Morning, December 25
Go To Evening Reading
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his
name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14
Let us today go down to Bethlehem, and in company with wondering shepherds
and adoring Magi, let us see him who was born King of the Jews, for
we by faith can claim an interest in him, and can sing, “ Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Jesus is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our brother
and friend; let us adore and admire. Let us notice at the very first
glance his miraculous conception . It was a thing unheard of before, and unparalleled since, that a
virgin should conceive and bear a Son. The first promise ran thus,
“ The seed of the woman ,” not the offspring of the man. Since venturous woman led the way in
the sin which brought forth Paradise lost, she, and she alone, ushers
in the Regainer of Paradise. Our Saviour, although truly man, was
as to his human nature the Holy One of God. Let us reverently bow
before the holy Child whose innocence restores to manhood its ancient
glory; and let us pray that he may be formed in us, the hope of glory.
Fail not to note his humble parentage . His mother has been described simply as “a virgin,” not a princess, or prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True
the blood of kings ran in her veins; nor was her mind a weak and untaught
one, for she could sing most sweetly a song of praise; but yet how
humble her position, how poor the man to whom she stood affianced,
and how miserable the accommodation afforded to the new-born King!
Immanuel , God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our
punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with him,
in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendour.