Subject – THE UNCENSORED CHRISTMAS STORY!
Text – Matthew 1:21-23 (read vv.18-25)
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,* because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)
*Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means the Lord saves.
INTRODUCTION –
This is the last Sunday of the year 2025, and the first Sunday after celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you were to ask some people to tell you the Bible account of “The Christmas Story,” it would probably consist of Mary’s virgin birth, Joseph contemplating divorcing himself from Mary, Mary and Joseph only finding lodging in a stable, Shepherds and wise man following the star leading them to Bethlehem, etc.
But there is a whole lot more to this story than what appears on the surface. The depths of the events in the birth of Jesus are not only found in Isaiah 7:14; 8:8-10, but can actually be traced as far back as Genesis 3:15 (expound).
But today we are going to focus on the passages containing our text; for in these verses lie gems that give us much needed depth into our subject for today:
“THE UNCENSORED CHRISTMAS STORY!”
POINTS –
- Verse 21 – Joseph was instructed by an Angel to give the name of Mary’s baby “Jesus.” Take note that the name JESUS is the Greek form of Joshua, which means “The LORD Saves.” Even before Jesus was born His destiny and purpose was revealed (expound).
- Verse 22 – The word of GOD will always be found to be true; take note that Jesus’ birth was right in line with what was prophesied (expound).
- Verse 23 – Take note of the similarity of prose of what is written here in Matthew, and what is written in Genesis:
- “THE VIRGIN will conceive and give birth to a son.” 2. “And I will put enmity between you and THE WOMAN.” (Expound).
CONCLUSION –
Beloved, the reasons why this account of the Christmas Story is uncensored, is because Satan wants nothing more than to keep the vision of “Mary’s baby boy” in your mind. But Jesus not only grew up, but He suffered, bled, died, rose again, ascended into back into Heaven and will one day come back again for His people!
There is no “Was” as if Jesus is dead and gone when we talk about Jesus; we serve a risen Savior! He is no longer “Mary’s Baby,” for He is not only Mary’s Savior, but He is our Savior, and He has made it clear that He “God with us,” and He is the Savior for any and all who will receive Him and ask Him to save them!