The Story of Christmas #1 - The People in the Story
Our December series, "The Story of Christmas," tells the familiar story of Christmas from a variety of perspectives.
0 Likes
0 Views
33 cards
17 min read
Pinned
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held on December 22nd following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
The deacons at Grace Church are partnering with Helping Hands in Charlotte for a coat drive.
We are collecting new or gently used coats of any size to donate to Helping Hands. If you have these, please hang them in the Lost & Found coat rack next to the church office on or before December 1st. If anyone in the church has a need for a coat themselves or a loved one, please feel free to take a look and help yourself. Any questions, contact Denny Shaver ([email protected]).
We are collecting new or gently used coats of any size to donate to Helping Hands. If you have these, please hang them in the Lost & Found coat rack next to the church office on or before December 1st. If anyone in the church has a need for a coat themselves or a loved one, please feel free to take a look and help yourself. Any questions, contact Denny Shaver ([email protected]).
If you have interest in sharing Christmas Card greetings with your Grace Church family, you can drop your cards at the Welcome Kiosk now through December 22nd. The Welcome Team will be sorting the cards and distributing them to families on Sunday mornings. Contact Leslie Booher ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
Christmas Tree Voting
We have 8 Christmas Trees to vote on before and after the service on December 1st. Make plans to come early, grab at latte, and take a look at the trees.
The theme this year is The CHRISTmas Story!
Visit the Welcome Kiosk to cast your vote by writing the number of your favorite tree on a slip of paper and placing it in the red basket.
We have 8 Christmas Trees to vote on before and after the service on December 1st. Make plans to come early, grab at latte, and take a look at the trees.
The theme this year is The CHRISTmas Story!
Visit the Welcome Kiosk to cast your vote by writing the number of your favorite tree on a slip of paper and placing it in the red basket.
CJ's coffee shop will be open on Wednesday nights 6:00-7:30 pm. This is a great time to invite others and "pull up a chair" to have conversations.
Sunday, December 1st - Arianna Noteboom
Monday, December 2nd - LuAnn Campbell
Tuesday, December 3rd - Greg Bowers
Wednesday, December 4th - Bonnie Guigar
Saturday, December 7th - Rick Abbott
Monday, December 2nd - LuAnn Campbell
Tuesday, December 3rd - Greg Bowers
Wednesday, December 4th - Bonnie Guigar
Saturday, December 7th - Rick Abbott
Cards
It's Christmas time! As Christians, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
When we think of the Christmas story, there are many characters that come to mind. Some of those are biblical, some are secular.
It seems as if our secular media promotes and has crowded out the biblical Christmas characters. If we aren't careful, this will affect us, if it hasn't already.
When we think of the Christmas story, there are many characters that come to mind. Some of those are biblical, some are secular.
It seems as if our secular media promotes and has crowded out the biblical Christmas characters. If we aren't careful, this will affect us, if it hasn't already.
What does Christmas mean to you today?
If we're honest, it's probably a mixture of feel-good stories, a dose of Hollywood, a sprinkling of Hallmark, a good portion of family tradition, a slice of cultural celebration, and covered with a healthy sprinkling of religious teaching.
We should always ask ourselves, how much of our Christmas is truly Biblical? The reason for this series is to provide a Biblical framework for our thinking, our hearts, our actions, and our relationships.
If we're honest, it's probably a mixture of feel-good stories, a dose of Hollywood, a sprinkling of Hallmark, a good portion of family tradition, a slice of cultural celebration, and covered with a healthy sprinkling of religious teaching.
We should always ask ourselves, how much of our Christmas is truly Biblical? The reason for this series is to provide a Biblical framework for our thinking, our hearts, our actions, and our relationships.
The Bible presents the Christmas story in two main chapters of the Bible. Matthew 1 and Luke 2. In these two chapters, the focus is on three main characters:
- A Man: his name is Joseph
- A Mother: her name is Mary
- The Messiah: his name is Jesus
This morning we will center our attention on just one of these main characters.
Matthew 1:18-25
- A Man: his name is Joseph
- A Mother: her name is Mary
- The Messiah: his name is Jesus
This morning we will center our attention on just one of these main characters.
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 1:18-25
BSB
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us” ).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and embraced Mary as his wife.
25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.
19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us” ).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and embraced Mary as his wife.
25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.
BSB
Joseph: A man who demonstrated FAITHFULNESS.
Not much attention is given to Joseph, but here are some things we do know about him.
His family genealogy is provided in Matthew 1:1-17 and is called the royal lineage.
Not much attention is given to Joseph, but here are some things we do know about him.
His family genealogy is provided in Matthew 1:1-17 and is called the royal lineage.
Matthew 1:1-17
BSB
1 This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
4 Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon.
5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,
7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.
8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.
9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12 After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor.
14 Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud.
15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17 In all, then, there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
4 Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon.
5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,
7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.
8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.
9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12 After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor.
14 Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud.
15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17 In all, then, there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.
BSB
vv. 18-19
We learn that Joseph is pledged to be married to Mary. At this time, marriage was a very long process.
Joseph found that his soon-to-be wife was with-child and the circumstances for which were suspect and virtually impossible to believe.
Joseph is called a righteous man which means he was recognized as someone who honored God.
Joseph sought a way to spare Mary from unimaginable disgrace, and even the loss of her life. He could have:
- publicly chosen to accuse her of infidelity
- bitten the bullet and claimed that he was the father
- considered divorce
We learn that Joseph is pledged to be married to Mary. At this time, marriage was a very long process.
Joseph found that his soon-to-be wife was with-child and the circumstances for which were suspect and virtually impossible to believe.
Joseph is called a righteous man which means he was recognized as someone who honored God.
Joseph sought a way to spare Mary from unimaginable disgrace, and even the loss of her life. He could have:
- publicly chosen to accuse her of infidelity
- bitten the bullet and claimed that he was the father
- considered divorce
Matthew 1:18-19
BSB
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.
19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.
BSB
vv. 20-21
In the midst of Joseph mulling his options, we read in these verses that God sent him an angel with a message.
He is reminded of God's placement in his life, of God's peace, of God's plan, of God's pleasure, and of God's purpose.
In the midst of Joseph mulling his options, we read in these verses that God sent him an angel with a message.
He is reminded of God's placement in his life, of God's peace, of God's plan, of God's pleasure, and of God's purpose.
Matthew 1:20-21
BSB
20 But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
BSB
vv. 22-23
Here we see God giving assurance to Joseph through His word.
Joseph as a devout Jew and a student of the Scriptures would have been very familiar with the prophet Isaiah and his predictions of the coming Messiah.
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6
If we truly want to know God's will we should follow Joseph's example when facing a problem.
1. Live a righteous life so we are in the will of God.
2. Pray about the issues we face.
3. Be a student of the Scriptures so the Lord can use these as He said in Psalm 119:105.
Here we see God giving assurance to Joseph through His word.
Joseph as a devout Jew and a student of the Scriptures would have been very familiar with the prophet Isaiah and his predictions of the coming Messiah.
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6
If we truly want to know God's will we should follow Joseph's example when facing a problem.
1. Live a righteous life so we are in the will of God.
2. Pray about the issues we face.
3. Be a student of the Scriptures so the Lord can use these as He said in Psalm 119:105.
Matthew 1:22-23
BSB
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us” ).
23 “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us” ).
BSB
Isaiah 7:14
BSB
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
BSB
Isaiah 9:6
BSB
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
BSB
Psalms 119:105
BSB
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
BSB
v. 24
Here we read of the utter submission of Joseph to the will and word of God.
The quality of faithfulness is a great descriptive word for Joseph and indicates his devotion to God, to Mary, to his soon to be adopted Son, to the nation of Israel, and to all of humanity.
Here we read of the utter submission of Joseph to the will and word of God.
The quality of faithfulness is a great descriptive word for Joseph and indicates his devotion to God, to Mary, to his soon to be adopted Son, to the nation of Israel, and to all of humanity.
Matthew 1:24
BSB
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and embraced Mary as his wife.
BSB
v. 25
This verse shows us an interesting situation...something that makes little sense in our modern world. We see a principle here that really needs to be taught to our children and grandchildren:
God rewards those who demonstrate their commitment to Him by prioritizing His will over their own desires.
This verse shows us an interesting situation...something that makes little sense in our modern world. We see a principle here that really needs to be taught to our children and grandchildren:
God rewards those who demonstrate their commitment to Him by prioritizing His will over their own desires.
Matthew 1:25
BSB
25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.
BSB
Seven Closing Thoughts:
1. Joseph had a real relationship with God.
2. Joseph is known as a righteous person because he lived his life to honor God.
3. Joseph put others before himself.
4. Joseph obeyed God when he became aware of the Lord’s will.
5. Joseph chose to sacrifice and suffer for the sake of God and others.
6. Joseph stood up and led his family.
7. Joseph was an ordinary guy willing to be used by an extraordinary God.
1. Joseph had a real relationship with God.
2. Joseph is known as a righteous person because he lived his life to honor God.
3. Joseph put others before himself.
4. Joseph obeyed God when he became aware of the Lord’s will.
5. Joseph chose to sacrifice and suffer for the sake of God and others.
6. Joseph stood up and led his family.
7. Joseph was an ordinary guy willing to be used by an extraordinary God.
