Immanuel

December 25

Daily Bible Reading: Haggai 1 – 2

Verse of the Day: Haggai 2:9 – “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Merry Christmas. God promises through Haggai that there will come a future time when God will give peace. As we look around the world today, even in the midst of our celebrating, many are suffering turmoil and distress.

We celebrate the birth of Jesus on this day, not really knowing what day was His birthday, even in the midst of suffering and distress. Why celebrate? Because as Isaiah wrote about, the “Prince of Peace,” He did come. Matthew calling upon Isaiah’s prophecy reminds us that “Immanuel” – God with us – came. With us through the heartaches, the grief, the loneliness, the bad days and the good. Always here, always with us, always near and living in us.

Prayer: Father, as we celebrate this glorious day, let us focus on Immanuel, the Prince of Peace, our Redeemer. Jesus. Amen.