And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” – Luke 2:6-14

The time has come! The Long-Awaited One is here! “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Jesus is born. He is our one true King, Who rules over all and rights every wrong. He is our one true Priest, Who reconciles us back to God and saves us from our sins. He is our one true Prophet, Who tells us God’s word, and is Himself the Word of God. Jesus is here! And He has fulfilled all that God promised.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus today, don’t forget why He came. Jesus came for you! He was born on this Christmas Day because of His great, relentless love for you. He came to fix what we destroyed at the fall. He came to heal you, save you, rescue you. He lived the life you should have lived. He died the death you should have died. Jesus has done it all.

The most beautiful proclamation of Christmas is that Jesus came to open the way to heaven for you. Because of Jesus, each one of us is invited to come to God, not on the basis of our own righteousness, but on the basis of the righteousness of Jesus. Despite our sin and brokenness, we can experience the joy and pleasure of being reconciled to the Creator.

The birth of Jesus is a loud proclamation from God that we are welcomed home!

Trust in Him this Christmas Day. Let your heart rejoice in this good news. Fear not, your Savior has come!

Meditate: Let this Christmas be an invitation from God Himself to enjoy Jesus, our Savior. Don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Remember that Jesus was born so that He could die for you. Remember that Christmas is a reminder of both our brokenness and of God’s love for broken people. You have every reason to celebrate! You have been brought back home to God!

Prayer: Jesus, you are the resurrection and the life! Though my days on earth are confusing and often painful, my hope for life rests beyond what I can see. The day is coming when You will make all things new, and until that day comes, I long for Your kingdom with hope. Come and bring life, come and bring healing, come and bring resurrection to those moments in my earthly experience when death seems close. Help me to trust in Your nearness and goodness, even when I can’t see the work of Your hand, Jesus. Amen.