Unwrapping Love

“and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!”

What does it mean to “keep Christmas?” These are the words near the end of the story, “A Christmas Carol”. The words are used of Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character, who, after having been confronted with the ugliness of his life, chooses to turn from his old ways and become a new man. He didn’t do it on his own. This story, by Charles Dickens, is a powerful look at our tendency towards our sin nature.

He had spent his life in pursuit of personal riches and gain. He had been a shrewd businessman, with no compassion on those who he made his money from. Like many of us, his pursuit of the worldly desires within him drove him to be ambitious to have more. I pray that none of us have yet reached his level of callousness. Scrooge was so far gone that no human could get through to him. It took a supernatural vision for him to be waken from his self-induced coma of cruel disregard for humanity.

We may not consider ourselves as far gone as Scrooge, yet every one of us is also in need of something beyond human power to achieve. We, like Scrooge, are set in our ways, convinced of our own right, wallowing in our own misery. Unless God has awakened us. Unless He has revealed Himself to us and we have responded in turning toward him. Unless like Scrooge, we have seen with enlightened eyes that have looked upon the disgust of our lives, and made a firm decision to turn in the right direction in order to be saved from eternal chains.

The story of Scrooge is an allegory that we each should relate to. We never think ourselves as bad as the next guy, but deep inside, we know that our heart is black and tends to go against God. We know that there is a God who demands that we turn to Him, lest we end up paying the fair price for our deeds. We know it, we sense it, we shiver at the thought of it: We are doomed by our own decisions. Except. Unless. Apart from. Out side of. The Savior.

Today we are going to look over the next 4 weeks preceding Christmas at Jesus Christ, our Savior, Healer, Sanctifier, and Coming King and how we can see all of these roles of Jesus in the Christmas story.

We need a Savior. The world needs a Savior. And only God could provide what we need. Only Jesus will save. Today, we look at Matthew 1:18-25. In this passage, we will see how Jesus was going to be the Savior, how He was the fulfillment of prophecy, and we are going to focus on an extraordinary man who often takes a back seat in the story, but who I think is a wonderful role model for men today, and that is Joseph, husband of Mary.

The Savior comes to whoever will have him The Savior comes to those willing to change their plans The Savior comes for you

Matthew 1:18–25 ESV

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

In verse 1, we see that Matthew in his gospel gives a little less detail as to the miracle of Mary’s pregnancy compared with Luke. So let’s look at what Luke wrote about Mary:

Luke 1:26–38 ESV

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary was willing. A young girl, betrothed. Betrothal was something like an engagement. However, unlike engagements here, which are sometimes broken off, the betrothal of Mary’s day was a lifelong commitment. The betrothal was a covenant, and a publicly known arrangement where a man and woman, or as we would say today, a girl, was committed to marry. The girls would be betrothed around the age of 12 or 13 and she would continue to live with her parents.The betrothal would last a year and then the groom, or husband, would come to get her.

He would then bring her back to his own home and the marriage would then be consummated. They were considered married not by a ceremony, though there was one. They were considered married when she came to live with him and the marriage was consummated. So when the angel of the Lord tells Mary this, she knows the possible consequences. You see, the one year of betrothal was a time to prove the young lady’s chastity and devotion to her husband. If she were found pregnant, and it wasn't by him, it would be clear to all that she was not chaste. She had violated her commitment, or at least that’s how it would seem to everyone. If Joseph were to press matters, the consequences for her would be very severe. This is because even though the betrothal was before the marriage, either party having relations with someone else during that period would be considered to have committed adultery. Today, this is different for us. If an engaged person has relations with someone other than their fiancee, most people would see this as not good, a betrayal, but we would not call it adultery in our culture.

Unfortunately, we would just consider that to be not all that unusual. We have taken a good God given thing, and cheapened it to the point where it doesn't mean much to many people. So when you consider that in Jewish society in that day, that even violating the engagement was adultery, and that ultimately, if someone were to push the matter to the courts, it could result in the death of the one who fornicated.

Whether by stoning or ruined lives through disease or relational dysfunction, fornication still brings death today. It may not always in a legal sense, but nonetheless, promiscuous behavior ultimately comes at a cost to those who engage in it.

Mary, knowing full well the possible consequences of her pregnancy, submits to the will of God, trusting in Him and saying “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” The Savior comes to whoever will have him. Mary, in this vulnerable position she finds herself in, a young woman with no way to support herself. The way her pregnancy would be perceived by the community she grew up in. The possibility of Joseph pushing the issue to the courts, to her shame and possibly to her death.

Yet there is trust in God. Mary trusts the angel, she trusts God, and she has a sense that even though she is not worthy of the great honor she is given, the grace of God has showed her favor. Later, we see that she said that from now on all generations will call her blessed. Certainly this is the case. Mary was blessed. She is blessed. She was not perfect. Like you and me, she was born with a sin nature. She also needed a way of Salvation, and when she agreed to be a willing vessel for the Lord, she put all her trust in Him.

Christ comes still today to save anyone who is willing to trust in God for salvation. We don’t have to carry the Savior to childbirth, but we do have to die to ourselves like Mary did. We also must be willing to cast aside the plans we may have already had for ourselves, and say instead, “Lord willing”. Mary was willing to change her plans, and so was Joseph. We speak of Mary’s faith a lot, and rightly so. Yet Joseph also showed himself to be a man of great faith.

Joseph loved Mary. He had gone through the process of securing a betrothal to her. When this happened, you can imagine, like any young person today who looks forward to their wedding day, the expectations he had, even the urgency of having the marriage consummated. Any young man in that one year waiting period would have times of extreme impatience, times of just wanting the engagement to end and married life to begin.

He probably would check up on her, and though he would have to show restraint, he would know that the day was not too far off when he would have her as his very own. But then she is found to be with child. How is one found to be with child? Well, it shows. There are symptoms, and eventually there are visible signs. Joseph finds this out. He probably is very hurt and confused. How could Mary do this? He may have gone to her for an explanation, but lets face it, this had never happened before and would never happen again. She may not be the first woman in history to say she was still a virgin and pregnant, but he was certainly the first person in history to have heard this and it was true. Yet, it just isn't believable.

Yet Joseph was a just man. Many translations here in 19 say righteous man. He was righteous, meaning he was one who tried to keep the law in all of his words and deeds. Not perfectly righteous, mind you, but wanting to do well in God’s eyes. And yet, God’s rule was that adultery was a severe violation of His ways. Joseph, if he were truly trying to keep the law, should have brought Mary before the courts to reveal her pregnancy and testify that he was not the father.

But here we learn something about righteousness and justice. It isn't found in the letter of the law, its found in the heart. Let me say again: righteousness is not found in the letter of the law, it is found in the heart. Joseph was righteous, but he was not willing to put Mary to shame. He is an honorable man. He doesn't understand, he is frustrated. He probably feels robbed and cheated of the virgin bride he was expectantly looking forward to being his wife.

Still, he loves Mary. He is a righteous man, and in his mind, she has committed adultery, so he cannot marry her. So he resolves to quietly divorce her. He doesn't want a big public spectacle, but he wants to protect as much as he can and still be a righteous man.

But then Joseph has a dream, and an angel tells him that the truth really is that Mary is pregnant by a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. This is helpful on many levels for Joseph. First of all, Mary has not cheated on him. She has been faithful. Second, he can still protect her as he naturally was inclined to do. However, he still has this problem. The tradition was a one year betrothal, and then bring the bride home. But the betrothal was not yet over, and he was to bring her home now.

Can you imagine what this looked like to the community? But Joseph was willing to have his plans changed. He also believed the messenger. What do we know about Joseph? Not a whole lot at this point. He was of the house of David, which meant that his adoption of Jesus would include Him in that line as well, fulfilling the prophecy. We know Joseph was a man who tried to do right, and even faced with what he thought was the end of his relationship with Mary, he still wanted to protect her. Isn't that romantic?

I don't know what you think, but this is a romance story! Joseph loved Mary so much and was willing to protect her however he could. He was also willing to wait to have her as his true wife. Verse 25 says he knew her not until she had given brith to a son.

Oh, it is a romance! The story of Joseph and Mary is a beautiful romance, and even more so, the story of God’s love for us to send us a Savior is a romance as well, a romance of redemption. We look at the story of Ruth and see a picture of this. God’s story is a love story, and when Jesus was born, it was for love! His name was Jesus! The prophet had said that he would be called Immanuel, which means God with us. That was one of many titles. But His name is Jesus, which means Savior. in verse 21, Joseph is commanded to give him this name.

“You shall call His name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Does He save all? Unfortunately not. We are given the ability to choose to have him or not have him, but He comes for you. This Christmas season, will you put your trust in Him? Will you come and adore Him, this Christ, this anointed one, this messiah, this Savior? He will save his people from their sins, but not all are saved, only his people. Who are his people? The ones who respond to His love by turning toward Him.

It isn't too late. In the story, Scrooge wakes up! and he realizes it isn't too late to change! He has been given a new chance to get it right! That is the entire story of Scripture! There is an opportunity to change, and it isn't too late, but someday it will be. He is Savior. He has come to bring your life into alignment with God’s holy purposes.

Jesus Christ has come into the world. He came to testify to the truth, and His truth is found in scripture, and it is written in your heart. Receive Christ today! Turn away from the ugliness of your sin and turn to the beauty of the Savior of the world! He is the Savior. He was foretold by the prophets. He was birthed into this world so that each who believe in Him can be saved.

Acts 4:12 ESV

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 5:30–32 ESV

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Mary and Joseph, that romantic couple, were given the first confirmation that the Savior would come in their lifetime, and they were players in the great story. How did they react? Mary was willing to have the Savior. Are you willing to have the Savior? Joseph was willing to have his plans changed. Are you willing to have your plans changed in order to follow the Savior?

Remember our passage this morning focuses on the decisions of Mary and Joseph before the Savior was born. They received supernatural confirmation of the reality of Jesus the Savior being brought into their lives, and after he was born, another group was given an announcement that puts any announcement today to shame:

Luke 2:8–20 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Unto us is born a Savior! Glory to God in the Highest!

The Savior comes to whoever will have him The Savior comes to those willing to change their plans The Savior comes for you

The Savior comes to whoever will have him. Will you have him? You must decide today whether you would have the Savior. Mary was willing. Are you willing?

The Savior comes to those willing to change their plans. Joseph was willing to change his plans. Are you willing? Following Christ means giving up all of your earthly plans and figuring out what His plans are for you. Are willing to give up anything to have Jesus? Are willing to give up EVERYTHING to follow Jesus. The rich young ruler was not willing. Jesus did not chase him down. Each person will make their choice. I pray that you decide you are willing to give up everything to follow the Savior, because the Savior comes for you.

He comes for you. One author called him the “Hound of Heaven”. He comes for you, and even when you turn away, and don’t want him, he leaves his mark all over. No, he won’t chase you down if you have made your final decision not to follow him, but if you are still on the fence, he gives you many opportunities to come to him.

So why don’t you come? How will you respond to Jesus Christ, the Savior?

Mary responded with a willing heart.

Joseph responded by allowing his plans to be changed.

The shepherds responded by rushing to seek out the Savior, and after they found Him, they glorified and praised God.

Open your heart to be willing to have Him. Allow for your plans to change, because He has better plans for you. And Rush to seek Him, because when you find him, you will glorify and praise God.

Last week, I mentioned the song “Joy to The World” by Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts

“What Christians sing in worship must be guided by what God had revealed about how we are to sing to such a God.”

“The Father of English Hymnody” gives us the perfect combinetion that everyone in the church ought to be striving to reach: passion and feeling grounded on solid theological foundations.

Poetry played a more central role in academic learning in Watts’ day, and the Watts family had excelled in it for generations.

Watts Sr. vented his frustration at the established church in a couplet:

Why do our churchmen with such zeal contend

For what the Scriptures nowhere recommend?

-Isaac Watts, Sr

11 An early instance of young Watts’ poetic inclination came one evening during family worship at the dinner table. While his father read Scripture and guided family prayers, Watts spotted a mouse climbing up the bell pull and began to giggle. Rebuked by his father, who asked him why he was laughing during prayer, Watts replied:

There was mouse for want of stairs

Ran up a rope to say his prayers.

12 His parents, amazed at the boy’s ability to rhyme in his head without writing the lines down on paper, encouraged his rhyming—for a while. As children will do when encouraged, Watts began rhyming all the time. Annoyed by the incessant rhyming, his father forbade him to do it—and he meant it. Isaac soon forgot and fell back into rhyming. Taking him over his knees, Watts Sr. prepared to lay into his son’s backside with the switch. Then young Watts rather unconvincingly cried:

O father, do some mercy take,

And I will no more verses make.

13 His father did some mercy take that day, but the church can be grateful that Watts, contrary to his childish resolve, continued to make verses throughout the remainder of his life. The very gift that so annoyed his parents when he was a child would be sanctified and become the means of enriching the worship of tens of thousands of Christians in his lifetime, and millions in the centuries since his death. Watts’ mother, Sarah, found some handwritten poems one day and asked whether they were Isaac’s. He claimed they were his, but she doubted that a child could write poetry with the degree of depth she observed. An idea occurred to her, and she promptly had her son sit down at the kitchen table and write her a poem. He did. Note the depth of his gospel understanding in these ten lines written on demand when he was seven years old:

I am a vile polluted lump of earth;

So I’ve continued since my birth;

Although Jehovah grace does daily give me,

As sure this monster Satan will deceive me.

Come, therefore, Lord, from Satan’s claws relieve me.

Wash me in Thy blood, O Christ,

And grace divine impart.

Then search and try the corners of my heart,

That I in all things may be fit to do

Service to Thee, and sing Thy praises too. 14

Young Watts needed ten lines because he chose to write a poem that not only would rhyme but would also be an acrostic on his name, “Isaac Watts,” which has ten letters. This was, no doubt, one of those moments that a mother cherishes and hides up in her heart. Imagine Sarah Watts’ wonder at her son’s gifting, but still more, the gratitude to God any Christian mother would have for so obvious a working of grace in her son’s heart.

From The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts by Douglas Bond

“wonders of His love”

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