https://youtu.be/Hb5A-vNHa2Y

Matt 1:18-25 - celebrateMerry Christmas! Man- who else is done with 2020? I am! That’s why I’m celebrating Christmas earlyIm  Purist- no Christmas before thanksgiving but based on this year- I need some Christmas joyI need it in my spirit- I also need some Christmas cookies- so I’m doing that as wellThis is the birth announcement of Jesus- the arrival of the king- the reception of the saviorWe all know the story- heard it many times- but just like a friends good story- its always good to hear it again- my kids will say, Dad, tell that story again- there’s some stories that never get oldWhats going on- Matthew is recounting the birth story. Mary is bethrothed to joseph, she’s a virgin, but she’s pregnant by the HS. Joseph was going to pull her away, but an Angel speaks to him in a dream and tells him to not be afraid, its God, call him Jesus and he’s going to change the world. Matthew shares once again- this is a fulfillment of prophecy. (Connection to Jewish audience) and then Joseph is obedient to what the angel of the Lord told him (insert sermon on obedience)Before we get into the sermon- I need to talk a moment about the virgin birth- because its so vitally important and the backdrop to this story- fully human without a taint of sin, fully God and fully man, and because God himself comes to us, able to save us from our sinTitle- Lets celebrate Christmas!

Lets celebrate Christmas- God speaks20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream,The Lord speaks in a dream to Joseph through an angel- and its two fold- Don’t be afraid, here’s whats going to happen and heres what you do v20-21Can you imagine if you hadn’t been with your betrothed and she came up pregnant and you’re wondering what you’re going to do? Full of despair,  not sure what to do next?God- knew- and God sent a prophetic angel to speak directly to Joseph at the exact right time to comfort him, explain to him, and direct himThis is God’s ways- when he moves he tells the people who need to knowBeen this way- Dt 18:18-22  READ-  will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.God spoke in the OT, the NT and now. God speaks- That’s a theme of Christmas to celebrateLuke 1:70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,Why? Because in this backwards make no sense world, we need God to speak to us- we need him to speak and he does.Amos 3:7 7 Surely the Lord God does nothing,Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.Prophecy is a huge part of living for God- it comforts his people, explains to them, and directs them.This is the verse that Matthew was waiting for- Isaiah 7:14 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.What does it mean to you?Do you believe in prophecy? Do you seek after the prophetic?1 Corinthians 14:1  Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.Now- I’m all about flowing in the prophetic- but not the pathetic- If you can’t hear from God what you need to do to manage the simple details of your life- he’s probably not speaking through you to arrange the affairs of others lives.Prophecy first starts with you- what is God speaking to you, and about you- this is  a step many skip-This prophecy to Joseph was for HIM not what he was going to tell othersMany people want to be the prophet without responding to direction from the HS1 Cor 14:3 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.Discern that which comforts men- you don’t have to speak everything the HS tells you- some of it is just for you- but its not about YOU and you can’t push it- no school of prophets2 Peter 1:21  for prophecy never came by the will of man,