Some would think me fortunate to have drawn the Christmas week for devotionals. Piece of cake, right? Wrong. Everything that could be said about that first Christmas—the day Jesus was born in Bethlehem—has been told, retold and debated for two millenniums. Christians devoted to this blessed event along with skeptics who view the same crèche admit the main characters are always Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus surrounded by animals. An angel heralds the event to shepherds working in the fields who make their way to find the Christ child. Certainly not a great opening scene by today’s book-publishing expectations. But this is not the beginning of a story. It’s the focus of the prophet Isaiah, the culmination of the angelic annunciation to Mary that a child conceived of the Holy Spirit would bring eternal life to all. It is the unchangeable story of Christmas.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9:6, Holy Bible, King James).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, many babies have been born since the beginning of time, but you are the only one who brought the expectation of hope to all humanity. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore