Jesus appears as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This Lamb would take away the sins of the world and bring both Israel and the Gentile nations into the kingdom of God. The hearts that see this Savior in faith cannot help but take news of this salvation to the ends of the earth.

Jesus appears as Savior of the Nations. The Church remembers January 6 as the Twelfth Day which closes the Christmas season. The Festival of the Epiphany of our Lord is the second oldest festival celebrated by the Church, dating to the second century. The Eastern Church commemorates the birth of Christ on this day, but the Western Church remembers it as the “Gentile Christmas” and celebrates Jesus who appeared as the Word for the world.

The Incarnation reveals the unseen God to the eyes of the faithful. The light of Christ illuminates hearts and eyes once darkened by sin, and the whole world sees the salvation of our unseen God made visible in our flesh-and-blood Savior.

God cares for his sons. He cared for his son, the nation of Israel—though they were rebellious. He cared for his Son, Jesus—though Herod raged against him. He even cares for his newly adopted sons—though we do not deserve it. God cared for us by sending his Son to deliver us from the corruption of sin and transform us into sons.

Our Savior was born for a very noble purpose: to save us. Today we celebrate that fact.

In the Messiah’s kingdom things are not always what they seem. Appearances can be deceiving and lead to doubt. In the Prayer of the Day the Church asks Christ to drive the darkness of doubt from our hearts and fill us with the light of the knowledge of Christ. Faith in Christ leads us to patiently hope in the Lord’s caring plan despite any appearances to the contrary.

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near! The Forerunner prepares for the coming Christ by preaching repentance that brings renewal of life. The Root of Jesse will come in swift judgment on the unrepentant but in mercy and grace for God’s people. His coming will end the wickedness of the world and usher in a new age restored to the perfection with which God made it.

In Christ we have an eternal King who will protect us for all eternity. His promise is sure: We will live with him in his kingdom, rejoicing in his goodness and resting in his eternal peace.

The relationship between God and his saints will last into eternity. Death is not the end, and for believers, this is the highest comfort and greatest joy.