Good morning everyone. We hope this message finds you blessed and well.
We had two wonderful Christmas services this week where we had special song service and drama followed by the song “Mary Did You Know” done in sign language, which ushered us into the day’s sermon of Christ and Christmas.
Christ is the true meaning of Christmas. I shared from the scriptures many prophecies that declare the proof of his forecoming, and I shared from the gospels the Christmas story, which leads me to my P.S that I left with you last week about Joseph and Matthew 1:16.
Let’s be clear, it appears that the Joseph of Genesis could have, at first, been thought of as the Joseph we see in Matthew, however further studies reveal that Joseph the dreamer died in the 1400s B.C. After many generations later, there appeared another Joseph who also had a father named Jacob, but he is not the same Jacob we see in Genesis whose name was changed to Israel by God.
Joseph from Genesis was a true and amazing follower of God in which God speaks to him and through him with dreams. The Joseph we see in Matthew, who was the father of Jesus, was merely a father figure appointed by God as we all know Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
However, the comparisons between the two Josephs are quite amazing. They both were highly favored by God, both diligent and obedient to the plan of God in which God used dreams in both of their lives. These two men were providential in God’s plan to save each of their families, and ultimately, the world through the birth of Jesus Christ.
Let us always remember that the meaning of Christmas is about Christ and his birth, a true sacrifice of love for mankind, and reminder of the plan of God to save you, your family and all who will believe on him and follow him.
In closing, we are very thankful to have spent time in fellowship, and the food was wonderful. As pastors, we feel very grateful for a beautiful church, the beautiful souls of our people, the gift of love we received and the goodness shown to our family.
May each of you welcome Christ into your home this Christmas and feel his love throughout this holiday season. From our home to yours, God bless you all and Merry Christmas!
The Haas Family
