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God With Us- The Hope of Christmas

Matthew 1:18-25

Christmas is a time when we celebrate the miraculous – the arrival of Immanuel, “God with us.” In Matthew 1:18-25, we see the extraordinary story unfold with Mary, Joseph, and an angelic messenger. These key figures remind us of the weight of God’s plan and the depth of His love.

Mary and Joseph: Faithful and Obedient

Mary was most likely a young woman, perhaps even a teenager, as was customary for betrothals in her time. Betrothal was more than an engagement; it was a binding agreement. Breaking it required a legal divorce. This context sheds light on Joseph’s decision when he learned of Mary’s pregnancy. He initially planned to “put her away” quietly, meaning to divorce her without shame.

Mary faced immense risks with this pregnancy:

  1. Her Virginity: As a virgin pledged to be married, her pregnancy was scandalous. It took divine intervention for Joseph to believe and accept the miraculous truth.
  2. Cultural Law: According to Old Testament law, a woman found unfaithful could face severe punishment, even death (Leviticus 20:10).
  3. Stigma: Despite knowing the truth, both Mary and Joseph would face societal whispers about Jesus’ legitimacy.

The Incarnation: God With Us

Mary’s pregnancy by the Holy Spirit is the foundation of the incarnation. Jesus had to be born of a woman but without inheriting the sinful nature passed down from Adam. This miraculous conception fulfilled a prophecy made hundreds of years earlier:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14

Why does the incarnation matter? Jesus, fully God and fully man, was uniquely qualified to rescue humanity. Only a sinless man could atone for sinful humanity, and only God could bear the weight of that sin.

Charles Spurgeon captures the mystery of the incarnation: “It is a deep, mysterious, and delicate subject, fitter for reverent faith than for speculative curiosity.”

Paul Tripp adds, “The incarnation of Jesus Christ pointedly preaches our inescapable need for radical, personal, and moral rescue and forgiveness.”

Belief and Obedience

Belief leads to obedience, and obedience strengthens belief. Faith itself is a gift from God:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

Mary and Joseph’s actions exemplify this truth. Mary praised God, as recorded in Luke’s Gospel, while Joseph obeyed by taking Mary as his wife and refraining from consummating their marriage until after Jesus was born. Their obedience reminds us to trust God’s plan even when it challenges our understanding.

The Christmas Message: Good News and Bad News

Christmas brings both good news and bad news. The bad news is that humanity is broken and in desperate need of rescue. Sin has separated us from God, and no human effort can bridge the gap. But the good news is far greater: God did not leave us in our helpless state. Through Jesus, He provided the only way to be rescued.

Christmas reminds us of God’s kindness, love, and goodness. Jesus is our rescuer, Immanuel, God with us. As we celebrate, let us reflect on the miracle of His birth and the hope it brings to all who believe.

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When News Changes Everything

What’s the greatest news you’ve ever heard? Was it a surprise trip? Finding out you were going to be a parent? A promotion at work? Or maybe it was hearing about something incredible that happened to a friend or loved one.

It’s hard to rank life’s greatest moments, but there’s one piece of news that surpasses them all. In fact, it’s so good that it holds the #1 spot for everyone, whether they realize it or not.

This news is twofold:

1. The Birth of the Savior

Imagine this scene: shepherds are watching their flocks one quiet night when suddenly an angel appears, breaking the stillness with an incredible announcement:

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

The angel goes on to describe where they can find the baby, and then, as if to punctuate the moment, a multitude of angels fills the sky, praising God and declaring:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14).

Can you imagine the wonder of that moment? The Savior—prophesied for centuries—had finally arrived! The King of Kings, the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, was born!

But the birth of Jesus wasn’t just a miraculous event in history. It had a purpose. As Paul reminds us:

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).

The good news of Jesus’ birth leads us to the second part of this greatest news.

2. His Death and Resurrection

While birth announcements bring joy, it’s strange to think of a death announcement as part of the greatest news. Yet, the gospel tells us that Jesus’ death wasn’t a tragedy—it was a triumph.

Jesus, the sinless Son of God, willingly gave His life for sinful humanity. His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, demonstrating both the seriousness of sin and the depth of God’s love.

But the story doesn’t end there. Three days later, Jesus rose from the grave, proving His victory over sin and death. This is why the angel at the tomb could say to the women who came to anoint Jesus’ body:

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay” (Matthew 28:5-6).

The resurrection of Jesus is the continuation—and completion—of the greatest news ever declared.

Our Response to the Greatest News

In both the birth and resurrection of Jesus, angels delivered the news along with instructions.

• At Jesus’ birth, the shepherds were told to find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger (Luke 2:12). Their response? “They went with haste” (Luke 2:16). They believed the message and obeyed, finding and worshiping Jesus.

• At the empty tomb, the women were told to go and tell the disciples that Jesus had risen. Their response? “They departed quickly…and ran to tell His disciples” (Matthew 28:8). They, too, believed and obeyed.

The pattern is clear: belief leads to obedience.

The birth of Jesus points to His purpose—to save sinners through His death and resurrection. And the empty tomb assures us that the Savior lives!

Sharing the News

The greatest news isn’t meant to stay with us. Like the shepherds and the women at the tomb, we’re called to share it with others. Jesus Himself commanded us:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the foundation of the gospel—the good news that changes everything. Let’s believe it, live it, and share it boldly.

How do you respond to the greatest news?

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Light Forever

Revelation 22:5: “And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

I hate coming home to a dark house. We don’t have a smart home where we can control the lights from our phones, but there are times I wish we could. Usually, it’s when we come home from shopping or some other activity and I have to enter the house with my hands full, fumbling to find a light switch in the darkness.

When I come home, I like turning on most of the lights in the house to feel comfortable. Light brings a sense of security, warmth, and clarity. It dispels the unknown and the unease that comes with darkness.

During the Christmas season, we’re reminded that Jesus described Himself as “The Light of the World.” His coming was the life-light that broke through the darkness of sin, bringing hope to a fallen world. But the light He brings is not just a temporary glow to illuminate our present path; it is an everlasting light that will one day make all wrong things right (Revelation 21:5).

Darkness Will Be No More

Darkness in Scripture often represents sin, evil, and separation from God. Revelation 21:4 declares that all of this will be no more. Jesus will completely eradicate the darkness—sin and its effects will be gone forever.

-No More Sickness: Imagine a world with no debilitating diseases, no cancer, no dreaded calls from the doctor with bad news. There will be no more genetic defects, no more frailty in our bodies, and no more groaning of creation under the weight of the fall.

– No More Death: Death, the shadow that has loomed over humanity since the fall, will be gone forever. We will be transformed and given bodies that will last eternally (*Philippians 3:20-21*). The grief and sting of loss will be erased as death itself is swallowed up in victory.

– No More Pangs of Sin: Revelation 21:4 also promises that there will be no more crying or mourning because the root cause—sin—will be eliminated. Every source of pain, shame, and regret will be wiped away in the glorious presence of our Savior.

Hope In Grief

If you have ever lost someone close to you, you know the deep ache that death brings. This will be my third Christmas without my mom, and the pain of her absence is still real. There are moments of tears and grief, but I cling to the hope Paul speaks of in *1 Thessalonians 4:13: “We do not grieve as those who have no hope.”

This hope doesn’t erase the sorrow, but it transforms it. It’s a reminder that the light of Jesus has not only come into the world but will one day shine eternally, banishing every shadow of sin and death.

As we celebrate Christmas, let’s remember that the Light of the World has come and that His light is everlasting. A day is coming when darkness will be no more, and we will dwell forever in the glorious, comforting light of God.

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The Light Has Come

1 John 1:5-10

Living in the Pacific Northwest during the fall and winter months can feel like an endless November. The sky is often gray, the rain constant, and the sun elusive. The days grow shorter, and even when the sun peeks out, it feels fleeting. Yet, those brief moments of sunshine bring warmth and refreshment—physically and emotionally. There’s something inherently life-giving about light after prolonged darkness, a reminder of something greater: the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. 

The Light Promised  

The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of Christ, describing it as light breaking into deep darkness: 

Isaiah 9:2, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”

In the fullness of time, God fulfilled this promise. Galatians 4:4 tells us that God sent His Son at just the right moment, shining light into a spiritually dark world. Israel had experienced centuries of waiting, seeing only glimpses of God’s plan. Then, the birth of Christ shattered the spiritual November, signaling the dawn of salvation. 

Even in the nativity story, light plays a significant role. The star that guided the wise men to Jesus in Matthew 2 wasn’t just a celestial marker; it symbolized Christ as the Light of the world. Similarly, the shepherds encountered the radiant glory of the Lord when the angel announced Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:9). These manifestations pointed to Jesus, who is God with us—Immanuel. 

God is Light  

In 1 John 1:5, we read:  “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

The imagery of light and darkness speaks to sin and salvation. Unlike fictional tales where light and darkness are equally matched (think Star Wars), God’s light overpowers darkness completely. Jesus, the Light of the world, has authority over sin and death, a truth established from the very beginning.  

After the fall of humanity in Genesis 3, God promised a Savior, declaring that the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). Spurgeon describes this promise as swift mercy—a glimpse of hope before the full weight of sin’s curse was even pronounced. Jesus, the snake crusher, came to fulfill this promise, vanquishing sin and offering redemption. 

The Purpose of Jesus’ Coming  

Jesus didn’t come merely to make a statement or gather followers. He wasn’t a celebrity seeking a fan club. His mission was far greater: to defeat sin, redeem humanity, and bring us into fellowship with God. John 1:9-10 emphasizes this: 

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.” 

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection call us out of darkness into His marvelous light. He cleanses us from sin and transforms our hearts, enabling us to live for Him. 

Walking in the Light  

1 John 1:6 challenges us to examine our lives:  

“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

Being a Christian isn’t about outward appearances or checking religious boxes; it’s about a transformed life. When we walk in the light, we reflect Christ in our actions, speech, and attitudes. 

This truth struck me as a high school freshman. Although I grew up in a Christian environment, someone pointed out that my life didn’t look any different from those who didn’t follow Christ. That realization forced me to confront where I stood with Jesus. Was I truly walking in the light?  

Cleansed by His Blood  

Verse 7 provides the assurance of forgiveness for those who belong to Christ: 

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

The cleansing power of Jesus’ blood covers our past, present, and future sins. This isn’t a license to live however we want but a motivation to pursue holiness, knowing that we are forgiven. 

Confession and Forgiveness  

1 John 1:9 reminds us of God’s faithfulness:  

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

Confession isn’t about earning forgiveness—it’s about restoring fellowship with God. Through Christ’s work on the cross, we have the assurance that our sins are forgiven, and we can approach God with confidence. 

Conclusion  

Without Jesus, we would remain in spiritual darkness. But the Light of the world has come, overcoming sin and death and offering us new life. 

– Are you walking in the light?  

– Are you looking to God for forgiveness and transformation through Jesus? 

May we remember that Christ is the Light who brings hope, joy, and eternal fellowship with God. Let His light shine in your life and through your life, reflecting His glory to a world in need of Him. 

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The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Everyone probably has received one of those gifts that you either will never use or ever wear. The person who gave it may have had the best intentions yet they just don’t know you. The best gifts are not only the ones that you want but the ones that you can keep on using.

What would be a gift that keeps on giving? Maybe it would be a gym membership, or a monthly jam or jelly subscription (yes, they do exist). At our house we joke that when someone is sick, it is a gift that keeps on giving, as the sickness gets passed around from person to person.

The best gift that one can ever receive is Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul writes, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift” (2 Cor. 9:15)! Paul uses the word inexpressible because our vocabulary fails to give the proper meaning of the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

This gift is not a one time gift, but continuously is given to us through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. This gift not only is presently given but it is for all eternity. How is Jesus the gift that keeps on giving? In the letter to the church in Galatia, Paul mentions the working of salvation or the gift of why Christ came?

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


Galatians, which very similar to the book of Romans, addresses that aspect of why Christ came and what does it all mean? Jesus came, born under the law to save those who are under the law (Gal. 4:4-5). We can see three aspects to what Christ has done in this passage.

First,  The Gift of the Work of the Son 

At the perfect time, Christ came onto the scene both historically and personally. He did not came late or early but when the “fullness of time” came, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The same is true that the Gospel was presented to you and you believing and confessing Christ as Lord was part of God’s sovereign and perfect plan. 

The work that Jesus Christ, the Son gives us is adoption and redemption. Adoption in a Greco/Roman culture was significant. It usually happened when a wealthy man who didn’t have any children would then adopt one of his slaves. The slave then would become a child of the owner and receive the inheritance from the wealthy man. 

This is the picture of what God has done with us through Jesus Christ. We were the slaves to sin yet God in his grace and mercy through the work of Jesus Christ we have become not only free from sin but also adopted as God’s children. 

Second, The Gift of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the believer to be able to glorify God, proclaim the Gospel, and edify the saints. Yet, Paul isn’t referring to those gifts in this passage. He is referring to the ability to call out to God, “Abba Father.”

This calling out is a passionate plea with God that we can draw near to Him because of the work of the Holy Spirit. “Abba Father” is equivalent to saying “Daddy” or “Papa”. Jesus had this relationship with the Father and because of the work of Jesus we can too (Mark 14:36). 

Third, The Gift of Sonship

Paul reiterates in this passage in Galatians about the importance of adoption into the family of God. In verse 7 hr writes, “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” The strength of knowing that you went from a slave to a son or daughter of God is huge. You didn’t just go from a slave to a free person. You were brought to the nearest positionally relationally to God than ever possible because of what Jesus has done for us.

Sinclair Ferguson mentions the importance of  Sonship for the Christian by saying, “The notion that we are children of God, His own sons and daughters … is the mainspring of Christian living … Our sonship to God is the apex of creation and the goal of redemption” Not only as sons and daughters but as co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:16-17). 

Thank God for his inexpressible gift, Jesus Christ who keeps on giving now and forever!