Text: Matthew 1:18-25… Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus

Doyou think Joseph was ready for Christmas?

Doyou think Christmas for Joseph was anything like it is for us today?

How do you know if you’re ready for Christmas?

Cards & Presents, Preparations & Pies?

Travel Plans, Guest Lists & Invitations?

Joseph Was Ready For Christmas;by having the right attitude

One: Joseph Was Ready For Christmas; Willing To Trust God

Matthew 1:24… Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded himand took to him his wife,

Joseph believed in the DivineDestiny of God.

Verse 21…"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

Divine destiny is dependent upon Divine progression---

She (Mary), --you (Joseph), --He (Jesus)

Joseph believed the Prophetic promisesof God.

Matthew 1:22-23… So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

Promise- Isaiah 7:14… a virgin shall give birth… This child shall be God’s Son… His name shall be called Immanuel- Jesus- God with us!

Two: Joseph Was Ready For Christmas; Caring About Needs Other Than His Own

Matthew 1:19…then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

As Christians, Our Goals this Year Should Be. . .

To be protectors- Jewish Law would be harsh

To open our hearts to the disenfranchised

-From The Mood of Christmas

by Howard Thurman

The work of Christmas begins:

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flocks,

The work of Christmas is:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoners,

To rebuild nations,

To bring peace everywhere,

To make music in the heart!

Are you ready to make a difference in someone’s life this year?

Do your Christmas plans include the lost or the hungry?

Will your Christmas relieve stress & add music to someone’s soul?

Joseph- in a personally embarrassing situation thought primarily of the welfare of the very one who had drastically disappointed him

Being a Christian could cost you popularity.

Being a Christian will cost you financially.

Have you discussed with your family… including in your Christmas budget a special offering for Jesus?

Being a Christian might cost you your life.

Three: Joseph Was Ready For Christmas;Putting Jesus Ahead Of Himself

Matthew 1:24-25… Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus

Can we honor God in spite of human expectations?

Can we put Christ & His will ahead of our earthly desires?

Can we practice restraint for the purpose of miracles?

Can we reverence what God has declared his alone?

Can we value the mini-miracles being birthed all around us?

Can we seek Jesus the Christ in this season we call Christmas?

A small girl speaking of a family Christmas tradition… "My favorite thing about Christmas is when Mommy and Daddy take baby Jesus from the Nativity scene and hide Him. Then we go find him next year."

Close:

We are here to seek the Lord-- The choice is always up to the individual… Scripture records a vast variety of responses to the Words of Jesus…

Three negative responses…

Matthew 22:22…When they heard… they marveled, and left…

Luke 4:28…when they heard…they were angry…

Mark 4:15… When they hear, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

If you feel like there is nothing here for you—maybe the enemy is stealing your harvest

Four profitable responses…

Mark 3:8… when they heard…a great multitude came to Him

Mark 4:20… When these…hear the word, accept [it], and bear fruit: thirty, sixty, and a hundred-fold

Acts 2:37… when they heard, they were cut to the heart, and said … what shall we do?

Acts 4:24… when they heard …they raised their voice to God with one accord

Let us raise our voice to the King of Kings in praise…as we remember Joseph’s first Christmas…What a powerful man of God …chosen to care for the young Messiah…