Devotional thoughts for Christmas

Walking in the Truth on Christmas Eve

Today's scripture

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned . . . for to us a child is born, to us a son is given . . . He will reign on David's throne & over His kingdom, establishing & upholding it with justice & righteousness from that time on & forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."  Isaiah 9:2, 6a, 7b

" . . . and [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths & placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, & they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.'"  Luke 2:7-12

A few devotional thoughts for Christmas

• Some of my ancestors, possibly some of yours, lived as "barbarians" ages ago in the forests & fields of Northern Europe. The image of "people walking in darkness," combined with the image of having "seen a great light," deeply resonates with me.
• "For unto us a child is born . . . " Foretold by the prophet Isaiah centuries before the birth of Christ--this prophecy evokes warm memories of children's Christmas programs . . . the Christmas Eve programs from my youth; my own children's Christmas program & more recently my grand-children's programs.
• It is the "zeal of the Lord Almighty" that will establish & uphold a Kingdom of justice & righteousness--certainly unlike any earthly & secular kingdom. These are words of great comfort as we view the wrecks of countless earthly civilizations throughout history & the failure of current kingdoms & governments to secure an early peace for us.
• The "zeal of the Almighty" led God the Father, in His almighty, transcendent wisdom, to choose a young, poor, humble virgin to give birth to the Messiah. You & I would have assumed a birth to a royal mother--a queen, not a peasant.
• We also would have assumed a royal birth in a royal castle in a royal city--not a humble birth in a nondescript village in a lowly animal shelter . . . "royal" infant surrounded by the stink of livestock & wrapped in whatever cloths were on hand.
• And we would have assumed a royal broadcast--a major proclamation throughout the land, throughout the nations! Angels are good . . . but the first announcement is made to unsavory shepherds in a dark Judean pasture, either very late at night or very, very early in the morning? Doesn't God understand how to do publicity?

Today's prayer thoughts

I recall the words from a favorite Christmas hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem, LSB #361, St. 3:

"How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n.
No ear may hear His coming; but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him, still
The dear Christ enters in."