The Characters of Christmas- Mary, Joseph

As we look at some different characters of Christmas can anyone tell me what characters we looked at last week? (Zacharias & Elizabeth)

And we saw with them that the birth of Jesus is good news for the elderly Zechariah and Elizabeth, who have spent their lives bearing disgrace. But that the birth of Jesus shows us that no matter what stage of life you are in, it is still good news for you.

Today we are going to look at some other characters of Christmas named Mary and Joseph. For more context lets read about them.

Luke 1:26–38 NKJV

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then 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 bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give 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.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Introduction:

Little information is given in the Bible about Mary and even less about Joseph. However what is said about them is powerful and sets a great example for us of obedience and submissiveness to the will of God.

Imagine for a moment that you are an unmarried woman in a society where such a woman who became pregnant could be charged with adultery and stoned to death. Now imagine that you become pregnant. Who do you tell? Your parents? They can’t support you, or you’ll bring this “shame” upon them. Your fiancé? He cannot stand by you, because you’ll ruin his reputation. Your friends? They’d most likely join in the crowd judging you. Whom do you turn to for support? Where can you go with your bad news? This is the problem Mary faced when she learned she was pregnant. However, the initial moment when the angel tells she will become pregnant is one of acceptance.

Mary and Joseph are important characters in the Christmas story—obviously, because they are the parents (biological or functional) of Jesus! But there are important points of identification for us when it comes to the Christmas story. What do we know about them? Well, they both had a strong faith. And they demonstrated this strong faith by their obedience to the will of God and by their willingness to suffer in the world as a result of their obedience. We can see this in several instances early in the Gospels. When Mary is informed that she will become pregnant by God’s Holy Spirit, her response is one of obedience (Luke 1:38). The same is true for Joseph; though his first inclination was be merciful to Mary but end their engagement (Matthew 1:19), Joseph was instructed to keep her, and he did so (Matthew 1:24).

Let’s take a look at this passage of scripture and see what we can learn from it today!

1. Gabriel sent to Nazareth (v26)

Explanation:

Gabriel appeared to Elizabeth just six months ago and now he is moving to from there to Nazareth of Galilee. What you must realize for this to be significant is that Nazareth was a city that was despised. It bordered a heathen nations and was considered an outcast city.The people of this town were the victims of prejudice by both Jews and Romans. This is why later in the life of Jesus it is said “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (Jn 1:46).

Illustration:

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Love, Unconditional

One Sunday a little boy looked up at his dad and asked, “Daddy, how does God love us?” His father answered, “Son, God loves us with an unconditional love.”

The lad thought for a moment and then asked, “Daddy, what kind of love is unconditional love?” After a few minutes of silence his father answered, “Do you remember the two boys who used to live next door to us and the cute little puppy they got last Christmas?” “Yes.” “Do you remember how they used to tease it, throw sticks and even rocks at it?” “Yes.” “Do you also remember how the puppy would always greet them with a wagging tail and would try to lick their faces?” “Yes.” “Well, that puppy had an unconditional love for those two boys. They certainly didn’t deserve his love for them because they were mean to him. But, he loved them anyway.”

The father then made his point: “God’s love for us is also unconditional. Men threw rocks at his Son, Jesus, and hit him with sticks. They even killed him. But, Jesus loved them anyway.”

Application:

God is no respecter of persons or places. He is willing to send a message to Nazareth just as he would too Jerusalem. He would send a message to a poor little girl just as he would send a message to a priest.

Friends, God Does not look on your outward appearance like man does. he looks at the heart! The bible says.

John 4:24 NKJV

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Christian, we must worship God with all your heart in every day of your life!

Transition:

Look with me know at verse 27 and we see...

2. Mary a pure virgin (v27)

Explanation:

Two time in this verse it calls Mary a virgin. She was a pure young lady who keep herself for her husband till their wedding day. She even confirmed this herself in v. 34. Many want to try and destroy the virgin birth and say that the Hebrew word (alma) means a young woman who could have a questionable character. however this is a weak argument because because when a Hebrew spoke of a young woman (alma) he was referring to a virgin. This word in particular was used six times in the scripture and it was always referring to a young woman with pure character.

- Rebekah (Gen. 24:43

- Miriam (Ex. 2:8)

- Young women of pure character were those who were worthy to participate in the worship of God (Ps. 68:25).

- The young women who were worthy of Solomon’s love were not of impure character (Song 1:3).

- There were young women who were compared with queens and concubines (Song 6:8).

- The maiden (young woman) of Proverbs was contrasted with the adulterous woman (Pr. 30:19-20).

Application:

We see clearly from scripture that the virgin birth of Jesus was a miracle and a supernatural event. Th issue with men not believing the virgin birth is a heart problem. Man desperately needs to turn from his unbelief and to trust Christ with all his heart! repent of sin sin and trust in the shed blood of Christ on the cross! There is little time left for any of us!

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Transition:

Notice the next verse with me if you will.

3. Mary was Highly favored by God (v28)

Explanation:

Mary was highly favored by God. There were three simple, yet meaningful, things said to her in this verse.

She was highly favored by God

Think about that for a moment! God does favor us!He saves us, gives gifts to us, and uses us! What a privilege and responsibility we have! We are favored by the creator of the universe! When we are saved we are his children!

Also, the verse tells us that the Lord was with Mary

She wasn’t alone. God walked with her. Mary was not perfect but she did her best to walk with God in such a way that pleased Him! She walk with him that means she had a daily relationship with him. We too can have a relation ship with God if we will read his word daily and talk to him in prayer!

Also, Mary was blessed among women.

Notice it says she was blessed “among” women. Not above women. She is not lifted above women but rather lifts up womanhood. Men, it is easy to say it was a woman who brought sin into the world but remember, it was a woman, not a man, who brought the Savior into the world!

Application:

Because God so choose to bless this woman and man to be the earthly parents of Christ we celebrate Christmas each year! Church, the Bible is full of examples of people who God used in extra ordinary ways! And God wants to use you as well! Even if you don’t think you can make a change, as we will see later in v. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Lk 1:37).

Transition:

We must hurry look at the next few verses now.

4. Mary was still human (vv29-30)

Explanation:

We see here that Mary was afraid. Of course she was. This shows us that she was human just like you and me. It says she was “troubled at his saying” the message he had brought to here that she was 1) Highly favored 2) The Lord was with her 3) and that she was blessed among women, scared her. Maybe because she took her relationship with God far more serious than what we do! Because, church, since Christ has come we to are 1) Highly favored by God 2) Have the Lord’s presence in our lives and 3) are blessed among all other. This is a huge responsibility.

Mary was troubled because she didn’t understand how God could so greatly favor a person like her with such a great responsibility. How was it that such an ordinary, humble, girl like her do anything for God! What an amazing example she is to us!

Application:

We many not have the responsibility to raise the Son of God. But we have been given a take with take the Gospel to the word and what a responsibility that is!

James 4:6 NKJV

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Isaiah 66:2 NKJV

For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.

Psalm 138:6 NKJV

Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.

Transition:

Quickly look at the verses 31-33 with me.

5. Mary was told the good news (vv31-33)

Explanation:

Mary is finally told she is going to be the mother of the son of God. After receiving all this news she is told who her son will be. Lets notice three things about the son of Mary.

His name.

Mary was told what she should name him. Jesus. This is the Hebrew form of Joshua which means “Jehovah is salvation or He is savior.

His great person.

He was to be called the Son of the Highest. Of course, we know the Highest is God. While Joseph was his legal earthly father we was not his blood father. Jesus was the Son of God.

He was also of the line of David and rightful heir to the throne of David. This of course is a fulfillment of prophecy from the old testament confirming Christ as the Messiah. Notice the third thing.

His eternal kingdom.

Jesus taught that his kingdom was not of this world because everything in this world does not last! but everything in the kingdom of God is for eternity!

Application:

After we are born again it is now our job to proclaim the name of Jesus to the lost, share the person of Christ with them, and advance the kingdom of God by preaching the name of Jesus to everyone!

Transition:

Notice number six quickly

6. Mary’s confusion (vv34-35)

Explanation:

We see her human mind limiting the power of God. She asked “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (Lk 1:34). She was a virgin and was confused about how she could have a child without having relations with a man.

Application:

I don’t believe the confusion of Mary was really doubt. However, I am afraid that for many of us it is. Sometimes it is confusion that Satan trows at us but too often than not we doubt God and in doing so we limit him in our minds. When what we need to do is surrender in humility everything over to God like we will see Mary do later on in this passage!

Transition:

Look at number seven.

7. Nothing is impossible with God (vv36-37)

Explanation:

In these awesome verses we see Gabriel showing many that God is not limited by what she thinks he can do. Gabriel shows her this by telling her about Elizabeth. And when Mary goes to visit Elizabeth it is more of a confirmation to her that God can do anything!

Application:

God expects us to believe Him and his power, regardless of circumstances and our feelings of insignificance.

Matthew 19:26 NKJV

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Job 42:2 NKJV

“I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.

Psalm 115:3 NKJV

But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.

Transition:

look lastly with me at verse 38.

8. Mary’s obedience (v38)

Explanation:

In this last verse we will look at tonight I quickly want to make note that Mary simply humbled herself and obeyed. She didn’t understand why God would use someone like her but she simply trusted God knew what he was doing.

Application:

Church, surrendering to God God is absolutely essential both for salvation and service.

Matthew 12:50 NKJV

For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Luke 14:33 NKJV

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

John 2:17 NKJV

Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

Psalm 40:8 NKJV

I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 143:10 NKJV

Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Proverbs 23:26 NKJV

My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.

Conclusion:

All of this reminds us of what Paul would later write: “God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27). When it comes to the characters of Christmas, as we saw last week with the elderly and childless Zechariah and Elizabeth, so we see with Mary and Joseph: God is using the weak, the poor, the non-influencers, to bring about his entry into this world; and by doing so, he is turning the whole system upside down. In what ways are you participating in this part of the Christmas story? Are you on the lookout for how God is moving among the poor and the unseen? Or are you looking to the powerful, the influencers, to change the world?

Lets pray:

Father, thank you for another look at two special characters in the Christmas story. how they were young, poor, humble servants of you that you favored and choose to use for your honor and glory! Father, I am asking that you would use me and use these people for your honor and glory. In the name of Jesus, amen.