Christmas: We Can Learn From Joseph

This sermon explores the true meaning of Christmas through the lens of Joseph's response to God's call. Rather than focusing on external preparations like shopping and decorating, the message emphasizes three essential attitudes that make Christmas real in our lives: accepting God's will regardless of circumstances, caring genuinely for others, and giving sacrificially of ourselves. Joseph exemplifies these attitudes through his obedient faith when faced with Mary's unexpected pregnancy, his protective care for Mary and Jesus, and his willingness to give whatever God required of him. The sermon challenges believers to move beyond the commercialized "Christmas rush" to embrace the actual spirit of Christmas—God giving Himself to us through Jesus Christ, and our response of giving ourselves back to Him.

Key Points:

- Be ready to accept God's will, whatever it may be, even when circumstances don't make sense

- Trust God completely, recognizing that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts

- Learn to care genuinely about other people, especially fellow believers in the household of faith

- The church should be known as a people who truly care, demonstrating love through actions not just words

- Give sacrificially as God gave sacrificially—Christmas happened because God gave Himself

- The greatest gift is not material presents but the gift of love and the gift of ourselves

- True Christmas spirit means saying to God and others, "You can have my room, you can have my life"

- Charity (love) is not merely emotion but action—benevolence that gives and serves

- We must examine our attitudes, not just our activities, to be truly ready for Christmas

Scripture Reference:

- Matthew 1:18-25 (primary text—the birth of Jesus and Joseph's response)

- Leviticus 20:10 (law regarding adultery)

- John 8:3-11 (woman caught in adultery)

- Hebrews 11:6 (without faith it is impossible to please God)

- Isaiah 55:8-9 (God's ways are not our ways)

- Proverbs 3:5-6 (trust in the Lord with all your heart)

- Romans 8:28 (all things work together for good)

- Galatians 6:9-10 (do good to all, especially household of faith)

- 1 John 3:16-19 (lay down our lives for the brethren)

- Romans 12:1 (present your bodies a living sacrifice)

- Philippians 2:1-4 (care for one another)

- 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (members should care for one another)

- John 3:16 (God so loved the world that He gave)

- Matthew 1:23 (Emmanuel, God with us)

- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (the love chapter—charity)

Stories:

- The elementary school nativity scene where a boy asked, "Where does God fit in?" highlighting how Christmas activities can crowd out God

- The young couple with 18-month-old Eric who stopped at a truck stop on Christmas Day and encountered a ragged old man who was touched when allowed to hold their baby, receiving "the greatest Christmas present ever"

- Charles Wesley spending the night in a cell with prisoners scheduled to die, giving them the presence of Christ so they went to execution assured of salvation

- Wally, the 7th grade student with mental disabilities playing the innkeeper in a Christmas pageant, who forgot his lines but ultimately captured the true spirit of Christmas by offering Mary and Joseph his room, demonstrating sacrificial giving