The Arrival of the King of Christmas

Introduction:

At Christmas we often focus on the “three kings” of Christmas. These were really the magi but the song has ingrained three kings in our minds and we also don’t really know how many of them there were. We know that they brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

They will arrive in a future message, but tonight the real King of Christmas arrives. I know it’s early in the season for Jesus to arrive, but as we follow the narrative and the characters of Christmas, we will need a baby Jesus to be here.

Advent season is all about anticipating the arrival of the King. Turn with me to Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus as we read tonight from God’s Word.

Matthew 1:18–25 ESV

18 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. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 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. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Pray.

1. The King’s Origins (vv. 18-20)

Matthew 1:18–20 ESV

18 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. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 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.

Joseph is an interesting character. We don’t really have a lot of information about Joseph, but we know he was a honorable man.

He had every right to have Mary stoned because of suspected infidelity. Now, he would need proof, but it would become obvious that she was pregnant - probably by the time she came back from visiting her cousin Elizabeth.

Imagine how you would have felt if you were Joseph. You love Mary, but how do you explain what is happening to you? How do you believe her story?

Joseph needed a little help, so we have an angel of the Lord appearing to Joseph and helping him understand the King’s origins.

We aren’t told the name of the angel, but it is highly likely that the angel was Gabriel who had appeared to Mary and Zechariah. We can’t be sure, but the angel tell Joseph what is happening to Mary.

Before the angel had arrived, Joseph had thought to divorce Mary. This was necessary for a betrothal, but the reality is that Joseph could have had Mary stoned. That was the prescription under the Law for one who committed adultery. Joseph’s love for Mary is evident in that he is unwilling to take this course of action, but he is considering divorcing her quietly. That’s when the angel appears.

Jesus is from God

Jesus is conceived of the Holy Spirit

Great! Good to know! That’s really easy to understand right?! How about that for an answer!

Joseph is also a man of faith and sees that this is a real angel explaining this to him, so he believes.

This explanation naturally needs a little more explaining as to the big question everyone would want to know - why?

2. The King’s Mission (v.21)

Matthew 1:21 ESV

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

The answer is very clear - Jesus came on a rescue mission to save His people from their sins.

Do you need saving?

Are you in sin?

Jesus is the only one who can rescue you. Consider this tiny baby that is so vulnerable and He is the one born to save the world.

3. The King’s Presence (vv. 22-25)

Matthew 1:22–25 ESV

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Matthew is very clear that all of these events are fulfilling prophecies that were spoken concerning this Messiah King that was promised in the Old Testament. Matthew was writing to a Jewish audience to show them Jesus was the promised Messiah.

This specific prophecy is one we looked at this morning.

There are several names given to Jesus and they all have meaning.

Jesus

Christ

Messiah

The prophecy in Isaiah gives the name Immanuel to Jesus. This name means God is with us.

It’s interesting that Matthew felt the need to explain the meaning to us since his audience is Jewish and would have known the name’s meaning. It seems like he’s highlighting the meaning to emphasize the importance that Jesus is God with us.

God does not sit far off and watch everything burn down around us. He comes into our world and is with us. He is present.

How have you needed God’s presence in your life lately? Know that God is there.

Most importantly, God came to save us.

Conclusion

The Bible says that when Joseph awoke, he went and did as the angel said. He didn’t wait. He also didn’t risk violating the sanctity of the virgin birth and remained chaste until Jesus was born.

We see the obedience of both of Jesus’ parents, but we need to also look at our own obedience.

Do we know Jesus as Savior? Are we willing to listen to God and obey without delay?

What difficult, hard-to-swallow command has God given you to obey today?

The King of Christmas has come and He longs to live with us in fellowship. We must receive Him and submit to Him in order that we might be saved.