The Characters of Christmas - week 5

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

As we sit in this room on Christmas Eve, I want to remind us tonight that God is trustworthy. Isaiah 9:6 is part of a larger promise for all of mankind that was written 2700 years ago. This baby boy is more powerful than all of government combined. This baby boy provides comfort and wisdom for all those who will receive it. This baby boy is the dispenser of love, hope, peace and joy into all the world. This baby boy carries the entire world in the palm of his hand. This baby boy always keep his word.

Fast forward 700 years…

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.

A couple teenagers were looking forward to begin a life together when the unimaginable happened. The virgin Mary was unexpectedly pregnant. We can hear in the verses the anxiousness and uncertainty from Joseph.

I want to remind us tonight that God comforts his children. The verses tell us that Joseph wanted to do the right thing without embarrassing Mary or bringing shame to her life. An angel showed up and encouraged Joseph. Keep on the path. Take Mary to be your wife because her pregnancy is directly from the Lord. Even though you might not understand what is happening right now, God is working in the background and you can trust him. When Joseph needed comfort and wisdom from the Lord, he received those things because God is trustworthy.

I want to remind us tonight that God is with us. Verse 23 is a quote of something Isaiah wrote, “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Immanuel is a special designation given to Jesus that God is with us.

Luke 2:12–14 KJV 1900

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.

When there is a sign that God is working in the background, we are reminded that God is with us. When we reminded that God is with us, we are also reminded that God is trustworthy and worthy of our praise. The birth of Jesus ought to prompt us to glorify God and experience peace in our lives.