the glories of heaven, laid aside so much that was valuable, and entered into “the death zone”, our world. “… although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” Phil. 2:6-7 “… since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same … He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God …” Heb. 2:14, 17 “… you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." “ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God!” Rom. 3:23 “The wages of sin is death!” Rom. 6:23 “… through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned …” Rom. 5:12 “He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” Heb 2:14-18 “… although He (Christ) existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Phil. 2:5-9 Conclusion – “… as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13 Dear God, I know that you are a holy God and I know that I am a sinner. I know that I have gone my own way and done life my way! I believe your Word when you said that sin always brings death. I believe that you came in the flesh in the person of your Son, Jesus, to go to the cross to die for my sin. I believe He paid the penalty in my place and I accept Him as my Savior and my Lord. Thank you for forgiving me through Jesus’ own death.