Today's Reading: Luke 2:1-20

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 49:1-18; Matthew 1:1-17

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. At just the right time, Jesus was born.  At just the right time, God sent His son to be born of a woman.  At just the right time God sent His son to be born under the law.  Our savior Jesus Christ came into this world at just the right time.  God chose the time and the place where His son would be born.  On Christmas Day we rejoice and celebrate the gift of salvation that came into this world.  The day that the Word made His dwelling amongst us.  

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, we engage in numerous activities that help reinforce the magnificent gift of salvation through Jesus.  We go to church and sing the familiar hymns of Christmas.  We receive His body and blood for the strengthening of faith and the forgiveness of sins.  We hear the message of the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.  We sit around the family dinner table and reminisce of years gone by and reflect on loved ones who are no longer with us.  We open gifts and extend gratitude towards family and friends who have taken time to remember us in their Christmas giving.  All these activities give us the remembrance that our savior Jesus Christ came into this world for the salvation of the world; certainly, some activities more than others.  

When it comes to Jesus, He is the gift.  Christ brings to us exactly what we need.  In the manger is the Son of God that has come to redeem the world.  In the manger is forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.  In the manger is the threefold office of prophet, priest, and king for the people of God.   In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, grant that the birth of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free from the bondage of sin; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.