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December 20, 2024 @ 8:00 AM
Today's Christmas Devotion
December 20, 2024
Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-5 & Micah 5:2
Bethlehem was a small country town of about 300 people. It was located six miles south of Jerusalem. It was the birth place of the great king David and the home of Ruth and Boaz. Its only other claim to fame was an ancient prophecy made by the Prophet Micah. Micah had predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
Incredibly, God used the ruler of the civilized world—Caesar Augustus—to bring about the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem. Although the Bible teaches that heavy taxation can destroy a nation (Proverbs 29:4 ESV), in this incident, it was used by God to fulfill the prophecy of the ...
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Mary’s visit to Elizabeth was undoubtedly made to confirm Mary’s faith in the angel’s annunciation of the birth of Christ (Luke 1:26-38). Remember, the angel informed Mary of her cousin’s miraculous conception—a conception in Elizabeth’s “old age”—as a proof of Mary’s miraculous conception—a conception wrought by the Holy Spirit that would result in the birth of God’s “holy” child. 
Mary’s initial consternation over her angelic visitor was quickly replaced with bewilderment over his announcement. How could she, a virgin, conceive and give birth to any child, let alone a Son who would be named “Jesus,” which means “THE SALVATION OF JEHOVAH”? In Mary’s mind, a son was out of the question, especially one who would be great, called the Son of the Highest, be given the throne of David, and reign over the house of Jacob forever. The angel had surely gotten the wrong address.
Introducing Jesus as “the Word” spoke volumes to the Jews of John’s day. The Jews believed that words were alive. Once spoken, they went forth to accomplish the purpose for which they were spoken. Thus, spoken words could not be recalled.
Introducing Jesus as “the Word” spoke volumes to the Greeks of John’s day. To the Greeks, the “Logos” (Word) was what made sense of it all. Famous as philosophers, the Greeks believed that meaning could be found in anything if only enough words were spoken over it.
There are numerous proofs of the Bible’s divine inspiration. I believe that John’s stroke of genius in introducing his Savior to the world as “the Word” is one of them. There is, at least in my mind, no other explanation for the introductory words of John’s gospel than a divinely inspired pen. How else can one explain this former Galilean fisherman’s penning of such timeless and universally understood words?
To further identify the child “called wonderful,” Isaiah informs us that He will also be called “The Prince of Peace.” Contrary to popular opinion, Christ did not come the first time to bring peace on earth. Instead, He came to bring a sword (Matthew 10:34). His coming has divided the whole world into saints and “ain’ts.” Even family members and friends find themselves on opposite sides of life’s most important issue—whether to receive or reject Jesus Christ as their Savior.
To further identify the child “called wonderful,” Isaiah informs us that He will also be called “The mighty God” and “The everlasting Father.” Here, like Thomas, we are forced to our knees by the Scripture to confess Christ as our Lord and our God (John 20:28).
To further identify the child “called wonderful,” Isaiah informs us that He will also be called “Counsellor.” All the counsel that humanity needs is provided by Him. This explains why the Apostle John identifies Christ as the “true light” who “gives light to everyone” in the world (John 1:9). His counsel is not only verbally expressed, but also exemplarily modeled; as the Apostle Peter puts it, Christ provided us with a perfect “example” so that we should “follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
To what should we attribute the prophet's predicted coming Light, along with all of its accompanying attributes? According to Isaiah, we should attribute it to the birth of a Child—“For unto us a child is born, [and] unto us a son is given.”