Christmas Waited For: Matt. 2:1-15

I. The Prophecy of Christmas vs. 1-2a

A. The Magi had studied the prophecy of Baalam from Num. 24:17

Numbers 24:17 NASB95

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.

B. These Magi, be they astrologers, theologians, kings, or rich mystics had followed prophecy in order to greet the Messiah.

C. People today either pay too little or too much attention to prophecy. We should focus our attention to the person of prophecy…Jesus.

II. The Peril of Christmas vs. 2b-8

A. Herod was a cold blooded killer. “[T]here was already blood on his hands- his own wife, his mother-in-law, his brother-in-law, three of his sons , and forty-six priest, along with countless others”- David Jeremiah.

B. Micah 5:2, tells us that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Thus this puts the children of Bethlehem in peril.

C. Herod’s plan only heaped judgment on him in the end. What ungodly motives, plans, or attitudes do you need to stop and repent of.

III. The Presents of Christmas vs. 9-15

A. Gold represented wealth/royalty. “Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown him again, King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.”- John Henry Hopkins Jr.

B. Frankincense represented purity/holiness. This is what you would have smelled in the temple. “Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh; prayer and praising, voices raising, worshiping God on high.”- John Henry Hopkins Jr.

C. Myrrh represented death/burial. This is what their graves smelled like. “Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb.”- John Henry Hopkins Jr.

D. They would all leave a different way. All different for the better because of Jesus.