December 20th, 2023
by Erica Lavallee
by Erica Lavallee
Christmas is so much more beautiful when we celebrate and remember why Jesus came. Hallelujah! He has come to save us from sin and restore us to the Father. Here is a little devotional from Alistair Beggs that shares on this.
THE CHRISTMAS SERVANT
THE CHRISTMAS SERVANT
“I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” ISAIAH 42:6-7 (ESV)
At Christmas, many of us feel tremendously cozy as we think about the familiar Nativity story. Filled with all kinds of sentimentalism, it is entirely possible for us to completely disengage from the whole panorama of God’s purpose: to allow familiarity with the scene to blind us to the awe-inspiring truth that as we look at the baby in a Bethlehem manger, we are looking in on the Servant of God.
This Servant, Jesus, had a mission. Even Mary and Joseph had only an inkling about all He would accomplish—yet hundreds of years before Jesus arrived, God had announced what He would do to fulfill His purpose (Isaiah 42:1-4).
Jesus came to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. During His earthly ministry, He gave a wonderful illustration of this by granting physical healing to the blind. The greatest issue, however, concerned not the body but the soul. He came to open the eyes of men and women who were blind to God’s truth.
The Servant also came to free captives from prison. Many of us have felt the captivity of our guilt, trying countless hoped-for solutions to wash it all away. But nothing works except Jesus. He breaks our chains and sets us free. Once slaves of sin, we have now been rescued. Our Savior releases from the dungeon those who sit in darkness, if only they see His light.
The story of the Servant is a story not about what we must do, but about what Jesus has done. He came down into the dungeon, into our enslavement, into our blindness, and said, You’ve failed and broken the law, and you are entirely unable to rectify your condition. But I save sinners. I open blind eyes. I release captives. I bring light. I have done everything required for you. Turn to Me in simple faith and childlike trust and you will see. You will be free, and your darkness will give way to sunshine.
The one who has done all this is the one you are gazing at as you consider that familiar Nativity scene. Never let it fail to move and inspire you to praise and worship of the divine Son, who came as our Servant.
How is God calling me to think differently?
How is God reordering my heart’s affections—what I love?
What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?
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6 Comments
Thank you for the devotion Erica really needed this morning. Still trying to understand things.
Thank you for the devo IT is good to remember Christmas has it was long ago that was Christmas but today it is all about the gift and not about Jesus when we have Jesus in our life we have love for each other because we have Jesus were are looking ahead to help other and obey our Lord and savior and waiting for His return. Have a great day. Love you
Hi its like the song says I was blind but now I see.I sure was in the darkness wow but with Gods Grace I am in the light.Keeping my eyes on Him.For 2023 was a hard year for me but I ve grown mature learn alot.So 2024 will be a healing time.I love you all praying ...I love my church God continue to set me free.
I was thinking I aint in the awe christmas...I love it with my little family lots of love and Peace but I should be happy about Jesus I am missing it....am I the only one...I do love Jesus alot.
Thanks .sometimes it's hard to slow down and really think about what we are celebrating .
Thanks Erica! Christmas is all about Jesus. What he has done for us. It is family, fellowship, been around a table with people we love. It's not about gifts for me anymore. Have a great day. â¤ï¸