×

The Unfettered Joy of Christmas Day

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Luke 2:11 (NLT)

     Lord Jesus, today we joyfully celebrate the day angels “harked,” shepherds ran, and Mary treasured. Advent is over; Christmas is here. You have come to us, for us. For God so loved the world, he gave you—blessed Savior, Christ and Lord.

We praise you for being born in Bethlehem, the “house of bread.” We were a famished people—filling ourselves at empty buffets, spending money “for that which is not bread” (Isa. 55:2). But you came as the Bread of Life, and now we freely dine at the banqueting table of your welcome and grace. Our hearts are filled with unfettered gratitude.

Indeed, how fitting that you entered our world in the city of David, Israel’s beloved shepherd-king. For what King David could never be, you’ve become for us—the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. And now you perpetually care for us, with relentless tenderness and unwavering kindness. There is no other Savior like you; there is no other Savior but you.

We worship you with irrepressible delight, for you are the long-time promised and much longed for Christ—the Messiah. Every promise God has made finds its fulfillment—its unequivocal and irrevocable “Yes!” in you. You are the resolve for all our fears and the answer to all our hopes.

We bow before you in joyful adoration, for you are the Lord of Lords, very God of very God—presently reigning over everything and working in all things for our good. You are the ruler of the kings of the earth—setting them up and sitting them down at your sovereign discretion. Only your kingdom is unshakable and everlasting. Of the increase of your government and peace, there will be no end.

Jesus, as we celebrate your 1st Advent, our passion for your 2nd Advent is intensified. We long for the Day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that you are, indeed, Lord, to the glory of God the Father—the Day when every tear will be wiped, everything sad will come untrue—the Day when all things broken will be all things new. So very Amen we pray, in your magnificent and merciful name.

 

 

LOAD MORE
Loading