December 25 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Isaiah 7:10–17

Devotional

Today let us go down to Bethlehem and, in company with wondering shepherds and adoring Magi, let us see him who was born King of the Jews. For by faith we can claim an interest in him and sing, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given” (Isa 9:6). Jesus is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God and yet our brother and friend. Let us adore and admire.

At the very first glance, let us notice his miraculous conception. It was a thing unheard of before and unparalleled since that a virgin should conceive and bear a Son. The first gospel promise said “the seed of the woman” (Gen. 3:15), not the offspring of the man. Since venturous woman led the way into the sin that brought forth Paradise lost, she—and she alone—ushers in the Regainer of Paradise.

Our Saviour, although truly man, was as to his human nature the Holy One of God. Let us reverently bow before the holy Child whose innocence restores to mankind its ancient glory. And let us pray that he may be formed in us, the hope of glory. Don’t fail to note his humble pedigree. His mother is described simply as a “virgin,” not a princess, or prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True, the blood of kings did run in her veins. Nor was her mind a weak and untaught one, for she could sing most sweetly a song of praise. But yet how humble her position, how poor the man to whom she was betrothed, and how miserable the accommodation afforded to the new-born King!

Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us—or rather we with him—in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Coming splendour.

[Dec 25]

Extracted from C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (public domain), language modernized by Larry E. Wilson.