Archive of Grace

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

Let us today go down to Bethlehem, and in company with wondering shepherds and adoring Magi, let us see Him who was born King of the Jews, for we by faith can claim an interest in Him, and can sing, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Jesus is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our brother and friend; let us adore and admire. Let us notice at the very first glance His miraculous conception. It was a thing unheard of before, and unparalleled since, that a virgin should conceive and bear a son. "The Lord hath created a new thing in the earth; a woman shall compass a man." The first promise ran thus: "The seed of the woman" not the offspring of the man. Since venturous woman led the way in the sin which brought forth Paradise lost, she, and she alone, ushers in the Regainer of Paradise. Our Saviour, although truly man, was, as to His human nature, the Holy One of God. By the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the virgin without the taint of original sin which appertains to all those who are born of the flesh. Let us reverently bow before the Holy Child whose innocence restores to manhood its ancient glory; and let us pray that He may be formed in us, the hope of glory. Fail not to note His humble parentage. His mother our morning's portion describes simply as "a virgin," not a princess or prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True, her lineage was not to be despised, for the blood of kings ran in her veins; nor was her mind a weak and untaught one, for she could sing most sweetly a song of praise; but yet how humble her position, how poor the man to whom she stood affianced, and how miserable the accommodation afforded to the new-born King! Thus has poverty become consecrated, and men of low estate are exalted to honor. Every believer is a portrait of Christ, but a poor saint is the same well-drawn picture hung in the selfsame frame of poverty which surrounds the Master's image.

We esteem every day alike, but still, as the season and the general custom suggest thoughts of Jesus, let us joyfully remember our dear Redeemer's glorious birth. Every day should be the birthday of the Saviour to a renewed soul. Amid all that is humiliating, there is much that is honorable in the circumstances of the birth of our Immanuel. Whose birth was ever ushered in by a long train of prophecy, or longed for by such a multitude of hearts? Who but He can boast of a forerunner who marked Him as the coming Man? When did angels indulge in midnight songs, or did God ever hang a new star in the sky before? To whose cradle did rich and poor make so willing a pilgrimage, and offer such hearty and unsought oblations? Well may earth rejoice; well may all men cease their labor to celebrate "the great birthday" of Jesus. O Bethlehem, house of bread, we see in thee our hopes forever gratified. 'Tis He, the Saviour, long foretold, to usher in the age of gold. Let gladness rule the hour; let holy song and sweet heart-music accompany our soul in its raptures of delight.

The golden name, Immanuel, is inexpressibly delightful. It is a word fit for the lips of cherubim for its majesty, but, because of its marvellous condescension, none but men can utter it. He is not so with seraphs as He is with us. God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and second advent splendor. The babe of Bethlehem appears to be manifestly with us in weakness and in poverty; let us not forget that He is equally near us in His glory and honor. Faith clasps the child, and love kisses Him with the kisses of her lips. O for true spiritual fellowship with Immanuel all this day!