Christmas 1 2025

The other famous account of Jesus Birth.

The Text,

In verse 18, we being told how Jesus the Messiah was born. The word Messiah or Christ meaning anointed one. S are seeing the entry of God’s set apart agent into human history.

Betrothal Mary and Josep, Mary with Child. The author is already letting us know that she was with child from the HS. What we do not know, is this. Has Joseph heard the Holy Spirit explanation.

We know this he looks to divorce her quietly. He would have had to divorced her legally, but he does not want the full weight of the punishment to hit her, (Stoning).

He is considering these things. He is wrestling with what to do…evidence that he knows the Holy Spirit explanation.

He has a dream. Westerners with dreams vs. easterners. Portal to the divine

The Angel Says do not fear about marrying Mary. The Holy Spirit explanation is true.

Se will bear a son, call him Jesus, not because God vaguely saves…he will specifically save. The word Play: God will save, He will save.

Then we have the prophecy and how this event directly fulfills it. Behold a virgin shall conceive. His name Immanuel (2nd use of a name).

Mutli fulfillment

He wakes up and is immediately obedient. No argument no second thoughts. Just obedience. He marries her.

But they do not “know” one another until Jesus is born.

Thoughts to take home with you.

First off, this whole text displays Jesus as God, his divine nature.

He is the Messiah, So God’s Chosen one. He is convieved by the Holy Spirit. His name is God Saves because he will save, he is also fulfilling the prophecy of God with us.

Matthew shows us Jesus as God, he can be no other thing.

Second of all, Jesus’ two-part nature here is absolutely essential to the Cross having its desired effect.

Jesus has to have two natures. And the Virgin birth is how it is accomplished.

Jesus is fully God. Which means he can forgive sin, he is the offended party, PS51. No other could

Jesus is fully man. Which means he can offer the needed perfect sacrifice.

By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and Circumcision; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation,

Good Lord, deliver us

By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the Coming of the Holy Ghost,

Good Lord, deliver us.

Jesus must faithfully accomplish these things to fulfill the law and become our sacrifice.

The Trinity is a central tenant of Christianity that the whole of the NT points to.

In our reading today we are seeing that the Son enters human history through the power of the Spirit to fulfill the Prophecy of God with us.

Its not an optional doctrine, it anchors so much of the BCP worship, from the Gloria Patri, to the Athenasian creed, to how we finish our prayers.

Today we will know for a fact that God is with us. He inhabits the prayers of his people, which we have given from our opening bell.

He lives in the hearts of his people and so we gather together little temples to become one large temple.

He inhabits our creatures of bread and wine so that they will behave like the Body and the Blood.

Ancient Jews used to give thier sacrifice, and the priests would eat a portion of it with them as a fellowship meal to show that God was pleased.

Today the animal for sacrifice is Jesus he is sacrificed on the Cross, and there is not intermediate priest to feast with. Jesus is the great high priest. Both priest and victim in the Eucharistic feast.

What ever sins are weighing you down. If you are feeling guilt and same about what you have done. Know that Jesus has sacrificed himself to restore you. To bring you beach to God, and you can be sure of his favor by eating of his feast.