“… Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood …” Romans 3:22-25a
How are believers justified and counted righteous and acceptable in God’s eyes? It’s not by works of the law because all have broken God’s commandments and stand condemned under God’s law. Instead, believers are justified by God’s grace through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, which He shed on the cross to atone for the sins of all.
Have mercy upon me, O God, and graciously forgive my sins for the sake of the shed blood of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:15-16
The Bethlehem shepherds were not content just to hear the good news of their Savior’s birth from angels; they believed the angel’s message, went to see the newborn Christ Child, and found all just as the Lord had made known to them. They are an example to us, calling upon us to respond to the Christmas Gospel by searching the Scriptures and learning about Christ Jesus — who He is and what He has done to save us from sin and its curse.
Dear Lord Jesus, having heard of Your incarnation and birth, give me the desire to search for You in the pages of my Bible so that I might know You and Your redeeming work and look to You and Your cross for my salvation. Amen.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” Luke 2:13-14
Not only did the Bethlehem shepherds see the angel of the Lord and the glory of the Lord that shone from his presence, but suddenly, a multitude of angels appeared with him, praising God for sending the Son of God into the world as a baby born of a virgin mother to be the long-promised Savior of sinful mankind. They gave glory to God in the highest heavens for showing mercy to lost mankind and sending His only-begotten Son to atone for sin and restore peace between God and men for all who trust in Jesus, that holy child born in Bethlehem.
Glory be to Your name, O Lord, for graciously sending Your Son into the world to be my Savior and win for me forgiveness for all my sins and a place in Your everlasting kingdom. Grant that I place my faith in Christ Jesus and know the peace He won by His death on the cross for my sins. In Jesus, name, I pray. Amen.
“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10-11
The angel brought the shepherds good news of great joy for all people, for there was born on that first Christmas night, in Bethlehem, a Savior, the promised Messiah, the LORD God Himself in human flesh and blood, to redeem us from sin and death and restore to all who trust in Christ Jesus pardon and forgiveness and communion and fellowship with God our Maker.
O gracious God, thank You for the gift of the Son, born a humble Babe in Bethlehem that He might atone for our sins and make a way for us to be acceptable in Your sight — through faith in Him and His cross. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” Romans 3:21-22
Though the law of God reveals our sins and condemns us all, there is a way for us sinful human beings to be counted righteous and be acceptable in God’s sight. God tells us of this righteousness in the Bible. It is the righteousness of God He imputes to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross.
O gracious and merciful God, forgive my sins and count me righteous in Your eyes through faith in Christ Jesus, Your Son and my Savior. Amen.
