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…
God says, “IMMANUEL — I’M WITH YOU in the diagnosis.”
• When the family looks stable on Sunday
but storms rage in the house on Monday…God says, “IMMANUEL — I’M WITH YOU in the trouble.”
CONFUSION ISN’T PROOF THAT GOD IS GONE —IT’S PROOF THAT HE’S NEEDED.
• In the mess, when you need Him, IMMANUEL shows up
• In the questions, when you need Him IMMANUEL shows up
• In the midst of “what now?” moments Jesus shows up as IMMANUEL: GOD WITH US
• Right when Joseph is about to walk away from a miracle…
• Right when he is about to misdiagnose the blessing…
• Right when he is convinced this can’t be God…
• God interrupts.
Life can feel like a scattered puzzle.
With pieces everywhere.
Edges bent.
Colors that don’t seem to match.
You pick up a piece and say:
“This can’t possibly belong to my life…”
But the puzzle maker sees the completed picture when you only see pieces.
Joseph was holding a confusing piece…but God was creating a redemptive masterPIECE.
And hear this:
If you keep working on the puzzle —
• piece by piece…
• moment by moment…
• prayer by prayer…
It starts to come together.
• You might try a piece in the wrong place.
• You might get frustrated.
• You might think the wrong pieces keep showing up.
• But if you stay with it…
• What feels scattered will start making sense.
• Because the puzzle maker made sure everything needed was already in the box:
• Because God has already placed everything you need in your life on purpose.
• Nothing missing or extra
• Nothing wasted or accidental
Joseph has cried all he can cry.
Thought all he can think.
Carried all he can carry.
Confusion has filled his mind…but clarity is headed to his heart.
Because even when you don’t see God working —He is already on the move.
• When the noise of life is so loud…
• and the weight of worry so heavy…
• God will wait until your soul has finally become still enough to hear Him speak
God puts Joseph to sleep so that He can deal with him
Because sometimes God has to quiet you before He can grow you.
Sometimes God has to still your hands so He can steady your heart.
Sometimes God has to hush your fears so you can hear His voice.
That's why the Psalmist said: BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.
• Be still – not stuck
• Be still – not defeated, not abandoned
• Be still because God is working in places your eyes can't see and your hands can't reach
• And when God stills you- He is preparing you
• When God quiets you – He is strengthening you
• When God holds you- He is healing you”
Joseph rests his head in the dark…and Heaven rises with a word that will change everything.
CHRISTMAS: THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
POINT 2 — WHEN GOD REVEALS HIS PLAN, FEAR HAS TO MOVE
(Matthew 1:20–21)
Joseph is drained — lying in bed with his eyes closed…but his mind is still wide awake.
And right there is where God steps in.
The angel calls him by name:
“JOSEPH…THOU SON OF DAVID”
Soft… personal… direct.
Because God knows exactly:
• who you are
• where you are
• and what you’re going through.
Before God gives Joseph a plan…He gives Joseph a reminder:
• “You are not forgotten.”
• I see you AND your pain
• “I have not lost sight of you.”
Calling Joseph by name reminds Joseph that fear whispers lies into your heart and tells you:
• “You’re not enough.”
• “You’ve failed too much.”
• “You’re too small for God to care.”
But God speaks truth over Joseph:
• “I know your name.”
• “I know your story.”
• I know your hurt, BUT “ I’m still with you.”
Fear had Joseph surrounded, just like all of us.
Everybody is facing something, aren’t they. Your problem may not be my problem, and my problem may seem small to you, but we all are facing something.
So, take a moment and think about the thing that’s been keeping you up at night.
• Think about the worry you carried into this room.
• Think about the fear that’s been silently chasing you.
• Hold it in your heart for just a second…
• Now hear God speak into that exact place:
“FEAR NOT.”
Not because it’s not scary —but because God is already in it.
• Fear focuses on the problem…
• Faith focuses on God’s presence.
What Joseph thought would ruin him…was actually the redeeming plan of God.
THE NAME WITH POWER
“CALL HIS NAME JESUS…”
“…FOR HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.”
Jesus didn’t come to manage sin.
Jesus came to SAVE from sin.
Salvation has a name.
Healing has a name.
Hope has a name.
AND THAT NAME IS JESUS
Children sleep with a blanket or stuffed animal, not because it changes the temperature in the room…but because it changes how they feel in the room.
The situation may stay dark —but comfort becomes present.
Church — the name of Jesus is our comfort.
Whisper His name…and peace will tuck you in at night.
• The name of Jesus is our comfort —
because when trouble rises,
Jesus! still works.
• When sickness hits – JESUS STILL HEALS!
• When confusion clouds your mind – JESUS STILL SPEAKS PEACE!
At the name of Jesus —chains break, devils tremble, and hope stands back up again!
The answer to fear is not more information…
IT’S GOD’S PRESENCE, AND FOR THAT REASON
God didn’t just send Joseph a message —
God SENT HIMSELF.
POINT 3 — GOD IS NOT DISTANT — HE IS WITH US (Matthew 1:22–23)
Matthew says:
“ALL THIS WAS DONE THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN OF THE LORD BY THE PROPHET…”
• This was not random, or accidental.
• Not unexpected to Heaven.
God wrote this plan long before Joseph felt this pain.
Then Matthew quotes Isaiah:
“THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL —
WHICH BEING INTERPRETED IS GOD WITH US.”
• Not God above us, so He’s unreachable.
• Not God around us. Saying He’s observing.
• But God WITH US meaning present, near, and involved.
• Right in the room.
• Right in the struggle.
• Right in the situation.
• RIGHT HERE.
He stepped into our Human weakness and our Human wounds.
He stepped into our Human worries and realities
He walked where we walk and He felt what we feel.
He knows what it means…to be tired, rejected, and misunderstood.
Jesus knows what it means to cry in the dark —and not want everyone to know.
Jesus knows what it means to trust God while people talk.
Jesus knows what it means to carry something heavy that nobody else understands.
That’s Immanuel God with us.
A little girl’s father had been deployed overseas for nearly a year.
People asked her what she wanted for Christmas.
She said:
“I don’t need toys.
I just want my daddy home.”
During the church Christmas program, she was singing her part…
and then — quietly —
the back doors of the sanctuary opened.
There was her daddy with his uniform on… eyes fixed on his daughter.
She turned her head…saw him…screamed with joy…dropped her songbook…and ran — as fast as she could — into his arms.
The whole church stood to their feet…
because one unexpected arrival changed everything.
Her father didn’t send a gift…
He became the gift.
Church — that’s Christmas.
God didn’t send a message —
HE CAME HIMSELF.
He didn’t send a blessing —
HE WRAPPED HIMSELF IN FLESH.
He didn’t shout from Heaven —
HE STEPPED INTO THE ROOM.
That’s Emmanuel.
That’s God with us.
THAT’S CHRISTMAS THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
So, if you’ve been feeling:
• Alone — He’s with you
• Overwhelmed — He’s with you
• Afraid — He’s with you
• Weary — He’s with you
When you don’t feel Him —He’s still with you.
When you can’t trace Him —He’s still with you.
When life breaks your heart —He’s still with you.
Because He didn’t come to visit…HE CAME TO STAY.
God’s presence doesn’t eliminate responsibility.
When God shows up — we still have to show up too.
Because God doesn’t just want to be WITH you…He wants to LEAD you.
And this is where Joseph shines…
POINT 4 — OBEDIENCE OPENS THE DOOR TO DESTINY (Matthew 1:24–25)
Joseph wakes up from that dream with more than just information —he wakes up with revelation.
• The situation has not changed.
• The rumors have not changed.
• The discomfort has not gone away.
On the outside…nothing looked different.
• Caesar was still on the throne and Rome was still in control.
• Taxes were still due, and the census was still required
• Nothing had Changed it seemed
• Mary was still a virgin girl with a story nobody believed.
• Joseph was still wrestling with questions he couldn’t answer.
Everything looked the same…but everything was about to shift.
Because when God steps in —the first thing He changes is not your situation…IT’S YOU.
THE THINGS AROUND HIM DIDN’T CHANGE BUT JOSEPH CHANGED.
• While Joseph was waiting, God was working.
• While Joseph was worrying, God was aligning.
• While Joseph saw no progress, Heaven saw full purpose.
Sometimes God changes you before He changes what’s around you…
because a changed you
is how God changes your world.
Notice Joseph doesn’t delay.
• He doesn’t demand more details.
• He doesn’t negotiate God’s command.
“JOSEPH DID AS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD HAD BIDDEN HIM…”
He obeyed without understanding because he trusted the One who understands all things.
Sometimes obedience will cost you —but it will never cheat you.
Have you ever missed a turn while following your GPS?
It doesn’t shout:
“Stop the whole trip! You’re a failure!”
No — it simply says:
“Route Recalculating…”
It adjusts the path —but keeps the same destination.
You may have taken some wrong turns in life.
You may have drifted, doubted, or delayed.
But grace says:
“Route Recalculating — follow Me.”
God never cancels your purpose…
He just reroutes your path.
There was a young woman who felt God leading her to go back to school.
She said,
“Lord, I don’t have the money.”
“I don’t have the time.”
“I don’t have the confidence.”
But she obeyed anyway.
She applied to one program —and was accepted.
A stranger helped with tuition, and now she could afford the classes.
Her job offered flexible hours and now she had the time to take more classes.
Two years later —she crossed the graduation stage with tears streaming down her face.
Because she followed what thus said the Lord she saw what obedience produces. She saw
• Provision follows obedience.
• Breakthrough follows obedience.
• Destiny unfolds after obedience.
THAT’S CHRISTMAS: THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING!
Joseph’s obedience protected the promise.
Your obedience will RELEASE the promise.
Joseph carried Jesus into his house, before he saw Jesus change the world.
Sometimes you have to carry the promise BEFORE you understand the purpose.
You are one decision of obedience away
from a completely different future.
Joseph obeys —and what seemed like the biggest problem in his life becomes the greatest purpose in history.
When we step into what God said…
GOD STEPS INTO OUR STORY.
CONCLUSION
So, I came to tell somebody today —
• Don’t let the silence fool you.
• Don’t let the struggle scare you.
• Don’t let the waiting worry you.
GOD ALREADY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT! AND IT CHANGED EVERYTHING
• Before the problem — He had a plan!
• Before the pain — He prepared the promise!
• Before the darkness — He declared the Light!
The devil thought the delay meant defeat…
But God said No!
THE ANNOUNCEMENT STILL STANDS!
A VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE!
IMMANUEL SHALL BE BORN!
GOD SHALL BE WITH US!
And when He came —
He did exactly what He said!
• He came down through forty-two generations JUST LIKE HE SAID!
• He showed up in Bethlehem —JUST LIKE HE SAID!
• He healed the sick, raised the dead, and opened blinded eyes —JUST LIKE HE SAID!
• He went to Calvary to die in our place -JUST LIKE HE SAID!
• They put Him in a borrowed tomb…on Friday
• But early Sunday morning —He got up with all power — JUST LIKE HE SAID!
• And now He’s living inside of us —JUST LIKE HE SAID!
So, I don’t have to fear the future.
I don’t have to faint in the fight.
I don’t have to fold in the fire.
Because when God stepped into the narrative, everything changed.
CHRISTMAS THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING!
So, I shout this with joy today —
He came to save!
He came to heal!
He came to deliver!
He came to stay!
Lift your hands and shout it —
HE CAME TO STAY!
INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP
My brother, my sister…
If you feel like Joseph today —
confused… hurting… overwhelmed by choices…
The God who showed up for Joseph
has shown up for you.
Jesus didn’t come for perfect people —
• He came for real people
• with real struggles
• and real fears
• and real sins.
He says:
“COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST…”
Come with your broken pieces —and I will make you whole.
Come with your questions —and I will give you peace.
Come with your sin —and I will give you salvation.
If you are ready for a new beginning —
take one step of obedience.
Like Joseph —do what He says
and watch destiny unfold.
The doors of the church are open.
Jesus is ready to save…
right now.
