Matthew 1: 18-25 tells us about the world shaking birth of Jesus the Messiah; but what I want to do is put the birth of Jesus into context using a party game; and this year we’re going to play charades, so I need some willing volunteers.
(Note to the reader - you need to print out each of the 5 one liners on a piece of paper. One by one, point by point, get someone to act out the one liner like a game of charades. They won’t be easy to do so you could give a picture or prop to help with one word. The member of the congregation could hold up their prop or picture for one of the words, but make them a bit cryptic. For example, words like so, wages, born, name and bow could be represented by a picture of someone sowing, some monopoly money, a picture of Matt Damon as Bourne, a copy birth certificate, and a bow and arrow. Have fun, but don’t let each charade go on too long. It needs to be punchy, fast moving, and like a party game to celebrate the birthday of Christ. Do the first charade then preach the first point, act out the 2nd charade then preach the 2nd point, until all 5 are completed.)
1. For God so loved the world (John 3:16).
God so loves the world. That’s you, me, and every single person on the planet. We’re all uniquely made. You were lovingly knit together in your mother’s womb; and we need each other. Every family member is important, which is why God desires that all people should be saved.
2. For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)
Yes God so loves the world but men, women and children have rejected God’s love, and even refused to believe in him. The bad, wrong things we think and do and say are traditionally called sin; and the ultimate result, payment or wages of sin is death.
It is a predicament that humanity has brought upon itself by deciding to go its own way not God’s way.
3. For to us a child is born (Isaiah 9:6).
God had a plan to deal with the darkness of sin. Ancient Jewish prophecy foretold the birth of a son, saying that the government will be on his shoulders. He will be called wonderful counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This is the Messiah that the Jews were waiting for; and the Messiah that many Jews are still waiting for.
4. You are to give him the name Jesus (Mt 1:21).
The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus, or Yeshua in Hebrew if we choose to use his real name; Jesus means ‘God is salvation’! His name is important; and as we needed saving God sent us a saviour.
5. They bowed down and worshipped him (Mt 2:11).
The Bible also calls him Immanuel, God with us (Mt 1:23). The wise men bowed down in the presence of Jesus to worship. So, let’s bow our hearts in worship.
