December 22 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

The Prince of Peace, the Son of David, was announced by Isaiah. The story of his coming was proclaimed by the evangelists, each with a different emphasis. Jesus made God's kingship real in this world. Today, the kingdom is here—and it is coming.

Bible Reading:

Luke 1:34–38

Bible Text:

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38).

Devotional:

All children are born from the union of man and woman. But Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit from the virgin Mary. Many people find that impossible to believe because it was a miraculous event caused by our wonder-working God.

Yet, in a way, God did prepare us for this miracle. His salvation work is marvelous and superhuman from start to finish. When God called Abram and Sarai to be the parents of "a great nation," they had no children. Sarah was barren (Gen. 11:30). And they didn't receive the child of the promise until there was absolutely no human possibility for his birth. Therefore they called him "Isaac," that is "laughter." Rejoice greatly!

The great news of the New Testament begins with one woman (Elizabeth) who is too old to become the mother of John the Baptizer. And another woman, a virgin, must be the mother of our Savior. With Sarah we say: "God has brought us laughter; everyone who hears this will laugh with us" (Gen. 21:6). And with Mary we bow in faith and adoration.

Mary's privileged position entitles her to our deep respect. And her humble faith deserves our imitation. "I am the Lord's servant." It's not what I think, but what God does that counts. Thus she offers herself as God's willing instrument.

Many Christians have rightly said, "Eve's unbelief destroyed us. But a new day dawned with Mary's faith."

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.