Today we arrive at God’s fulfillment of all our longings. Life has come to conquer death. Light has arrived to overcome darkness. Love has come to conquer hate and fear. Immanuel has come to be with us.
As the truth of how Jesus came unfolds before us in today’s reading, we can marvel at the unprecedented, history-making miracles our God unfurled. These miracles were foretold first by prophets, and in the case of these readings, by two angels—both supernatural events in themselves.
The angel Gabriel declared three miracles to Mary. First, she would bear a child, despite being a virgin (Luke 1:31,34–35). Second, this child would be the King who would fulfill God’s promises to Israel and to David, whose kingdom has no end—He is the Son of God (vv.32–35). And third, Mary’s cousin who had always been childless had now conceived and was six months pregnant (v.36). He concluded with a pronouncement that sums it all up: “Nothing will be impossible with God” (v.37).
A second angel also expounded on the first two miracles to Mary’s betrothed, Joseph, interrupting his plans to quietly escape the sticky situation with his pregnant fiancé. “Don’t be afraid,” the angel commanded (Matthew 1:20). “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (v.21).
What a unique way to save the world. God fulfilled His ancient promise to rescue His people while satisfying the longings of a childless older couple and challenging two young people to entrust their lives to Him.
We can’t miss two other miracles that occurred here: Mary and Joseph each surrendered to God’s mysterious, unfathomable plan. After being deeply troubled at the angel’s greeting, Mary later erupted in praise to God for how He would deliver the world and bring justice, and for how He had favored her and allowed her to be part of His earth-shattering plan (Luke 1:46–55). While Joseph did not share a song of praise, he quietly obeyed the angel’s instruction to not break off his engagement and humbly surrendered to a life where stigma would surround his family and a son who would be his King forever.
Mary and Joseph’s embrace of Christ’s coming with praise and obedience is a most beautiful miracle, one we also have the privilege of partaking in as we respond to their story. Like them, we get to do the difficult things God has called us to. We say yes to His will, even when we don’t understand. And we walk through our dark seasons with hope. Why? Because Christ came for us. And when He did so, He sent us a helper (John 15:26–27). The Spirit works in us—strengthening us, humbling us, and teaching us joyful surrender until the day we are face to face with Him (Romans 8:26-27). Jesus’s coming led to our once-and-for-all salvation and our transformation from now until He comes again. What a miracle!
Blessed
Today’s devotional has been posted!
Merry Christmas all! I’ve never been able to figure out the app, where I can read the daily comments etc. but Jesus had blessed me today and I finally figured it out! I felt like I was missing out on a powerful part of studying with y’all and now I finally can!
Have the best day!
@Michelle Patire….Merry Christmas sweet girl. I’m praying for you right now. Sending you a tight hug!
Interceding**** but sure intercept the enemy’s throws lol
It is Christmas and I long for the joy Jesus promises. My heart is broken over Satan’s influence in my family’s life. Pleading and waring in the spirit, this morning. If you feel led, please continue intercepting for our family of 9. Merry Christmas, may the Lord be exalted over all of us.
✝️✝️✝️✝️
I’m just now reading, but I am praying for you and your family. May God bless each sibling, and may His Holy Spirit draw each one to Him. I pray that God will comfort your loving heart that hurts for your family.
MERRY CHRISTMAS sweet SHE’s! I was wondering what happened this morning and even got confused (happens to this old brain of mine). BUT, now see that TODAYs devo hasn’t posted. I’m going to do what Maria Baer did and not lot the enemy annoy me and go to HE READS TRUTH! Thank you Maria! I went to Christmas Eve service with my kids and was blessed at the very end when the pastor talked about doing our best to be Unhurried (I think we did a bible study like that before) and that word Unhurried spoke to me LOUD AND CLEAR. The service was at 2pm and I had to hurry and get as much done as possible before the service and was anxious during the service thinking about what I yet had to do when I got back home, then I STOPPED! After those words from the pastor, I KNEW I was where I was supposed to be, relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the service. MOST of all I’m SO grateful that both my kids (22 and almost 18 year old),CHOOSE to go to church and are like this church. Well…I better go to HRT, before everyone gets up. Feliz Navidad my dear SWEET SWEET She’s!
Merry Christmas SRT Family!! My church pastor said this yesterday, “Christmas is the beginning of the completion of the cross…God stooped down to earth, and Jesus, the Son of God, stooped to the cross.” The Bible is so full of Easter eggs foreshadowing Christ’s birth. He was born FOR US. He came at just the right time. The perfect time. God’s timing is perfect, and when he acts, it is overflowing with meaning. Even in the waiting and thousands of years before Christ, there were reflections of the coming Messiah. The Lord desired to dwell WITH his people.
Not in a tabernacle made by hands…the Holy Spirit would dwell in a different temple – their body. Immanuel, God with us. Who else is like him? What other God would desire to come down to his imperfect, sinful creation? To become LIKE us, and willingly suffer FOR us. What a kind, humble God we serve. He is so detailed and intentional. The Bread of Life, laid in a feeding trough. The Perfect Lamb, wrapped in swaddling clothes, to be the perfect sacrifice, made once, for ALL. May I share him, just like the shepherds. We are so blessed with having his inspired Word. How much more should we share the good news of not only his birth, but also his life, death, and resurrection! And we know know the story ends. One day we will step into heaven and see him face to face. May we glorify him with our lives now and push back darkness now. The Light of the World is with us. May we share his light, so that others will come to know him too. He alone is worthy of our praise. Glory to God in the highest!!