Today the Christian world celebrates Christmas Day. The many Christmas carols we sing give a glimpse of how the world defines Christmas. But the real meaning of Christmas can be drawn from Matthew's infancy narrative (1:18-2:23). This passage records five events, five dreams, and five prophecies. The Old Testament prophecies cited reveal profound insights about Jesus Christ--the promised Messiah.  In this sermon, we will learn five elements of the Christmas story that comprise the essence of Christmas. 

I.             The Christmas story promises God’s presence (1:18-25)

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel—which means, 'God with us.'” (1:22-23; cf. Isaiah 7:14).

II.            The Christmas story provides God’s guidance (2:1-12)

        "...for this is what the prophet has written: 'But you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be shepherd of my people Israel.'" (2:6; cf. Micah 5:2). 

III.           The Christmas story prefigures God’s intervention (2:13-15)

"And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: Out of Egypt I called my son.''" (2:15; cf. Hosea 11:1).  

IV.           The Christmas story prescribes God’s hope (2:16-18)

"Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:  “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." (2:17-18; cf. Jeremiah 31:15). 

V.            The Christmas story predicates God’s providence (2:19-23) 

“...so was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: He will be called a Nazarene.” (2:23).