Mary gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
Luke 2:6-7 (nlt)

So Jesus, the Messiah, the promised one, finally arrives. After all the grand prophecies, the great titles bestowed on him, it is a quiet and inauspicious birth. And yet, his life would change the world forever.

Thank you for waiting with us. Happy Christmas!

We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created.
Colossians 1:15 (msg)

The word firstborn is used in the Old Testament to designate ‘the one that was entrusted with the heritage’ – usually, but not necessarily, the eldest son. Christ is entrusted with the heritage of the world – the world as God intended it to be – the world as it will be.

Praise God for revealing himself to us in Jesus.

The Apostle Paul said: In Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.
Colossians 2:9 (nlt)

Jesus’ birth challenges our perception of the relationship between God and the world. The two tend to be perceived as separate spheres, God creating the world and intervened only occasionally, in blessing or judgment. In the Old Testament, God’s revelation is terrifying. Jesus is a new revelation of God, God dressed in a way that the world is able to see him and accept him – a God we can see, hear, and walk alongside.

Thank God for Immanuel, God with us.

The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us.
John 1:14 (cev)

There is no description of the early years of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Instead John presents a slightly different story – the story of the Word that was God, and that finally became a human being and lived here with us. In Christ we can see God’s glory and experience His grace.

Thank God for his kindness, shown to us in Jesus.

All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home… He took with him Mary, his fiancée.
Luke 2:4-5 (nlt)

Christmas tells the story of people who had to leave their home in order to carry out a census law. Nowadays the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem would take just a few hours, but then it was a considerable journey. Jesus is born far from his family home, and most of the events described later in the gospels took place during his travels around Galilee and Judea.

Where are you going this Christmas?

The prophet Micah said: “Bethlehem… you are one of the smallest towns in the nation of Judah. But the LORD will choose one of your people to rule the nation – someone whose family goes back to ancient times.”
Micah 5:2 (cev)

Herod was alarmed by the wise men travelling to honour a new king. He gathered his scribes together to learn something more about the Messiah, and the scholars responded with this quote from Micah. (see Matthew 2:3-6). ‘So, where is this Bethlehem?’ Herod asks of this obscure little place known so well to us now through the Christmas story.

Praise God that he chooses the unlikely and the overlooked.

Wise men travelled to see the baby Jesus, guided by a star: When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshipped him.
Matthew 2:10-11(nlt)

The gospels are full of surprising moments. Falling down before a king was a common way of giving honour in the ancient East. Here three affluent and noble foreign guests arrive. First they visit the ruling king in Jerusalem, but then they fall down before the baby. There’s more to this child than meets the eye.

How will you worship Jesus today?

Simeon prophesied about Jesus: “This child will be rejected by many… But he will be the greatest joy to many others.”
Luke 2:34 (nlt)

Simeon holds the little baby in his arms. We can imagine him looking at the gentle face, the baby’s smile, little hands and feet. Yet this baby will eventually become an adult, a brave man who will cause controversy and debate. Those considered important and spiritual will be found opposing God, while others thought of as sinners will discover God’s concern for them.

Pray for someone you know who has rejected Jesus, that they would find their joy in him.

When a man named Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms, he said: “I have seen the Saviour you have given to all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations.”
Luke 2:30-32 (nlt)

The story of the Old Testament is primarily the story of a relationship between God and His Chosen Nation. The baby that Simeon holds in his arms will bring a break-through in that divine-human relationship. Through his light everyone on earth will be able to see God.

Pray for Christians in every nation to reflect the light of Christ.

Isaiah said: “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.”
Isaiah 42:1 (nlt)

Isaiah’s prophecy was written at a time when the Israelites faced many challenges as a nation. God points to his servant, a vision of one who will bring justice to the nations – to everyone living on earth. God sees evil and injustice far more clearly than we do.

Pray for someone who is in need of justice today.