December 26 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Isaiah 9:1-7:

¹Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
²The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
³Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
⁴For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
⁵For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
⁶For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
⁷Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Devotional

"Unto us a child is born." That is nothing unusual that a child is born. Children are born every day. But this child is not an ordinary, but an extraordinary child; this is clear from the name by which he should be called. Also we must not overlook that the prophet says, "Unto us a son is given." A child is born, and a son is given. The child and the son have reference to the same person, and this person is the promised Redeemer, the Christ the Lord. Jesus Christ took on himself the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, and became a true man. He called himself "the son of Man." He was also the Son of God from all eternity. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. " "The government is upon his shoulder." All power is given unto him. "For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet."

His name is called "Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God." The Spirit of counsel and of might is upon him. He is wonder­ful in counsel. He guides me with his counsel, and afterwards receives me to glory.

He is also called the "Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace." He is the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. He and the Father are one. He also is the Prince of Peace. He is our peace.

"What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, our Lord!"

Prayer

Our Father, we must worship and adore Thee, when we contemplate the person and work of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thou hast given him unto us. We thank Thee for this unspeakable gift. He loved us and gave himself for us. Help us to praise his name now and for ever. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Luke 2:16; Isa. 7:14; John 1:14: 3:16; Matt. 28:18; 1 Cor. 15:25; Isa. 11:2; 28:29; Ps. 73:24; Titus 2:13; Eph. 2:14; John 16:33; Gal. 2:20.

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