Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to this blessed gathering where we come together in unity and love, bound by the unbreakable thread of faith. We gather, not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, sharing in the joy and peace that His love brings. We are here to seek comfort, wisdom, and guidance from the Word of God, to find the strength and courage we need to face the trials of life, and to celebrate the gift of salvation that we have been so graciously granted.

Let us turn our hearts and minds to the beautiful words of the revered preacher, Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "We are never, never so much in danger of being proud as when we think we are humble." Humility, dear friends, is the cornerstone of our faith. It is the foundation upon which our relationship with God is built, and it is the key to understanding the true meaning and significance of His Word.

Today, we gather to reflect on the Scripture passage from Matthew 1:18-25: "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. 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. 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. 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.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel' (which means 'God with us'). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."

Spectacle of Salvation

The birth of Jesus Christ is a remarkable event that goes beyond the natural order of things. It's a divine intervention, a miraculous occurrence that marks the beginning of our salvation. The Holy Spirit conceives Jesus in Mary, a virgin pledged to be married to Joseph. This is not a typical birth story. It's a divine spectacle, a display of God's power and love for humanity.

The angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, assuring him of the divine nature of Mary's pregnancy. The angel tells Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. This divine assurance is a crucial part of the spectacle. It shows God's direct involvement in our salvation, and His active role in ensuring the fulfillment of His promise.

The angel also reveals to Joseph the purpose of Jesus's birth. The child is to be named Jesus because He will save His people from their sins. This is the crux of the spectacle of salvation. The birth of Jesus is a purposeful act of love. God sends His Son into the world to save us from our sins, to offer us a way back to Him. This is the heart of the Christmas story, the reason we celebrate this season with joy and gratitude.

The angel's message to Joseph also points to the fulfillment of prophecy. The birth of Jesus fulfills what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel' (which means 'God with us'). This fulfillment of prophecy is another aspect of the spectacle of salvation. It shows God's faithfulness to His promises, His commitment to His plan of salvation. It's a reminder that God's Word is true and reliable, that what He says, He will do.

The response of Joseph to the angel's message is also a significant part of the spectacle. Despite the unusual circumstances, Joseph obeys the angel's command. He takes Mary home as his wife and names the child Jesus. This obedience is a testament to Joseph's faith and trust in God. It's a demonstration of his willingness to be a part of God's plan of salvation, to play his role in the spectacle.

Significance of Emmanuel

As we turn our attention to the significance of Emmanuel, we find ourselves in the heart of the Christmas story ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO