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A young couple was married for two years when they had their first child. It was a baby boy. They brought the baby home from the hospital and anticipated all the “firsts”. The first snuggle together on the couch with Dad. The first feeding at home with Mom. The first diaper change. The first night in the crib. The first sleepless night at home. You get the idea. The couple’s family and friends kept calling to see when they could stop by to see the newborn baby boy. So the couple decided to have a party to invite guests to their home in celebration of their newborn son.

Plans were set with food preparations, decorations, and a clean house ready to receive guests. People arrived and the young couple greeted everyone. The couple took their guests’ coats and laid them all on the bed as they had always done. Everyone enjoyed the warm fire place, the background music, the conversation among all the company, and of course the tasty food.

Most everyone knew the baby was sleeping in the bedroom. However, what they did not know, nor the parents remember, that the baby was sleeping on the bed where all the coats had been laid. Unfortunately, while everyone enjoyed the celebrations the infant son was suffocating.

Today, while many people enjoy the celebrations and seasonal décor of Christmas, the Son of God is forgotten and stifled. The name of Jesus is censored at Christmas. The One who came to redeem the world is repressed in society. Sadly, the Savior has become smothered during the season of Christmas.

Today’s message is a reminder of the importance of who Jesus is and why He came – and why we celebrate Christmas. We’ll reflect upon Matthew 1:1-17 to discern three truths about the Christmas story.

EXAMINE Christmas Family
¹ The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. ² Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, ³ and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, ⁴ and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, ⁵ and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, ⁶ and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, ⁷ and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, ⁸ and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, ⁹ and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
¹⁰ and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, ¹¹ and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. ¹² And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
¹³ and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, ¹⁴ and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, ¹⁵ and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, ¹⁶ and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. ¹⁷ So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

The Christmas story is historical.

• From OT to NT. The last OT prophet of God was Malachi (460BC). After this time was known as “The Silent Period.” God wasn’t necessarily silent, but there was a pause on prophetic ministry…until Jesus began a public ministry. Sometimes God’s preparatory work can appear we are forsaken, but is the fertile soil for our faith to develop strong roots where eyes cannot see beneath the ground.

Sometimes God’s preparatory work can appear that we are forsaken, but is the fertile soil for our faith to develop strong roots where eyes cannot see beneath the ground.

• OT Daniel’s dream and prophecy of future empires during this silent period:
  • 586 Babylon conquered Israel
  • 539 Mede/Persian Empire conquered Babylon… Jews were allowed to return but many didn’t. Plus, their wealth was depleted unlike during Solomon’s reign with the first temple.
  • 336BC Greece… with Philip of Macedon, then his son Alexander (the great) reigned. In 10 years, Alex controlled large territory: Egypt, Syria, Asia, India… Influenced Hellenistic culture. Alexander’s conquest influenced Caesar, Augustus, Mark Antony, Napoleon, and even Hitler, and Sadaam Hussein.
    Before his death, he split his kingdom into 4 regions, which rivaled one another.
    • Israel remained in crossfire of region.
    • From Syria, Antiochus IV (viewed himself as god-like) was very anti-semitic. He sacrificed pigs in the Jewish temple altar and commanded worship to him.
      This continued until 165BC.
    • Maccabean family leads revolt to protect their homeland and cleanse the temple from sacrilege. They lit lamps, though they were out of oil, but the lamps miraculously stayed lit for 8-days, until a new supply of oil could be made. From this point, Jews observed a holiday of lighting candles for 8-days in honor of this victory and gift from God. Jews call this “Hanukkah” (means “dedication”) / Festival of Lights.
  • 65 BC Julius Caesar rules Rome. 63BC Jerusalem taken by Pompey. The infamous Herod family established ruthless campaigns and leadership for multiple decades, along with Pontius Pilate as a governor in 26AD. Rome stays in power with a dramatic series of leaders until 476AD.   

• 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke / John
  • Matthew was a tax collector who wrote to a Jewish audience to communicate Jesus as Messiah, but also express worldwide mission.
  • The Gospel of Matthew was likely written in 40’s-50’s AD. Early church fathers suggest that Matthew was the first Gospel; though many are uncertain.[1] Regardless, Matthew’s Gospel is a faithful and fascinating record on the life of Jesus.

• Matthew doesn’t start with “Once upon a time…” or “In a galaxy far, far away…” but provides a genealogy for historical accuracy. The author is noting the events actually happened in a set time and place.
  • Matthew 1:1 “The book of genealogy of Jesus Christ”
  • Matthew 1:18 the birth of Jesus Christ took place this way…”
  • Names: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob… David, Solomon… Joseph, Mary. These, and the other names, are all part of historical record and archaeology proving these existed, and the Bible is not mythical or fictional story.

We can understand that Christianity is not just proverbial principles w/ good moral ideas to live by…

• Confucius says
• Buddha
• Seriously – all religious teachings have some truth and are somewhat alike. But it’s vital to also understand the religious founder/leader.

Scripture/Christianity is more than a set of Jesus’ teachings; it is about His actual life – and death & resurrection. Jesus’ teachings do not make sense apart from His identity as God and His life as a substitutionary sacrifice for righteousness. Christianity is not just good advice, but it is good news; it’s an event that happened with impact on real life.

Christianity is not just good advice, but it is good news; it’s an event that happened with impact on real life.

• Christianity is not us living for God, but that Christ lived for us.
  • Our world does not need more religious teaching/teachers but it needs good news.
    • C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity: “There has been no lack of good advice for the last 4000 years. A bit more would not have made a difference… We never have followed the advice of the great teachers. Why would we be likely to begin now?
      Why would we be more likely to follow Christ than any of the others?
      Because He is the best moral teacher? That makes it even less likely that we shall follow Him. If we cannot take the  elementary lessons, is it likely we are going to take the most advanced ones?
      If Christianity only means one more bit of good advice, then Christianity is of no importance.”

• The challenge: good news is not just to be believed but must be received. You can follow all the morals and religious rules but still not be a true Christian. You can be near Christians and in church regularly but still not a true Christian.
  A Christian is one who has personally repented of sin and is in a surrendered relationship w/ Jesus as Lord.
  • Religion may read the Bible, but Relationship with Jesus lets the Bible read you.

> Confession is confirmation of relationship.
> Prayer is often a proof of relationship.

The Christmas story is theological.

Matthew’s opening statement announces the central figure of His Gospel with the genealogical record of Jesus Christ, with each successive generation leading toward His birth (Mt 1:1, 16-17). “The Evangelists are primarily writing a Christological story.”[2] “Matthew’s names for Jesus present him as the fulfillment of the hopes and prophecies of Israel…”[3] So, there are not two ways for salvation and God’s blessings – one for Israel, and one for Gentiles. Instead, everything in life and the promises of God are through Jesus Christ. That doesn’t mean the church replaces Israel, but simply Jesus fulfills God’s promises to Israel. The church is grafted in to Israel’s vine, making one tree – one body in Christ (cf. Ro 11; Eph 2:13, ff).

Uniquely, Matthew 1:17 shows the genealogy is categorized into 3 sets of 14 or 6 sets of 7 generations with Jesus starting the 7^th set of the 7^th generation. The #7 often symbolizes completion.

Further: God rested on 7^th day of creation; Land was to rest every 7^th year and the 7^th of 7 years was a year of Jubilee to free servants and forgive debts (Lev 25). Therefore, Matthew is saying that Jesus’ birth marks a life of jubilee for freedom and forgiveness. Jesus’ entrance to earth is marking the completion of one era and the beginning of a new era in human history (cf. Mat 28:20 “until the end of the age”),[4] and that is precisely how we date our days – BC/AD – our calendars/documents/etc.

Matthew’s names/titles for Jesus are theological statements:

1. The first name is “Christ”, listed four times in the first eighteen verses (vv. 1, 16, 17, 18), which means anointed one, and is the Hebrew title for the Messiah. – not Joe & Mary’s w/Jesus’ last name…
   
   
2. The second name is “son of David.” The line of David links Jesus to God’s royal promise to David for the throne (2Sam 7:12).

• The third name is “son of Abraham.” The line of Abraham links him to the great patriarch of the people of God, with God’s promise to make a great nation – citizens of God’s kingdom.

Additionally, Matthew list names in the genealogy that if we’re not paying attention or don’t know OT history, we will miss.

Illus: They’re like “easter eggs” in movies… they’re hidden messages but they’re in plain sight if you’re paying attention.

• Mt 1:7 List Asaph not Asa. Asa was the next king, but mixed in idolatry. Instead, Matthew lists Asaph, who was a well-known psalmist who glorified God with songs of his day.
• Mt 1:10 Amos not Amon (2Chr 33:20). Amon was an evil king, after his father Manasseh. Instead, Matthew lists Amos as a well-known prophet who called people to hate evil and seek good.

Matthew lists both names to weave the idea that Jesus is the Christ from before the Law with Abraham, to Psalms and Prophets. In other words, Jesus encompasses all of Scripture (cf Mt 5:17; Lk 24:44).

The Christmas story is deeply theological, revealing something profoundly true and exceedingly meaningful. The Christmas season feels almost magical and mysterious, yet its tangible simply with the reminder that God is faithful to all His promises across centuries and generations.

During Jesus’ birth and life, Israel was under the evil empire Rome thinking that God had forgotten His promises. After Jesus’ death and even His resurrection, Jewish disciples were still concerned about being abandoned by God (cf Ac 1:6).

Today, we celebrate the theology of Christmas made tangible through God’s faithfulness. This is why we celebrate Advent, because we need the reminder to keep trusting Jesus and waiting for His return.

Likewise, on a personal level, whether you are experiencing a season of spiritual dryness, emotional depression, or circumstantial darkness, know that God cares and will complete His work. God’s past faithfulness can give you hope to trust in His future fulfillment.

The Christmas season feels almost magical and mysterious, yet its tangible simply with the reminder that God is faithful to all His promises across centuries and generations.
 

The Christmas story is relatable.

Matthew’s genealogical list is not inconsequential. It shows the principle that people matter. There are over forty-nine people referenced. Ironically, there are many suspect characters in the genealogy of Jesus, not to mention five women which would have been unusual in Jewish genealogies. “If one searched the Old Testament for a more unlikely group of candidates for a messianic lineage, it is doubtful one could come up with a more questionable group.”[5]

Genealogies were like a resume to document a proper or noble descent.[6] But Jesus’ is telling.

Women

Mat 1:3 Tamar was a Canaanite who practiced immoral & deceptive behavior (Gen 38)

Mat 1:5 Rahab was a Jericho harlot (Josh 2)

Mat 1:5 Ruth was a Moabite widow (Ruth)

Mat 1:6 Bathsheba was wife of Uriah the Hittite, and though she was a victim of David’s abuse, she played a part in adultery, and later conspired for her son to become king (2Sam 11; 1 Ki 1:15,ff).

Men

Abraham, Jacob (often lied)

David (adulterer, murderer)

Jesus’ genealogy points to the type of Messiah and Savior He would be. The earthly family in which Jesus arrived is the family He anticipates for His heavenly kingdom.

Jesus’ genealogy points to the type of Messiah and Savior He would be. The earthly family in which Jesus arrived is the family He anticipates for His heavenly kingdom.

You see, God is the author of every story. And we can complain about past chapters of our life, or we can start writing new ones appropriate to the ending that is written in Jesus Christ. The Christmas story reminds us life has some adventurous cliff-hangers, a few dramatic pauses, and even some horror monsters. But the conclusion of the story is that grace is greater.  

• Jesus is a Savior for you, no matter your background or reputation.    
• Jesus is a Savior for the unlikely and those you think are either unwanted or useless.
• Jesus is for the downtrodden, the outcast and discarded, the oppressed and overloaded.
• Jesus is even a Savior for those who think they’re uninterested… He simply invites you to “Come and see.” Start where you are but don’t hesitate or withhold seeking God and studying Jesus. Ask and there will be answers. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.

And as followers of Jesus, we are called to “do the unexpected for the undeserving and watch God do the unbelievable.” (Charles Swindoll)

• If Jesus is the door, it is the church’s job to turn the knob, push the lever, open the entry, and shout invites for all to come.
• #WhosYour1

APPLY/THINK

And last, one cannot help but reflect on the faith that was passed to successive generations over the many years. This should remind the church that spiritual legacy in the home is crucial for disciple-making. “Our own families are the nearest mission field.”[7] Just as a family unit would be the recipient of the Son of God, so the family is to grow together to pass on faith to future generations.

Christmas is for growing godly generations in your family and through a church family.

• What is an action you can start as a family to put Christ in Christmas? more than trees & lights & dinner reservations… make plans to pray together / to read Advent & Scripture verses / to discuss spiritual goals & growth. Don’t be like a child fascinated with the unwrapped box… open the gift!

• How will you ensure that you are not an orphan in your Christian walk, but that you are connected to AND contributing to a church family?

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[1] Brief summary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustinian_hypothesis

[2] Michael J. Wilkins, Following the Master: A Biblical Theology of Discipleship (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992), 176.

[3] Blomberg, Craig L., Matthew, vol 22 of The New American Commentary, (Nashville: Broadman, 1992), 53.

[4] David Wenham & Steve Walton, Exploring the New Testament: A Guide to the Gospels & Acts, Vol 1 (Downers Grove, MI: IVP, 2001), 211.

[5] Mounce, Robert H, Matthew, vol. 1 of  New International Biblical Commentary, (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1991), 8.

[6] Craig S. Keener, The Bible Background Commentary NT, 46.

[7] Michael Horton, The Gospel Commission: Recovering God’s Strategy for Making Disciples (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 182.