​Following is a recording of the Christmas Eve Service at our church. Let me warn you -- it is a bit chaotic but if you dare to listen you'll hear lots of laughter, a bit of off-key singing (that's me); some great hymns and Shannon preaching. I didn't take any notes this time. Hope you all had a lovely Christmas.

Great sermon!

(I want to bring up a controversial point Shannon makes. Shannon mention's that Mary was not in the line of David. This is debated strongly in the church for the geneology in Luke is different, yet this belief is based in church tradition. You decide. Click here to read about it. Or do your own research.)

Notes to follow:

Matthew 1:18-25 is the text (Joseph's perspective)

If Mary had been divorced she had two options: to be a servant or a prostitute. She would have been kicked out of the family. Joseph could have had her stoned.

Kind of cool -- He gets a dream. Historical Joseph (from Old Testament) also heard from God through dreams.

Joseph had a great reputation (back to Jesus' stepdad). Would never have had premarital sex. There were consequences for him too to accept the call of being Jesus' stepdad. He lost his good reputation. He very likely was shunned from the family.

People assumed he was the father. He was on his own. He was kicked out and didn't take the tools -- rough start to a marriage. Distant relatives wouldn't have supported them either. The young couple was on their own. 

They stayed for a while in Bethlehem. Trying to get a business started. Might have lived off of Magis' gifts. Got another dream to flee.

Joseph saved Mary and Joseph from death. He was their protector.

Geneology -- fulfillment of prophecy (Jane's side note: I believe Jesus was adopted into the line of David. This shows how incredibly beautiful and real and permanent adoption is. God sees it as strong a bond as a biological claim -- also God didn't bring the Messiah as people assumed. We can never put Him in a box.)

When Joseph names Jesus that is an official adoption. He was in the line of David. He then got all the rights of the heir.

This is the Son of God. 

Joseph was obedient, faithful, trusting of God.

No one ever forgot that Jesus was supposedly illegitimate.

They returned to their hometown. They knew how they would be treated.

Joseph taught Jesus his trade. Joseph must have been around long enough to father several children and to teach Jesus. 

We can look at Joseph's actions to know what kind of man he was. A simple man, not a rich man. A laborer, a man who worked with his hands; honest, righteous; a good man. He follows the will of God. He loved Mary. He persevered. He was strong. They lived in Egypt with the anticipation of returning to Israel. 

When Joseph was raising the Son of God imagine the pressure; the fears of messing up.

It's a blessing to be chosen, but also a burden.

Jesus is the Son of God. And Mary and Joseph knew this. Joseph didn't get to see Jesus's ministry, the miracles, the ending. Joseph lived in faith. 

God chose me. God chose you.

What are we going to do with it?

Joseph didn't live the life he thought he would. He had done all the right things to have a good reputation. And then it was destroyed when he said yes to God.

God gives us turns in life we can't anticipate. God, what next? Ask God -- what next? 

Simple, true faith. He loved. He followed.  

May we do the same.

This is the second sermon in the series Shannon is doing on people involved in the first Christmas.

Like I have recently I will share my notes in this blog before I post the recording. For those who live near Dupree, we will have our Christmas Program Service Sunday, Dec. 18 starting at 10 a.m. There will be refreshments afterwards. And there will be a Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve. 

Now onto the notes:

Lights are unique to Christmas.

It's exciting to celebrate a new event at Christmas.

Luke 2:21 -- 38

Preparation for Christmas!

Simeon and Anna had been anticipating Christ's arrival for decades.

Once Simeon saw Jesus he could have walked away -- instead he rejoiced, worshipped God and prophesied.

He prophesies Jesus is not just the Savior for Israel. He is also the Savior for the Gentiles.

At this time:

Rome was occupying Israel (and not nice about it).

Evil Herod was the king.

"A sword will pierce your own soul" Luke 2:35a

(Israel had been praying for the Messiah but they missed him because He didn't come as they thought He would. Do we miss God because He doesn't answer prayers the way we wanted Him too? Do we miss the answers?,,,,these are my thoughts while my mind wandered)

Consolation= to console, to comfort.

Jesus was the promised Comforter!

Anna -- spends all her time fasting and praying, A real prayer warrior. Prayer warriors in the church are often there all the time and become almost invisible, not noticed by others. People probably no longer noticed Anna, the old lady, at the temple. 

Redemption = brought out of slavery. You can't redeem yourself. Another person/party must redeen you.

"And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God" 

The quiet one got LOUD!

That kind of anticipation:

#1 Celebration of Jesus' birth.

#2 Anticipation of His return, the second coming!  Possibly be like Anna in anticipation of the 2nd coming.

So many lost. Time will be up. Every knee will bow (Romans 4:11).

Psalm 103:1-5

​Anticipating the future. That is our hope!