Christmas: The Announcement That Changed Everything

CHRISTMAS: THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING MATTHEW 1:18–25

• Before Mary ever heard a word…

• Before Joseph ever had a dream…

• Before shepherds ever looked up and saw angels shining in the sky…

• Heaven had already made an announcement.

Isaiah 7:14 declares:

“BEHOLD, A VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE, AND BEAR A SON, AND SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL.”

God announced the miracle seven hundred years before the manger ever held the Messiah.

Christmas didn’t start in Bethlehem… Christmas started IN THE MIND OF GOD.

It didn’t begin with a baby in a stable…

It began with a PROMISE IN ETERNITY.

• God announced Hope before the hurt showed up

• God spoke promise before the world went silent…

Because if you know the story —there were four hundred years between Malachi and Matthew —no prophets, no visions, no fresh word…

There was:

• Silence in the sanctuary.

• Silence in the streets.

• Silence in their spirits.

And just when silence started to sound like the new normal…

GOD INTERRUPTED.

• Before fear could rise

• Before doubt could speak

• Before the enemy could whisper

GOD ANNOUNCED LIGHT BEFORE THE DARKNESS GOT DEEP

And when God announces something in Heaven, it ALWAYS shows up on earth.

But it’s not always where you expect it.

• His announcement didn't land in a palace.

• It didn't land in the halls of power.

• It didn't land in the places people thought greatness should be born.

• IT LANDED IN NAZARETH

• Mary wasn’t royalty.

• Joseph wasn’t wealthy.

• Nazareth wasn’t impressive.

They were ordinary people in an ordinary town, living ordinary days…

Until Heaven interrupted their everyday lives with an EXTRAORDINARY WORD.

Because when God makes an announcement —EVERYTHING HAS TO CHANGE.

The announcement changes

• The direction of your life

• The expectation of your future

• The definition of your worth

• The authority of your identity

The announcement says: “IMMANUEL — GOD WITH US!”

• Not God somewhere else…

• Not God someday later…

• But GOD WITH US — RIGHT NOW.

CHRISTMAS-THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING!

So what happens when Heaven announces itself on earth?

Let’s look at the first thing God’s announcement reveals…

POINT 1 — GOD SPEAKS CLARITY INTO LIFE’S CONFUSION

Matthew 1:18–19

Joseph has been hit by something his heart did not see coming.

• He thought this season would be filled with joy, but now it’s filled with confusion.

• He thought he was building a home,

but now he’s wondering if he should walk away from one.

• He thought the next step was celebration, but now the next step is confrontation.

• He loves Mary…but the situation doesn’t make sense.

• He believes in God…but this doesn’t look like God.

Have you ever been there?

• Where faith and feelings got into a fight, and you didn’t know which side would win?

• Where you’re trying to hold onto

what God spoke in the light, while walking through something dark?

The Christmas announcement for Joseph was about changing his life.

Matthew says Joseph was “CONSIDERING THESE THINGS.”

That means there were:

• Sleepless nights and silent prayers

• Heavy Questions and private tears

Sometimes the loudest battles are the ones nobody else sees. The ones where:

• You’re smiling in public…but you’re drowning in private.

• You’re trying to stay strong…but you feel like you’re breaking.

Joseph teaches us something important, that God can handle the thoughts you’re afraid to say out loud.

Joseph doesn’t rush, He doesn’t react.

He reflects.

Even in pain — he chooses character.

He doesn’t want to embarrass Mary…even though he feels embarrassed.

That’s a righteous man.

That’s a lesson for a lot of us, man or woman, rich or poor.

BEFORE YOU QUIT… WAIT FOR GOD TO SPEAK X2

Joseph had thought about it long and hard, and he thinks his only options are:

• Hurt Mary publicly

• Hurt silently in private

And just when he’s about to make a decision without God…Heaven steps in.

Let this sink in:

Your life doesn’t have to be perfect for God to step in

CONFUSION IS NOT A SIGN THAT GOD IS ABSENT.

CONFUSION IS OFTEN A SIGN THAT GOD IS ABOUT TO BE REVEALED.

SOMEBODY NEEDS TO HEAR THIS SO I’LL SAY IT AGAIN.

Think about it…

• When you’re trying to figure out

how the bills will get paid…God says, “IMMANUEL — I’M WITH YOU in the uncertainty.”

• When your plans fall apart and you don’t know what comes next…God says, “IMMANUEL — I’M WITH YOU in the transition.”

• When you’re smiling on the outside

but overwhelmed on the inside…God says, “IMMANUEL — I’M WITH YOU in the private places.”

• When the doctor shakes their head

and you don’t have the answers…