The Child Is Born

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and . . . he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Today, as we rest in thankfulness, peace, and joy for Jesus’ birth, let’s also remember how He came: as a baby, in a barn, to a teenager and her husband. God always has used the odd and unusual to work His will—and Jesus was His masterpiece.

Remember how God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and the weak things to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27)? How foolish must Mary have looked when she came to Joseph and said, “It was an angel”? And how foolish Joseph must have looked to accept her! Imagine how weak must that tiny baby have looked, lying in the feeding trough, relegated to the barn because there was no room in the inn. And yet . . .

Mary gave birth to the Messiah, and Joseph helped raise Him. That holy baby defeated hell and death. And the same Spirit that brought Him to life lives inside of you. So today, as we praise God for His mysterious ways, let’s joyfully agree to be a fool for Him, and to be part of His miraculous workings here on earth!

Lord God, I am amazed by the beauty of Jesus’ coming, of the foolish things You use to work Your glory on the earth. Hallelujah, Christ has come!