Bible Text: Matthew 1:18-25 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Abiding in Christmas
Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows…behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to…Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring
forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus…
Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us… And he called His name Jesus.
Luke 2:3-7 …Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem…
…So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
WHO we have in our lives is more important than WHAT we have!
Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you arise little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.
Mary and Joseph, an unlikely couple to parent the Messiah of the Universe!
Luke 1:35 …that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Remember that just because we hit bumpy roads does not mean we are on the wrong road!
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 That is why we never give up…so we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
Our culture is working hard to minimize, sanitize, sterilize the REAL Christmas message!
They have created a façade, a Christmas that is only ½  a Christmas!
It is time to focus our attention on what is the COMPLETE, WHOLE message and purpose of Christmas:
…celebrate the fact that Jesus was born for our salvation
…renew, refresh and recommitment our lives to the Lord
…enjoy personal worship, rest and reflection
…serve others, help those who are need
…spend time with family and friends
…review our purpose, direction and motivation for living
…enjoy the traditions that bond and build our community
…listen to the Lord and let His love, hope and faith fill us
…develop memories that reinforce our Biblical values
The angel of the Lord said it for us: Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…
Christmas for Today!
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be SAVED.
God’s Forgiveness
Psalm 32:3-5 Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!  Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! …I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them…And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Psalm 103:10-13 God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice!
Psalm 16:8-9 I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises! My body rests in safety.
Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace!