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Nativity Story

The nativity scene is a powerful image around Christmas time. We put nativities in our houses and in our yards.

But for a lot of us, the story doesn't really pop because we don't understand the context around it.

Matthew 1:18-23 NIV
[18] This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. [19] Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. [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. [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.” [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: [23] “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.1.18-23.NIV

Why this couple? Why Mary and Joseph?

A portrait of faithfulness

Prophecy about Jesus

2 Samuel 7:11-12, 16 NIV
[11] and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. “ ‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: [12] When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.

[16] Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ”
https://bible.com/bible/111/2sa.7.11-16.NIV

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV
[6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.9.6-7.NIV

how Jesus shows up

Mark 1:14-15 NIV
[14] After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. [15] “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.1.14-15.NIV

Jesus fulfills the prophecy, just not in the way everybody expected.

There was a simple faithfulness in Mary and Joseph.

Where is this all happening?

The small and the significant

They are going back to Josephs home for the census.

Micah 5:2 NIV
[2] “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
https://bible.com/bible/111/mic.5.2.NIV

Jesus being born in Bethlehem was foretold. Bethlehem was the birthplace of David, it was where Ruth and Boaz lived.

Bethlehem was like the Akron of their day. A small, gritty city.

1 Corinthians 1:27-28 NIV
[27] But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. [28] God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,
https://bible.com/bible/111/1co.1.27-28.NIV

God does not use expected or impressive things to fulfill his mission. He uses simple, plain, even boring ways.

Was Mary really pregnant through the Holy Spirit?

Earthly and eternal

Matthew 1:20-23 NIV
[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. [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.” [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: [23] “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.1.20-23.NIV

God sympathizes for us a fellow sufferer, but he sacrifices for us as our savior.

Mary being pregnant through the Spirit is foundational to our faith. If you pull out that Jenga block, everything else falls. If Jesus just came from two people, he would not be God and he would just be a madman.

But how will he save?

He will deal with the curse of sin

Forgiving the debt

Luke 1:76-77 NIV
[76] And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, [77] to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.1.76-77.NIV

Matthew 26:28 NIV
[28] This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.26.28.NIV

Jesus didn't pour out his blood just to be a good example to us. He said his blood is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

Sin has effects. And we don't just need a "sorry". We need this problem to be fully dealt with.

Galatians 3:13 NIV
[13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.3.13.NIV

Crushing the collector

Genesis 3:15 NIV
[15] And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.3.15.NIV

Colossians 2:14-16 NIV
[14] having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. [15] And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. [16] Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
https://bible.com/bible/111/col.2.14-16.NIV

He won't just tell the way — He is the way who shows the way

The law points out our need for the savior, but we cannot accomplish what it demands.

Jesus has saved us, AND, he is saving us.

As we follow Jesus, we forgive as we've been forgiven. Our bitterness does not save us, it kills us.

Homework: read Luke 2