Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

A child is born to us

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Isaiah 9:2, 6
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned ... 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, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Titus 2:11
Beloved, the grace of God has appeared, saving all ...

Luke 2:3-7
All went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

A month ago I officiated at a wedding in the neo-natal unit at Carle Hospital. The baby weighed two pounds eight ounces and was quiet under the incubator light while his parents were married. The nurses got together some flowers and some music and took pictures for posterity. None of the nurses had been to a wedding like this. It was a first for me too. We all loved it.

Last night while we were preparing our Christmas Eve feast, five guys in black boots and rain suits came to our back door. They were from Ameren Power, here to fix our low-hanging electric supply line. A big branch felt on it during the ice storm two days ago.

One of them pointed his flashlight up the wall and saw the problem. "We'll get that fixed," he said.

"Tonight?" I said, a little incredulous. It was six p.m. on Christmas Eve. In the morning I had talked to a nice lady from Ameren who told me to get my part of the line fixed, and then call back. In the afternoon I talked with my friend Ron, who outlined the procedures I should go through. It sounded complicated enough that I wondered if we could postpone the repair till spring. I wondered how much more than our $500 insurance deductible it would cost.

"Yep, we'll get it tonight." It was icy and wet outside. The temperature was dropping, it was getting windy. The moon was a tiny sliver in the sky.

An hour later, the work was done. We'd gotten together some Christmas candy and cookies for them, but they disappeared into the night before I knew they were gone. Not for one moment had they interrupted our power.

Now, even though they acted the part, I know they weren't angels. But I can certainly see them as merry gentlemen. At our Christmas Eve service we sang "God rest ye..." during the shepherd's part of the story.

Jesus was born on a night like last night, with no warm lights to keep him warm. His parents stood before the manger wondering what would happen next. Nothing like this had ever happened to them, and they were amazed. The shepherds came and fell on their knees, and everyone worshipped.

God ... who had come to earth. This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Merry Christmas.

God rest ye, merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day, to save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, o tidings of comfort and joy.

Devotions Archive

A child is born to us

Thursday, December 25, 2008