INTRODUCTION
A. In looking at the Christmas season, we talked about the special meanings behind the Advent – a reminder that He’s Coming Back to Town but not like He arrived the first time. Not on any sleigh nor pulled by any reindeer but with a shout and in the clouds!
We looked at the season of giving, and the giving of gifts to those we love and appreciate. But through the prophet Micah, we were reminded that because of the gift of grace He’s given to us, we are to be living a life that’s worthy of the calling in which we have received.
Our Gifts to Jesus should be a life that Treats Each Other with Honesty; Living a Life that Loves Mercy, and Walking Humbly With The Father through The Son.
B. To continue in our series of Preparing for Christmas 2006, I walked out of my office to get away from the distractions on my desk and come before God. I was searching and praying over what His passage and topic for today was to be.
I walked to the front of the sanctuary looking at all the decorations and noticed the Nativity Scene on the table in the Foyer. One of the characters had fallen and as I reached to pick it up, I noticed it was Mary.
And as I put her character back, I found myself wondering what Christmas might have been like through the eyes of the PARENTS OF JESUS.
C. More important, What Message Does It Send to Us As Parents?
What can we, as parents, learn from the birth of the Lord Jesus through the eyes of Mary and Joseph? Parents, we must be careful in considering what focus we allow our children to learn about this season called Christmas.
What does your life show Christmas to be?
Stressed out buying gifts
Competing with the Jones and Sams down the street or in the family
Right brand. – ALL ABOUT MONEY
Love and Peace; Joy and Serving
Worship and fellowship through His Church
True Celebration of The Season – the Real Season
What do your children learn from you at Christmas?
I. CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE EYES OF MARY (Luke 1:26-38)
VS. 26-27
Mary
Not a prophet, priest, or someone in God’s Temple performing certain acts of service such as Zechariah.
Rather a humble, Godly Jewish girl at home planning her wedding because she was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. Probably around 13 years old.
Custom
1. In that day, two families would agree to a marriage as well as a cost of the bride to be paid by the grooms parents to the bride’s father.
2. In a Public Announcement, the two families would announce the engagement (betrothal) of the two. This period last for 1 year.
3. This betrothal period is not like our engagement period today. Here the man and woman is actually considered to be married but they do not live together so as to prevent a physical relationship or union.
4. This shows that there has been no relationship between the two.
5. The actual wedding doesn’t take place until after the 1 year period but in all other matters are considered to be husband and wife.
6. Everything is going perfect. Mary is planning her wedding one day and all of a sudden…
Vs. 28-29 – Gabriel’s Greeting & Mary’s Response
“troubled” – “perplexed – agitated” – “to disturb wholly” to say the least.
a. Can you imagine what she must be feeling?
b. How do you respond to God’s tug?
- Excitement, confusion, fear?
Vs. 30-33 – Gabrel’s Explanation
1. “you have found favor with God” (30)
Many misuse this blessing so let us go through it slowly:
God chose Mary – a normal humble girl. He blessed her and she humbly accepted the call to be the Mother of Jesus but nothing more. Wow, what a call but a call none the less. Some more on her in just a moment.
2. give Him the Name “Jesus” (31)
Greek form of the Hebrew name “Joshua” – both meaning “Yahweh saves”
Just as Joshua had led Israel into the Promised Land so Jesus would lead into Eternal Life.
Vs. 34 – Mary’s Question (Not Request for Proof)
1. “How…?” Can you imagine what must be running through her mind at this time?
2. This was not a fleece – a sign of proof as Zechariah requested in 1.18
a. we live by faith not by proof
b. Gideon’s fleece was before the gift of God’s Spirit to empower us and enable us to live by faith and God’s presence within us. (Skim Judges 6)
Vs. 35 – Gabriel’s Answer (God’s Plan)
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you” “Power of Most High will overshadow you”
1. Some say because Jesus did not have a human father and was sinless, Mary was sinless. So come to Jesus, through Holy Mother of Grace – Mary.
2. Jesus was born sinless not because of his miraculous birth to a virgin girl but because of his HOLY POSITION WITH GOD AS GOD. For through the birth of Jesus, God entered the world in human form.
John 1:1 “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
3. THAT’S WHY HE WAS SINLESS – HE WAS AND IS GOD!
ILL: TV program the other night. The minister was recognizing the holy Jesus but was pointing the audience to the holy Mother Mary.
May I say that Mary (praise God for her obedience and willingness to carry the Son of the Almighty God) but that Mary was a vessel willing to be used by God and when we are a vessel willing to be used by God, God can do miraculous things but it is still God who does the work, receives the honor, praise and glory!
Vs. 36 - 37
“Elizabeth your relative” (36)
In verse 39 Mary, after being told this “got ready and hurried” to Elizabeth’s and stayed with her (according to Verse 56) “for about 3 months” during this difficult time and “then returned home.”
“nothing is impossible with God.” (37)
- Elizabeth becomes pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Mary becomes pregnant.
- Jesus comes to the earth laying aside his equality with God – becoming just as you and I.
- He lives to understand our temptations, our struggles and our wants, then to die a shameful death on the cross.
- Defeating death, He returns home to sit beside the Father and speak for us.
SUM: Yes, I would say “for nothing is impossible with God”. But I can’t help but wonder if we really believe that?
Mary believed it! Notice her response in verse 38…
Vs. 38
“I am the Lord’s servant”
1. At that moment, a cloud came over her life and was there until the Lord Jesus returned from the dead. I believe she knew it.
- How do I explain this to my family?
- What will Joseph say?
- What about my reputation? My family’s reputation?
- Within her decision to be fully submissive to God’s call included her willingness to suffer ridicule, contempt, and loneliness. Times of confusion, disappointment, and fear.
2. Can you imagine having a child at the AGE OF 13?
- But not just any old child but God’s Son?
- Can you imagine knowing you will be talked about, laughed at, sneered,
II. CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE EYES OF JOSEPH (Matthew 1:18-25)
Mary had no guarantee that her beloved Joseph would understand or even believe her story of miraculous conception. She now had to face the man she loved and tell him that not only she was pregnant, but that he wasn’t the father.
Mary after visiting Elizabeth comes back to Joseph and informs him of this news. His response was obviously negative as we know from our passage he intended to divorce her.
Vs. 18-19
Joseph
Matthew says he was a righteous man.
Like Mary, a careful observer of Mosaic Law
A Carpenter: Meant to plan and/or build homes; to manufacture/build furniture and/or farm tools.
Probably at least 25 years old.
Vs. 20-25
a. Can you imagine the confusion? The embarrassment – anger – Probably a mixture.
b. When we know that doing the right thing will cost us, we need to hear that little voice saying “do not be afraid”. (20)
c. It is always the right time – to do the right thing!
It’s interesting that we see nowhere anything regarding Joseph, the Father of Jesus.
Obviously a good Father because we know Jesus was raised in a Godly home with Godly parents. Even at the age of 12, he was found to be teaching in the temple.
Some may say, “well it was God getting Him ready to teach” and I agree with that but it was the Parents that God used to give him the right surroundings!
So we see a humble, righteous Father, who like Mary, is willing to receive and accept the call of God to perform the specific task laid out for him to do.
III. SUMMARY
What do we learn from the parents of Jesus surrounding this Christmas season? What example do they leave that we can apply to our lives now in the Christmas season?
Both parents show us several Biblical Principles surrounding the CALL OF GOD!
1. God Calls Ordinary People to Do Anything BUT an Ordinary Work!
Mary and Joseph were ordinary parents living a good, normal, ordinary life. The task they performed could only be performed in a way that gives GOD THE GLORY because it was a GOD CALLED TASK.
Ordinary people to do anything BUT Ordinary Work!
2. God Gives Courage to Ordinary People to do God’s Work!
God equips and empowers us to do the task He’s called us to do. We have to work at it and learn the task. And we’ll make many mistakes performing that work. But we must plow on knowing HE’S PREPARING US FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL.
Courage to perform His Call with Excellence and Diligence!
3. God Gives Help For our Doubts & Fears in His Calling!
Can’t you imagine the doubts and fears that both Mary and Joseph had? When we face doubts – when we face fears, there are times we want to avoid the wilderness. But those are the times God uses to prepare us. Don’t avoid the wilderness.
It is only by a journey through the wilderness that we will reach the Promised Land. And if we make the journey, God will be with us.
1. Ordinary People to Do Anything But Ordinary!
2. Courage to do God’s Work!
3. Help for Times of Doubt and Fear?
Merry Christmas! But this Christmas, parents, make sure your children see Peace, Calmness, Joy, Faith and Trust. Remember the example of Mary and Joseph!
The words of Mary to be your testimony …
“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” And in that, live out the promises of the abundant life He promised!
