MAJESTY AND MERCY Christmas is rooted in history, anchored in God’s plan, and focused on one amazing Person – Jesus Christ. :1-17

Matthew 1:1

1 The book of the Christ, the Son of , the Son of . . . Matthew 1:16-17

16 And begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.

2 Samuel 7:12-14

12 When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son . . . Psalm 89:3-4

3 I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: 4 Your seed I will establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations.

Genesis 12:2-3

2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Matthew 1:2-3

2 Abraham begot , Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot and his brothers. 3 Judah begot and Zerah by Tamar . . .

Matthew 1:3-6

3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot . 4 Ram begot Amminidab, begot , and Nahshon begot . 5 Salmon begot by Rahab, Boaz begot by Ruth, Obed begot , 6 and Jesse begot David the King. David the king begot by her who had been the wife of Uriah.

Matthew 1:2

2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.

[Father] begot [son], [then he] begot [son], [then he] begot [son], etc. Matthew 1:3

3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram.

[Father] begot [son] through [this woman]. Matthew 1:5-6

5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the King. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Matthew 1:16

16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. Matthew 1:16

16 Jacob fathered Joseph, the husband of Mary. From her was fathered Jesus, the One being called Christ. Joseph is Mary’s husband but he’s not Jesus’ father, though he gives Jesus legal right to the throne of David. Jesus - this One being called Christ - was fathered through Mary in a different way. • Focus on the facts, not the fiction, surrounding Christmas. • Focus on the facts, not the fiction, surrounding Christmas.

• Be amazed that Jesus came from majesty. • Focus on the facts, not the fiction, surrounding Christmas.

• Be amazed that Jesus came from majesty.

• Be encouraged that Jesus comes with mercy.