Dear Christian friends:

Glory to God in highest heaven, Who unto us His Son hath given" Amen! (read text)

Today we celebrate again the greatest event in all history, the birth of God's Son by the Virgin Mary. We find the record of this great event three times in our Bible: Matthew, Luke and John tell of it.

Luke writes almost two full chapters about the birth of Jesus. His is the most popular account. Martin Luther wrote sixty Christmas sermons mostly on Luke.

John writes only fourteen verses about the Word who became flesh and lived among us. Matthew writes one and one-half chapters. Matthew 1:1-17 lists the names of all the ancestors of Jesus beginning with Abraham.

In our text which I just read, and in Chapter Two he writes of the visit of the wise men from the east who saw the star and followed it to Bethlehem and worshipped the new born King.

Most of the time we preach from Luke or John's Christmas texts, not very often from Matthew. This Christmas day I want to celebrate Christmas with you by preaching from Matthews account.

Matthew too, helps us to believe that great and wonderful event. God wants us to consider also Matthew's Christmas account that's why it is here in the Bible.

Matthew says Mary was pregnant, "before they lived together." So Mary had a big problem. The problem of the unwed mother. I'm sure that all unwed mothers at Christmas time find much comfort and support when they read this Christmas account of Matthew.

Chaplain Mahnke told me that every Christmas when he preaches to the unwed mothers he uses this text. They are happy to hear that Mary suffered their shame also. Jesus is the Savior and helper of unwed mothers, too.

When we hear about an unwed mother, we ask who is the father? Joseph knew that he was not the father, so he planned to drop Mary or divorce her. Was some other man the father?

Some people who have no faith think so. People who have dirty minds and love to gossip and make trouble will say that. But Matthew says that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. So does Luke when he writes how the angel Gabriel come to Mary and told her that God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son.

Mary asked, "How can this be true? I'm not yet married to any man?" The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

Matthew here tells how God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream and told him, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

Then Matthew explains, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”

So Mary's baby is the Son of God our mighty Savior and helper. Tell the story of the artist who painted Christ on the cross with the words: "I did this for thee. What hast thou done for Me?" The landlady's daughter was asked by the artist who she thought it was. "It is a good man." Failure. "Is it a suffering man." Failure. "Is it the Lord." Success.

Yes, Jesus, Mary's baby lying in the manger is the Lord from heaven. Immanuel, God-with-us. If he is only a good man or a suffering man as many today say, He can't help us. If he is the Lord from heaven, God with us, then all are troubles are ended.

And that is what Matthew tells us also. He writes how the angel told Joseph, "Mary will have a Son, and you will call Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins."

Matthew wrote chiefly to Jews so he used the words, "His people", the Jewish people. But we know that Jesus is also Savior for the Gentiles. The wise men from the east were gentiles. Luke tells of the angel's words to the shepherds, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people."

But each one of us must accept Jesus Baby for our own personal Savior. The angel also said to the shepherds, "For you is born this day in the city of David a Savior." For you demands that each one himself confesses his sins and trusts in Jesus. Each one of us must say, "Jesus is my Savior." Jesus is my baby, not only Mary's. Mary's baby belongs to all people.

Mary only feeds Him and takes are of Him. But His birth, His life and His Work, and yes His death is for all of us.

Like Martin Luther let us this happy Christmas morning sing:

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled
Within our hearts, that they may be
All quiet chambers kept for thee.
(Ah, Dearest Jesus, Holy Child. Hymn)

Christmas Prayer

Oh almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, on this happy Christmas Day we worship and praise you with the angels and all the holy people in heaven and on earth. Thanks for the wonderful Gift of thy Son Jesus Christ. Help us to believe the good news as did Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men that we may find peace and joy and serve you today and in the New Year with glad hearts.

Amen