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December 1, 2020 7:00 pm
“No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.” Those words from Phillips Brooks’ much-loved hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” point to the very heart of Christmas. Jesus came into our broken world to rescue us from our sin and give all who would put their faith in Him a new and vital relationship with God.
In a letter to a friend decades after he wrote the hymn, Brooks poignantly described the outcome of this relationship in his own life: “I cannot tell you how personal this grows to me. He is here. He knows me and I know Him. It is no figure of speech. It is the realest thing in the world, and every day makes it realer. And one wonders with delight what it will grow to as the years go on.”
Brooks’ calm assurance of God’s presence in his life reflects one of the names of Jesus prophesied by Isaiah: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). The gospel of Matthew gives us the meaning of the Hebrew name Immanuel: “God with us” (1:23).
God drew near to us through Jesus so we could know Him personally and be with Him forever. His loving presence with us is the greatest gift of all.
Either welcome to Our Daily Bread's daily devotional reading for today was written by James Banks and it's entitled Christmas presents no ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin where meek souls will receive him still the dear Christ enters in those words from Phillips Brooks much loved him a little town of Bethlehem point to the very heart of Christmas, Jesus came into our broken world to rescue us from our sin and give all who would put their faith in him a new and vital relationship with God. In a letter to a friend, decades after he wrote the hymn Brooks poignantly describe the outcome of this relationship in his own life. I cannot tell you how personal this gross to me.
He is here. He knows me and I know him. It is no figure of speech. It is the realist thing in the world and every day makes it real and one wonders with delight when it will grow to as the years go on Brooks calm assurance of God's presence in his life reflects one of the names of Jesus prophesied by Isaiah the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Emmanuelle the gospel of Matthew gives us the meaning of the Hebrew name Emmanuelle God with us. God drew near to us through Jesus, so that we would know him personally and be with him forever. His loving presence with us is the greatest gift of all. Today Our Daily Bread devotional Scripture reading is taken from the prophet Isaiah chapter 7 verses 10 through 14.
Again, the Lord spoke to Ahaz asked the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths, or in the highest heights.
But Ahaz said I will not ask.
I will not put the Lord to the test, then Isaiah said here now you house of David, is it not enough to try the patience of humans. Will you try the patience of my God. Also, therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Emmanuelle.
Now let's pray, loving father, thank you for giving all of yourself to us through your life on earth death on the cross and resurrection. Please help us to live for you today and forever, and made this weary and hurting world come to know you through us and find the rest in peace that only can be known, in and through you and it's in Jesus name that we pray.
Amen on today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread ministries
