Christmas 2025

Journey to the Savior: The Birth of Hope

1. Joseph's Journey of Obedience

Matthew 1:18 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.

Matthew 1:19 ESV

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

Matthew 1:20 ESV

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.

Matthew 1:21 ESV

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

Matthew 1:22 ESV

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

Matthew 1:23 ESV

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:24 ESV

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,

Matthew 1:25 ESV

but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

2. Magi's Mission of Recognition

Matthew 2:1 ESV

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,

Matthew 2:2 ESV

saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:3 ESV

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;

Matthew 2:4 ESV

and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

Matthew 2:5 ESV

They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

Matthew 2:6 ESV

“ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

3. Magi's Move to Worship

Matthew 2:7 ESV

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.

Matthew 2:8 ESV

And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”

Matthew 2:9 ESV

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.

Matthew 2:10 ESV

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Matthew 2:11 ESV

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:12 ESV

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.