1. “The Peace of Christmas”

2. Matthew 1:18-25 “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

3. “The Peace of Christmas” Matthew 1:18-25 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not to exposed her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

4. “The Peace of Christmas” Matthew 1:18-25 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

5. “The Peace of Christmas” Matthew 1:18-25 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.’

6. “The Peace of Christmas” Matthew 1:18-25 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they call Him Immanuel’ – which means, ‘God with us.’

7. “The Peace of Christmas” Matthew 1:18-25 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”

8. “The Peace of Christmas” Christmas should be a time of hope, peace, joy, and love.

9. “The Peace of Christmas” I. God is in control. (vs. 18-20) “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

10. “The Peace of Christmas” I. God is in control. (vs. 18-20) Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not to exposed her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

11. “The Peace of Christmas” I. God is in control. (vs. 18-20) But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

12. “The Peace of Christmas” I. God is in control. (vs. 18-20) a.) Mary’s dilemma – she was found to be with child.

13. “The Peace of Christmas” I. God is in control. (vs. 18-20) a.) Mary’s dilemma – she was found to be with child. b.) Joseph’s dilemma – he struggled to know what to do.

14. “The Peace of Christmas” I. God is in control. (vs. 18-20) a.) Mary’s dilemma – she was found to be with child. b.) Joseph’s dilemma – he struggled to know what to do. c.) God’s intervention – Joseph receives a word from God.

15. “The Peace of Christmas” I. God is in control. (vs. 18-20) God’s message to Joseph: 1.Replaced his fear & confusion with peace.

16. “The Peace of Christmas” I. God is in control. (vs. 18-20) God’s message to Joseph: 1.Replaced his fear & confusion with peace. 2.Assured him that God was in control.

17. “The Peace of Christmas” II. God has done & still does. (vs. 22-25) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they call Him Immanuel’ – which means, ‘God with us.’

18. “The Peace of Christmas” II. God has done & still does. (vs. 22-25) When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”

19. “The Peace of Christmas” II. God has done & still does. (vs. 22-25) a.) God fulfilled prophecy.

20. “The Peace of Christmas” Prophecies concerning Jesus’ birth: -Virgin conception – Isaiah 7:14 – fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23 -Born in Bethlehem – Micah 5:2 – fulfilled in Luke 2:4-11 -Descendent of Abraham – Genesis 12:1-3 – fulfilled in Matthew 1:1

21. “The Peace of Christmas” Prophecies concerning Jesus’ birth: -Descendent of Isaac – Genesis 21:12 – fulfilled in Hebrews 11:18 -Tribe of Judah – Genesis 49:10 – fulfilled in Luke 3:23 -Davidic lineage – Psalm 132:11 – fulfilled in Matthew 1:1

22. “The Peace of Christmas” II. God has done & still does. (vs. 22-25) a.) God fulfilled prophecy.

23. “The Peace of Christmas” II. God has done & still does. (vs. 22-25) a.) God fulfilled prophecy. b.) God enabled a virgin to give birth.

24. “The Peace of Christmas” III. God cares for us. (vs. 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.’

25. “The Peace of Christmas” III. God cares for us. (vs. 21) a.) God saw us in our sins.

26. “The Peace of Christmas” III. God cares for us. (vs. 21) a.) God saw us in our sins. b.) Instead of despising us, God loved us.

27. “The Peace of Christmas” III. God cares for us. (vs. 21) a.) God saw us in our sins. b.) Instead of despising us, God loved us. Bottom line: A Jesus-centered life is the only way to have real hope, peace, joy, & love every day.