2 of 12
Chad Karger
Christmas Day is day one of Christmastide or the Twelve Days of Christmas.
John says about Jesus's arrival, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). This Word is "the life and light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (1:4-5).
God is near. This is the steady refrain in Scripture. Instead of telling us how to get closer to God, Scripture is telling us that God is near to us, nearer than we imagined. That is most certainly where our celebration for the next twelve days begins.
Immanuel.
God is with us in the person and work of Jesus.
Starting today, I want to focus on different aspects of God's presence.
Today, God is faithful. We are fickle at heart, darting from thing to event to food to person looking for life. God has found us, in this frenzied state, like he found Adam and Eve, David, Ruth, Isaiah, and the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night!
God's faithfulness in and through Jesus awakens faith in our hear to take hold of God's grace.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)
I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:1-3, ESV)