Merry Christmas!

Key Scriptures

Galatians 4:44 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

John, 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us ‘Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) to do Your will, O God.’” (Hebrews 10:5-7) Jesus came to do the Father’s will, and He came to represent God, the Father, so that we would know what it is like to have God with us, “Immanuel”. In Colossians, we read, “He Jesus is the image of the invisible God…” Colossians 1:15 In Hebrews, “And He Jesus is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature…” (Hebrews 1:3).

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:18 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. 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. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 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). 24 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.

Why Immanuel God in the flesh?

He came to ransom

Mark 10:45, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

He came to call

Luke 5:31–32, “Jesus said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'”

He came to give light and knowledge to sin

John 9:39, “Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see.

John 12:46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

He came to save

John 3:17 “For God sent not the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He who believes in him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already.”

He came that we can live “God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).

He came so we can have a full life

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

He came to reveal our thoughts

“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against… that the thoughts of many may be revealed” (Luke 2:34).

He has come to set us free!

“He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).

Key Points

  • Immanuel God with us demonstrates His desire to Reddem us.
  • Jesus came to show us The Father.
  • Jesus showed us the error of our ways so that we would repent and want no darkness.
  • Joseph was a protector who submitted to God and gave himself up for his wife.
  • The Manger birth was a sign of his humility, divinity and humanity.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are ways you would have come to Earth if you were him?
  2. If the nature of God is revealed at His birth what nature is revealed?
  3. Is Jesus being Worshiped in your celebration of Christmas?