The How and Why of Christmas

The HOW and WHY of Christmas

Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew 1:18-19 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

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Matthew 1:20-21 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people 20

Matthew 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

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Matthew 1:24-25 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

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The HOW and WHY of Christmas

HOW ?

(v. 18-20, 24-25)

o Jesus was born to an earthly mother

Matthew 1:18-19 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

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The HOW and WHY of Christmas

HOW ?

(v. 18-20, 24-25)

o Jesus was born to an earthly mother

* significance: Jesus was fully human

The HOW and WHY of Christmas

HOW ?

(v. 18-20, 24-25)

o Jesus was sent from a Heavenly Father

Matthew 1:18, . . . . before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

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. . . . that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

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John 17:23 That the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Matthew 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

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[Isaiah 7:14]

Matthew 1:20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

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Luke 1:34-35 And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holythe Son of God. 34

The HOW and WHY of Christmas

HOW ?

(v. 18-20, 24-25)

o Jesus was sent from a Heavenly Father

* significance: Jesus is fully God

The HOW and WHY of Christmas

HOW ?

(v. 18-20, 24-25)

o Jesus was adopted into a royal family

Matthew 1:20-21 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people 20

The HOW and WHY of Christmas

HOW ?

(v. 18-20, 24-25)

o Jesus was adopted into a royal family

* significance: he was qualified to be Messiah

Luke 1:32-33 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.

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Matthew 1:18-19 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

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The HOW and WHY of Christmas

HOW ?

(v. 18-20, 24-25) o Jesus was born to an earthly mother * significance: Jesus was fully human

o Jesus was sent from a Heavenly Father * significance: Jesus is fully God

o Jesus was adopted into a royal family * significance: he was qualified to be Messiah

The HOW and WHY of Christmas WHY ?

(v. 21-23)

o To provide salvation (v. 21)

Matthew 1:21 “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

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Luke 2:10-11 Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

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Matthew 1:21 “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

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John 1:29 "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!�

Matthew 26:28 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.�

The HOW and WHY of Christmas WHY ? (v. 21-23)

o To provide salvation

(v. 21)

o To “be with us”  Immanuel

(v. 23)

Matthew 1:21-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

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[Isaiah 7:14]