Morning, December 25

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"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 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. 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 has been described simply as "a virgin," not a princess, or
   prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True 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!

   Immanuel, 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 splendour.