Although the world is full of people who look forward to celebrating Christmas, that does not mean that they all are Christians. For many it is not Christ's coming into our flesh that interests them. They are interested in one whom they call Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas, or merely in worldly gifts. It is not the gift that Christ brought us that interests them. Rather, it is the lust of the flesh, of the eyes, and of the pride of life that fills them with joy on Christmas Day.
As Christians, however, we should, from now until the day the believers celebrate Christmas, consider more deeply what He earned for us and presents to us in God's grace. To prepare us for that day, and to deepen our appreciation of what He did and does for us, we should listen to what our God gave us through Isaiah and the other Old Testament prophets.
Today let us note this glorious truth: "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins" (Isaiah 40:1 ,2).
Let us note first of all that Christmas is a day of blessedness only for God's children, for believers to whom He gives a new spiritual life. Let us also take note of the fact that it is not a day wherein we are to celebrate what men give unto us, but a day to rejoice with thanksgiving in what God gives us through His Son; and what He TOOK AWAY from us, namely our guilt and unholiness!
By all means have that wonderful gift and work of God before your mind now, as we approach the day of Christ's birth, but also on that day when we celebrate His coming in our flesh for our salvation. Salvation is a most wonderful gift of God's grace. We are going to lose every gift that man gives unto us; but rejoice in God's everlasting gift of love, mercy, and grace.
Read: Isaiah 40:1-8
Daily Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Daniel 8:1-27
1 John 2:1-17
Psalm 120:1-7
Proverbs 28:25-26
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Quote for Reflection:
" ...Experience is ... said to be the mistress of fools because those are fools that will not learn till they are taught by experience, and particularly till they are taught the danger of associating with wicked people ... See how pernicious a thing it is to join in friendship and society with evil-doers. It is a hard matter to break off from it. A man may much better keep himself from being taken in the snare than recover himself out of it." --Matthew Henry on Jehoshaphat
Additional Info
- Date: 1-December
