“Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
• Think of that… the living God, didn’t become Lord… God Himself shrunk Himself down into such a small package… The face of Baby Jesus was the face of God Himself…
Where do we get this idea…
• He was yet to be dedicated at the Temple…
• He was yet to live the perfect life…
• He was yet to die on the cross…
• He was yet to be resurrected…
• He was yet to ascend into Heaven…
Matthew 1:18-25
V21
In the Name Jesus we don’t see simply the heart of Joseph, but the heart of God Himself, and His thoughts on Jesus…
• Joseph isn’t given the right to name the Son, His true Father is, (God Himself names Him)…
Jesus – “Savior” or “the Lord is Salvation”
• When you say Jesus, you’re calling out the name “Savior… the Lord is Salvation…”
“From their sins”
• Not from poverty, or to a life of comfort, or from the Roman Empire, or from ever getting sick… Yes, there is blessing from serving the Lord…
• But His primary purpose when it comes to our relationship with Jesus is the only thing that is eternal about us… to save us from the damage of our sins… that we would live as children of God with Him in eternity…
• Notice it didn’t say “in” their sins… He doesn’t save us to remain in our sins, but to release us from the bondage of our sins… as well it’s eternal effects…
V23
“Immanuel” – God with us
• Jesus didn’t only become God with us, He already was God and then came to us…
John 1:1, 14
• This Child was conceived by God, and is the fulfillment of God’s promises to David and the prophets… He is the Savior, the Salvation the Lord is sending for the sins of those that would know Him. He is God Himself, and is physically present in the world…
Luke also makes this point…
Luke 2:9-14
V11 “Is Christ (Messiah) the Lord…” not, will become the Lord, but is…
• He was Savior, He was Lord before He ever touched a cross…
• It was only a matter of time until it was fulfilled, but nothing was going to stop that moment…
Revelation 13:8 NKJV … the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
In fact, before Jesus died on the cross, He forgave sins…
Mark 2:5-12
Jesus has always been, and will always be Lord and Savior, before His birth, at His birth, and every moment thereafter…
And as Lord and Savior He came with a purpose in mind…
Galatians 4:4-7
Jesus didn’t become God’s Son, Jesus always was the Son of God…
• He always was the Savior…
• He always was the promised One…
• He always was our Messiah…
The story of Christmas isn’t just the story of the birth of Jesus… But of how His birth opens the door for us to be born again… we, through Christ, become sons and daughters of the living God…
• We become part of La Familia de Dios… the Family of God…
• Jesus, the Son of God, came that more sons and daughters would come into the Kingdom of God…
If Jesus is not in your heart, if you are not a Christian…
• The best way to celebrate Christmas is not simply to have something under the tree, set up a nativity, and sing a few carols…
• But the best way is to become a son or daughters of God through the person and work of the Son of God, Jesus…
• That baby Jesus would be more than just a nice excuse to give gifts and have some vacation time, but that He would truly be our Lord and Savior…
Luke 13:5 NKJV
5 … unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Romans 2:4 NKJV
… the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
Romans 10:9-13 NKLV
9 if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” … 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Jesus did all the work…
He simply calls us to turn to Him, and from sin, and call upon Him name…”