December 25

Morning

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. — Isa 7:14 BSB

Let us go to Bethlehem today, and along with the astonished shepherds and adoring wise men, let us behold Him who was born King of the Jews. For by faith, we can claim a personal share in Him and sing, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.”

Jesus is Jehovah incarnate—our Lord, our God, and yet our brother and friend. Let us bow in adoration and admiration!

Let us first notice His miraculous conception. This event was unheard of before and has never been repeated since—the miracle that a virgin conceived and bore a child. The promise was, “the seed of the woman,” not the offspring of a man. Since it was a woman who led the way in the sin that caused humanity to lose Paradise, it is only fitting that she, and she alone, ushers in the One who regains it. Though Jesus was truly human, His human nature was utterly holy—the Holy One of God. Let us bow in reverence before this holy Child, whose innocence restores the lost glory of humanity. Let us pray that He might be formed in us as the hope of glory.

Consider also His humble birth. His mother is described only as a virgin—not a princess or prophetess, nor a wealthy woman of influence. Though she had royal blood in her veins and a mind full of wisdom, singing praises to God with great beauty, her circumstances were humble. She was betrothed to a poor man, and the King of kings was born in the most modest and humble conditions. Immanuel, God with us, in our human nature, in our suffering, in our work, in our punishment, in our grave—and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and in His glorious return.

Evening

And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice. — Job 1:5 BSB

What the patriarch did early in the morning, after his family celebrations, it would be wise for believers to do before they rest tonight. In the midst of festive gatherings, it’s easy to fall into sinful lightheartedness and forget our identity as Christians.

It shouldn’t be this way, but often it is that our days of celebration are seldom days of sanctified enjoyment and too often slip into frivolous behavior. Yet, there is a kind of joy that is as pure and sanctifying as bathing in the rivers of Eden—holy gratitude can be just as cleansing as grief. Alas, our frail hearts often prove the truth that the house of mourning is better than the house of feasting.

Come, believer, in what ways have you sinned today? Have you forgotten your high calling? Have you been no different from others in idle talk and careless words? If so, confess your sin and run to the altar of sacrifice. It is the sacrifice that sanctifies. The precious blood of the Lamb that was slain removes our guilt and washes away the defilement of our careless and ignorant sins. This is the best way to close out a Christmas day—by washing anew in the cleansing fountain.

Believer, come continually to this sacrifice; if it is good tonight, it is good every night. To live near the altar is the privilege of the royal priesthood. For them, sin, though serious, is never cause for despair, because they draw near once again to the sin-atoning Savior, and their conscience is cleansed from dead works.

Gladly I close this festive day,
Grasping the altar’s hallowed horn;
My slips and faults are washed away,
The Lamb has all my trespass borne!