Matt 1:22-23 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

As Christmas nears, many prepare to celebrate with family and friends, while others attempt to hold it together because of the sadness this time brings.  Regardless of which side of the fence you stand on I want you to know that God is always thinking about you.  This Christmas as we remember that Jesus is the reason for the season, I propose to you that God would say that You are the reason for the season.  What?? You arrogant, selfish, blankety-blank!!!  Hold on, give a brother a chance and hear me out…..

God had you on His mind when He created Christmas, you were the reason He sent His Son; let’s look at Matthew’s Gospel:

1. Christmas Fulfilled the Word: So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord.  The prophet Isaiah declared a Word which was spoken by the Lord over 700 years prior to what we celebrate every year.  It is amazing, the glorious plan that God put in place for each one of us so long ago.  Isaiah’s prophecy was not the only Word from God that has been (will be) fulfilled because Jesus came on that day we would come to know as Christmas.  Lives were saved, bodies were healed, hearts were restored and miracles were witnessed just as it was previously declared, God’s word was fulfilled because Jesus came.  Christ’s birth initiated the fulfillment of a series of Old Testament scriptures, which includes the day He declared you would become His child.  Oh, you have not accepted Him as Savior yet?  Don’t worry; Scripture is still being fulfilled as you read, so it is just a matter of time.
2. Christmas Fascinated the World: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son.  Have you ever heard of a virgin having a child?  Neither had Joseph and Mary, or anyone else for that matter.  But this would not be His only mind boggling miracle, He would continue to blow the minds of everyone you could imagine. I know that He blows my mind all of the time.  Jesus fascinated the Wise Men and Shepherds the day He was born, then later He has fascinated so many by feeding thousands with a couple of fish; stopped a hurricane with a simple word; told a dead man to get up; took a wretch like me and declared me righteous, his miracles never cease.  Oh, He hasn’t fascinated you yet?  Don’t worry minds are still being blown as you read; yours will too.
3. Christmas Finished the Work: and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”  Because God Himself came to live with us, we no longer have to continue to work for God’s presence.  You see there was a time before Christ that we were required to uphold a set of regulations larger than the entire constitution, just to be considered in good standing with God.  We could not keep all but one and be in good standing.  Nope, if we failed to do one we were condemned.  All of the good we could even think to do would not matter because when Adam sinned we had nothing to offer.  Paul said like this in Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells.  Most know these as the commandments, but God would refer to them as the “Ministry of Death.”  Oh, but on Christmas, it is God with us  that allowed a way for all work to be finished; our sins covered forever and the Law to be fulfilled.  We never have to work for God’s acceptance, because He is with us.  Before Jesus came we needed a mediator, but when He came everything has shifted. Oh, you’re still working to get to God?  Don’t worry I have some good news for you, Christ finished that work for you on Calvary.

Conclusion:  As you prepare to celebrate Christmas, never forget God had this day in mind as the beginning of a great plan that we now are able to receive as a gift today.  It is a gift that keeps on giving to us, and they shall call His name Immanuel.  Merry Christmas!!!  Jesus is the reason we celebrate but we are the reason that God did initiate.