In this week before Christmas, we see a flurry of activity. In the hustle and bustle, we can easily lose sight of the profound mystery we are to celebrate: God Himself entering our broken world to rescue us.
Centuries before Jesus’ miraculous birth, the prophet Isaiah declared a divine promise: “The Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 ESV)
“Immanuel” means "God with us."
On our own, we are lost and condemned to death by sin, separated from our God. We cannot save ourselves through our good works; we desperately need a Savior from outside ourselves.
This is where Jesus, our Savior, enters.
The angel Gabriel announced His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit to Mary, and Joseph was instructed in a dream: “She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 ESV)
"Jesus" means “The Lord saves” … a clear declaration of His divine mission.
Our Savior came to us as One who is both fully God and fully man, the only One capable of bearing the full weight of our sins and dying for them on the cross, all to offer us His free gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.
On that first Christmas Eve, the angels proclaimed to the shepherds: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 ESV)
Our Savior has come!
In Jesus Christ, we see God’s plan carried out. He did not come as a conquering hero, leading an army to establish an earthly kingdom. He came as a humble and lowly baby, laid in a lowly manger, to establish His Kingdom of Heaven.
His profound humility demonstrates God’s perfect, unconditional love for us. He is accessible to all who will believe.
How do we receive His perfect love? As Martin Luther said in his final words: “We are beggars. This is true.”
We are spiritual beggars and have nothing to offer. Our lives are meant to be lives of reception, because only after we receive God’s grace will we have anything worthwhile to give others. We receive His free gift of forgiveness without any merit or efforts of our own, and then we are to turn and abundantly love others this same way.
So, as you make your final preparations for Christmas, remember the richness of God's grace and mercy in sending His Son to be one of us, to live a perfect life for us, and die in our place.
He is the light in our darkness, the hope in our despair, and the certainty of our forgiveness. Receive His gifts this season.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 ESV)
Soli Deo Gloria!
(Published on the Devotional Page of the Alpine Avalanche Newspaper on Thurs, December 18, 2025)
Comments