Matthew 1:18–23 (NLT) 18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ”
The Spirit of Christmas 1. A Promise fulfilled Matthew 1:22 (NLT) “… All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet….’
Matthew 1:1, 17 (NLT) This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham… 17 All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.
2. A Purpose revealed Don't miss the purpose of Jesus. “Jesus didn’t come to meet a human agenda; He came to reveal Heaven’s agenda.”
Matthew 1:21 (NLT) She will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Luke 19:10 (NLT) For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
John 6:44 (NLT) For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me… John 16:8 (NLT) When he comes, he will convict the world of its sin…
3. Presence pronounced Matthew 1:23 (NLT)…They will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’
John 14:26–27 (NLT) 26 When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. 27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart…
4. Power provided The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force.
Jesus revealed how humans filled with the Spirit of God should function. Acts 10:38 (NIV) God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. John 14:12 (NLT) “Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.
John the Baptist Luke 1:15–17 (NLT) 15... He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
After Mary conceives…. Luke 1:39–42 (NLT). 39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Receive the gift of the Father: Acts 1:4–5 (NLT) “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
