You can also check out CBSM’s Top 5 Christmas Sermons/Studies at https://youthgrouptruth.com/2012/11/17/cbsms-top-5-christmas-sermons-and-studies/

I think its so easy for Christians to think, “Jesus was born? I got that. Jesus as God became man. I accept that. Jesus was born of a virgin? Sure, no problem. Jesus took on humanity. I believe that, too!” So what?! What difference does it make? How can I live that out with my life? I want these next few blog posts to explore how 5 different biblical characters responded in their lives to Jesus being born.

Let’s first take a look at Joseph. Matthew 1:18-25, “18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

Wouldn’t you love to know what Joseph was thinking? Remember, these teenagers (Joesph and Mary) didn’t have the Christmas story to read. It was all new for them. Here’s a little of how I like the think the conversation may have went. Mary: Joseph, we’re going to have a baby! Joseph: Who in the world is we?! We have never done anything close to conceive a baby! Mary, just be honest with me. What happened? Mary: Well, an angel visited me last night, and… Joseph: Wait! An angel? Just because you think he’s all “angelic” doesn’t make it okay! Mary: Joseph, God made me pregnant. Joesph: Mary, that’s just too far. You can’t just say “God made me do it.”

So of course, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph to deliver the message about Jesus’ birth. By the way, notice it was “an angel of the Lord and not “The angel of the Lord.” “The angel of the Lord” is always an appearance of the pre-incarnate Jesus. And Jesus announcing His own birth would just be weird. Anyways, notice how Joseph had already decided not to put her away, divorce from their betrothal, or have her stoned by OT Law…even before the angel came. Notice how God called Joseph a JUST man. Which means he was righteous. He wanted to do the right thing. Notice how he didn’t want to put her to shame. Which means he loved Mary deeply. They came from a town of probably about 100 people. They most likely knew each other well growing up. Who knows, Joseph may have had a crush on her since kindergarten. They could have been preschool sweethearts!

So here we go, Joseph responded to Jesus’ coming birth by being COUNTER-CULTURAL. It seems as if unjust men would have put Mary away quietly, divorced her, or even had her stoned. But Joseph believed God for the seemingly impossible. He loved Mary. He did what was most biblical because Jesus was to be born into his family!

So what can we do because of Jesus’ birth? We live counter-culturally! If we truly believe that Jesus has been born, then we live differently than the rest of the world. We live biblically. We live Christ-centeredly. Our decisions are from His wisdom. Our judgments are just. Our music is worshipful. Our conversations are loving. Our thoughts are pure. Our relationships are selfless. Our lives are for the glory of Jesus. Because Jesus has been born, we live less like the culture and more like our Christ who has come into our world for our salvation!

“SO WHAT If Jesus Was Born?” (Part 2): https://youthgrouptruth.com/2012/12/22/so-what-if-jesus-was-born-part-2/