After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews?”Matthew 2:1–2 NET The Wizards of Babylon had been certain they would find the king of the Jews in Jerusalem. They anticipated …
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.ISAIAH 53:5 NIV Our Christmas season is filled with many special traditions we enjoy together as a family. Decorations fill our home, Christmas movies play on repeat, …
But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, …
“This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35 NLT Roman soldiers were patrolling the streets of …
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Isaiah 9:6 ESV Only a fool prefers war to peace. And yet, our world remains marked by what seems to be an unending stream of conflict—national, social, and personal. Such tedious sets of circumstances can weigh down even the sturdiest among …
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”JOHN 16:33 NIV This was going to be a very different Christmas. It was December 8, 1941—just one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. President Roosevelt with full congressional support declared war against Japan even as its Imperial army stormed …
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.Philippians 2:8 NASB Power is an interesting attribute. Often in our world, power is used in ways that are designed to underscore the one who holds it. However, Philippians 2:5–11 shows that this …
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.JOHN 1:14 NIV Divine attributes, like human characteristics, can be vague, abstract concepts. If, for example, I say that I love my wife, …
“Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel, nor cry out; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A battered reed He will not break off, and …
“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”LUKE 2:12 NASB Steve Brown tells a story about the ugliest car he had ever seen. It had a large gash down one side; one of the doors was barely hanging on with bailing wire; large …
“These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.”Revelation 3:14 NIV Think of the ways Jesus is portrayed in Christmas greetings mailed this time of year. Baby Jesus sleeps in a manger. Mary cuddles Him in her arms. Donkeys and sheep huddle around Him. These common images …
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”Revelation 4:11 NIV Each Christmas my parents gave my four siblings and me gifts that we’d use to create something. A cross stitch kit, a model …
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.JOHN 1:4 NASB John begins his narrative with an apostolic testimony concerning Jesus, his intent in writing being rooted in an intense desire to make known the person, claims, and accomplishments of the man he met one day on the northern shore of the …
“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”Matthew 1:21 NASB When I was 12, I scraped together every cent to purchase a small, discounted, used motorcycle. What a buy! My internal mechanic ripped it apart in order to rebuild it. Following a …
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I …
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV Before kids have consumed their Halloween candy, stores launch their Christmas hype, hoping to arouse your gift-giving appetite. Where did gift-giving originate anyway? Historians suggest that in the fourth century Roman world, Christian leaders created a winter festival to celebrate Jesus’s birth. Gift-giving symbolized …
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”REVELATION 5:12 NIV In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John gives us a peek at the thousands and thousands of angels surrounding the throne of God and praising the worthiness of Jesus Christ, …
But [Jesus] emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form.Philippians 2:7 NRSV We naturally desire control and security. Unfortunately, our lives often involve uncontrollable chaos. This chaos is intensified at this time of year. Whether it be family issues, finances, or other concerns, we …
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”Revelation 22:13 NIV When little children act out the Nativity scene, we are usually content to let them pass around a plastic baby Jesus. A real human infant? Well, that’s a bit too dangerous. The mystery of our Lord’s …
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. … For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things.COLOSSIANS 1:15, 19–20 NIV When the eternal Son of God took on flesh and blood, He became the miraculous mirror …
Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down … to make Your name known to Your adversaries, that the nations might tremble at Your presence!ISAIAH 64:1–2 NASB In May 1996, the Hale-Bopp comet burst through the clouds and into the Northern Celestial Hemisphere and the newly born Internet was awash with excitement. This …
“From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.”ACTS 13:23 NIV A perpetual college football powerhouse, the University of Michigan Wolverines have built a culture of champions on the gridiron. One season, the coaching staff all took note of a unique athlete on the team who carried himself in …
“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.”Isaiah 42:1 NASB It’s hard to imagine what our world would be like if it were ruled in complete righteousness. Is such a thing even possible? Could …
Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am.”John 4:26 NIV It’s the middle of the day in the Near East. Jesus has walked all morning with His disciples, and they’ve worked up an appetite. So, while the twelve go off to buy bread, Jesus rests at Jacob’s well. And there He meets a …
Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” Exodus 33:18And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NASB The revelation of God’s glory moves from one level of understanding to a whole …
