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Wednesday, December 24

Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14

Christmas is a time to remember who God is and what He has done. The writer of Psalm 96 reminds us of who God is by giving us a description of God鈥檚 unmatched character. In this psalm we are told of God鈥檚 greatness (v. 4), of his splendor and majesty (v. 6), of his glory and strength (v. 7), and of his sovereign reign over creation (v. 10). These attributes stir us to 鈥渟ing to the Lord, bless his name, tell of his salvation from day to day,鈥� and to ascribe glory to Him (v. 2, 7-8). The psalmist commands us to declare God鈥檚 glory among 鈥渢he nations鈥� and his marvelous works 鈥渁mong all the peoples鈥� (v. 3). The good news of God鈥檚 majesty and splendor elicits reverence from us (v. 9) and trust that the Lord will 鈥渏udge the peoples with equity鈥� (v. 10), 鈥渢he world in righteousness, and the peoples in faithfulness鈥� (v. 13).

The psalmist tells us who God is, and the prophet Isaiah reminds us of what God has zealously done in giving a regal Son who brings peace and is called 鈥淲onderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace鈥� (Isaiah 9:6). Furthermore, the apostle Paul tells us that 鈥淕od鈥檚 grace has appeared, bringing salvation for all people鈥� (Titus 2:11). This grace is named Jesus, and he 鈥済ave Himself for us to redeem us鈥� (v. 14). We now wait for his glorious reappearance (v. 13).

As we remember the birth of Jesus in the past and wait with 鈥渂lessed hope鈥� for his return in the future (Titus 2:13), let鈥檚 remember that God鈥檚 light continues to shine in the darkness in the present. Today, He offers help and hope to those walking in darkness (Isaiah 9:2), and He brings peace where there is chaos. Darkness and chaos will not have the last word. Our righteous and faithful Creator and Judge of all the earth will have the last word.

This Christmas Eve, gather with your family and friends and remember who God is and what He has done for you. Remember the light that He brings to darkness, His grace freely available to all peoples and nations, and His royal, virgin-born Son, who is the 鈥渓ight of the world鈥� (John 8:12) and who 鈥渢akes away the sin of the world鈥� (John 1:29).



Josh Parrott
Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service