Based on Martin Luther College’s
“The Twelve Days of Christmas Devotions”
December 25
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15
Look with eyes of faith upon the indescribable scene surrounding the
indescribable gift [of God laying in the manager]. [If you look with eyes of faith
you will see that] more than shepherds surround the feed trough. More than Mary
and Joseph humbly bow their heads and hearts at the indescribable miracle before
them. [Look upon this Nativity Scene with eyes of faith, which have been given to
you by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and see the history unfolding before us in
the City of David, Bethlehem.]
[If you look with eyes of faith you will see countless souls, the people of
God from every time a`nd every place, joining you and the whole church of God at
the manager this day.] Led by the Spirit through the Gospel, believers kneel with
you before the Gift [Who sleeps in the manager.] God the Father has kept His
Word. [He has fulfilled His promises.] His Son has come. [Look with eyes of faith
upon this Child and you will see the indescribable Gift. God incarnate, lowly and
harmless.] “Do not be afraid; for behold . . . . good news of great joy which will
be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for
you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Look in faith upon this Child, Whose mother remains a virgin bride. See
there in the manager the Virgin-Born, the lowly infant with no crib for a bed. Look
in faith and you will see, the One who reveals the Divine Trinity. Look in faith and
you will see the Seed of the woman sent to crush the serpent’s head.
Look in faith and you will see the Lamb of God Who has come into the
world to die for sin once and for all. Look again and the Lion of Judah you shall
see. The Lion has come and won the victory over sin, death, and the power of the
devil.
Look again into the manager and see the One, the Lord God of the heavenly
hosts, the One through Whom all that was created. Look at the infant and see the
One Who by His Word called forth the countless stars, the angels, the archangels,
and all the company of heaven into being.
Look again and you will see the newborn Who is the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end. Though a Baby born in time, see here also the Infinite
One begotten of the Father from eternity and King from everlasting to everlasting.
Look with eyes of faith and see the Truth enfleshed to set us free from sin
and the devil’s tyranny. Look at the Child in the stall and you will see Wisdom
from above, the Word of God Himself, the Glory of the Lord, the Ransom for all,
and the Great I am Who came in time in humble form to save us all.
Look with eyes of faith and see the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the
Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Great High Priest, the
Healer from on high, the Heavenly Groom, and our Great High Hope yet to be.
Look upon the Babe in swaddling clothes and see the Heavenly Father’s
Holy Son, your Brother Divine, your Way, your Truth, your Life to come, the
Bride-Groom, and the Gate to your heavenly home.
Look in faith upon this night. Look in faith upon this sight. A child is born,
a Son is given. This is God’s Indescribable Gift to you this night. Your Savior has
come, Do not be afraid, He is Christ the Lord.
Amen