“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.
“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:19-20
Though many believe they can be pleasing and acceptable to God by keeping His commandments, an honest look at our lives in the light of God’s Word reveals our utter sinfulness and inability to please God or be accepted by Him. The only way to be accepted and justified by God is through faith in Christ Jesus, God the Son, and His perfect obedience to God’s commandments and His innocent sufferings and death for our sins.
Your law shows my sins and failures, O Lord. It condemns me to death and hell. Grant that I hear and believe Your gospel promises of forgiveness and life eternal through faith alone in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for my sins. Amen.
“The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just.” Proverbs 3:33
Though most are blind to this truth, the curse and condemnation of the LORD rests on the house of those who do not fear, love, and trust in the LORD God who made them and redeemed them. But the blessing of the LORD is upon the house of those who repent of their sinful ways and look to God for mercy and forgiveness in Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
Grant that I repent of my evil ways, O LORD, and look to You for mercy in the atoning sacrifice of the Son, Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33
Jesus had just told His disciples of the persecution they would face for faithfully teaching His Word. As Jesus was hated and persecuted for calling upon all to repent and look to Him for forgiveness and life, His disciples would be persecuted for their witness regarding Jesus as the Son of God and the only way to be spared in God’s judgment. While it would be easy to shrink back and not confess our faith in Jesus, He promises to confess us as His own before the Father if we confess Him as our Savior and Lord, but He warns that He will deny us as His own if we deny Him as our Savior.
Dear Lord Jesus, grant me the courage to openly confess You as my God and Savior even when facing persecution for speaking the truth. Keep me from shrinking back and denying Your name. Amen.
