Christmas Is All About God’s Plan – By Nonie Sables

 When we think of Christmas, images of twinkling lights, decorated trees, and festive gatherings often come to mind. While these traditions warm our hearts and bring us together, they can sometimes overshadow the deeper truth of what Christmas truly represents: God’s masterful plan to redeem humanity.

In Matthew 1:18-25, we find the heart of Christmas—the unveiling of God’s divine purpose. Through the miraculous birth of Jesus, God demonstrates His sovereignty, His faithfulness, and His invitation for us to trust and obey His plan.

God’s Plan Is Sovereign

Have you ever faced a moment in life when everything seemed to spiral out of control? Mary and Joseph surely did. A young woman pledged to be married suddenly finds herself pregnant—not by human means but by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, a righteous man, considers quietly ending their engagement to spare Mary public shame.

But this was no random disruption. It was the sovereign work of God. The angel’s message to Joseph in a dream revealed the truth: “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20).

God was not improvising; He was fulfilling a plan set in motion before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Christmas reminds us that even when life seems chaotic, God is always in control, working for His glory and our good.

God’s Plan Is Fulfilled in Jesus

The angel’s message continued with a declaration of purpose: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Here lies the crux of God’s plan: salvation. Jesus did not come to be a political leader or a cultural icon. He came as the Savior, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Matthew emphasizes that this event fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (Matthew 1:23, cf. Isaiah 7:14). Immanuel means “God with us.” In Jesus, God stepped into our broken world, bridging the gap between heaven and earth.

This fulfillment of prophecy is not just a historical fact; it is a personal invitation. Christmas is God’s way of saying, “I see you; I love you, and I have made a way for you to be reconciled to Me.”

God’s Plan Invites Obedience

When Joseph woke up from the angelic dream, he did not delay. He obeyed immediately, taking Mary as his wife and naming the child Jesus, just as he was instructed (Matthew 1:24-25).

Joseph’s obedience was not without cost. He faced gossip, judgment, and misunderstanding. Yet his faithfulness became a vital part of God’s redemptive story.

Christmas calls us to a similar response. It invites us to trust God’s plan, even when it challenges our understanding or disrupts our expectations. Like Joseph, we are called to walk in faith, knowing that obedience to God brings blessings far greater than anything we could achieve on our own.

Why God’s Plan Matters This Christmas

In a world filled with uncertainty, Christmas reminds us that God’s plan is unshakable. The birth of Jesus assures us that:

1.      God is in control: His sovereignty is unwavering, even during life’s storms.

2.      God keeps His promises: Just as He fulfilled His word through Jesus, He will remain faithful to His promises for us.

3.      God’s love is personal: He did not send a messenger; He came Himself, as Immanuel, to save us.

This Christmas lets us go beyond the surface-level celebrations. Let us pause and marvel at the beauty of God’s plan—a plan that began in eternity past, unfolded in a manger in Bethlehem, and continues in the hearts of all who believe in Jesus.

A Call to Action

As you celebrate this Christmas, ask yourself:

• Do I trust God’s plan for my life, even when it seems unclear?
• Have I embraced Jesus as my Savior, the fulfillment of God’s promise?
• How can I reflect on the joy of this plan to those around me?

Christmas is not just a holiday; it is an invitation to step into the wonder of God’s sovereign, redemptive plan. Let us celebrate not only the birth of Jesus but also the hope and salvation He brings.

This Christmas, may your heart be filled with awe and gratitude, knowing that you are part of God’s plan—a plan that is perfect, unchanging, and centered on His incredible love for you.

Merry Christmas and may the truth of Immanuel—God with us—transform your life this season.