December 23 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 2:1–7

Bible Text:

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born.... She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger (Luke 2:6–7).

Devotional:

"While they were there," in Bethlehem, the city where David was born and raised, Jesus Christ was born.

At first glance it may seem that Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem on the whim of an emperor who chose this moment to conduct a census. It may seem that they just happened to make a three-day, tiring trek to Bethlehem late in Mary's pregnancy because a tyrant in Rome had demanded it.

Actually, the emperor's decisions were being directed by a still higher Force. Jesus was born in Bethlehem to fulfill the Scriptures (Micah 5:2). All events of the baby's life, death, and resurrection would take place "to fulfill the Scriptures."

His mother laid him in a manger. That's the only indication we have that he was born in a place that had a feeding trough for animals. "There was no room for them in the inn." By "inn" we should not think of modern motels (though "inn" is a word often used for motels). An inn was a stopping place for travelers or caravans. But there was no vacancy.

"No room in the inn" underlines the truth that the world did not welcome its Redeemer. Yet when he was about to leave the world, he said: "In my Father's house are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2).

Jesus did not try to get even: he was denied a bed at his coming to earth, but he promises us ample lodging in heaven.

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.