The Birth of King Jesus
December 27--28
Day #27
The King’s Arrival: In the Fu... View MoreThe Birth of King Jesus
December 27--28
Day #27
The King’s Arrival: In the Fullness of Time"But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship." — Galatians 4:4–5 (NIV)1. The Perfect Timing of the KingThe text begins with a powerful phrase: "When the set time had fully come." Christmas was not an emergency backup plan; it was a scheduled appointment. Historians often point out that the world was uniquely prepared for a King:The Pax Romana: The Roman Peace allowed for safe travel across the empire.Roman Roads: A highway system was ready for the message of the King to spread.A Common Language: Greek allowed the Gospel to be understood by diverse cultures.The Lesson: If God was in control of the timing of the first Christmas, He is in control of the timing of your life today. He is never early, and He is never late.2. The Humble Nature of the KingPaul highlights two specific "births" for Jesus that seem almost contradictory for a King:"Born of a woman": This affirms His complete humanity. He didn’t just appear; He entered our world through the same messy, fragile process we all do. He knows what it’s like to be hungry, tired, and tempted."Born under the law": This refers to His Jewish heritage and His submission to God's standard. Unlike us, Jesus lived perfectly under the Law. He did what we couldn't do so that He could pay a debt He didn't owe.3. The Grand Purpose: Redemption and AdoptionWhy did the King come? Paul uses two legal terms to explain the "why":TermMeaning in the TextRedemptionTo buy someone out of slavery. Jesus "bought us back" from our "slavery" to sin and the impossible demands of the law.AdoptionThis is the "plus-one" of the Gospel. It’s not just that our debt is cleared (redemption); it’s that we are brought into the Family (adoption).The King didn't come just to be a moral example; He came to be a Rescuer. Because of His birth, we are no longer just "subjects" of a King or "slaves" to a code; we are sons and daughters of the Most High.Conclusion: From Slaves to HeirsThe birth of King Jesus is the moment God moved toward us so that we could move toward Him. He became like us (born of a woman) so that we could become like Him (children of God).This season, as we look at the manger, let's remember it was the first step toward the Cross. The King was born in a stable to ensure that we would have a place in His Father's house.Reflection Question: Do you view yourself as a servant trying to earn God's favor, or as a child who already has it because of what King Jesus did?
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The Birth of King Jesus
December 27--28
Day #28
Title: The King Who Stepped Into Our Unrighteousness
Scripture Reading
"All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death." — 1 John 5:17
Introduction: The Shadow and the Light
When we think of the birth of King Jesus, we usually think of soft light, singing angels, and the peaceful scene of a sleeping babe. But the Bible tells us that Jesus wasn't born into a postcard; He was born into a world darkened by what John calls "unrighteousness." We often try to separate the "Christmas story" from the "sin story," but you cannot have the Savior without first acknowledging what we need saving from. Today, we look at why the King of Heaven chose to lay His head in a manger of wood, knowing it would eventually lead to a cross of wood.
1. The Diagnosis: "All Unrighteousness is Sin"
John’s letter is blunt. He doesn’t sugarcoat the human state. He says that all unrighteousness—every lie, every moment of pride, every coldness of heart—is sin.
If we are honest, Bethlehem was a place of unrighteousness. There was no room for a pregnant woman in the inn. A paranoid King Herod was already plotting to protect his throne. The world was messy, unfair, and broken. Jesus didn’t wait for the world to "clean up" before He arrived. He stepped directly into the center of our unrighteousness.
2. The Remedy: The King in the Manger
Why would a King leave a throne of perfect righteousness to enter a world of total unrighteousness?
To Identify with Us: By becoming a baby, He experienced our hunger, our tiredness, and our temptations.
To Bridge the Gap: 1 John 5:17 reminds us of the standard of God's holiness. We couldn't climb up to His level, so He came down to ours.
The manger is God’s way of saying, "I see your unrighteousness, and I am coming to get you anyway."
3. The Hope: "A Sin Not Unto Death"
The end of our verse offers a mysterious hope: "there is a sin not unto death." In the context of the Gospel, this points us to Grace.
Because King Jesus was born, lived a perfect life, and died for our "unrighteousness," sin no longer has the final word. Death no longer has the final victory. The birth of Jesus was the beginning of the end for the power of sin. He was born to give us a "way out"—a path from the death we deserve to the life He offers.
Conclusion: The Gift of Righteousness
This season, as we look at the Nativity, let us see more than just a beautiful story. Let us see a Rescue Mission.
Jesus is the King who doesn't demand that you become righteous to meet Him. Instead, He meets you in your unrighteousness and offers you His righteousness as a gift. He took on our humanity so that we might partake in His divinity.
The King has arrived. The debt is being paid. The light has dawned.
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End of December 27--28
Next will be December days 29, 30.
Beyond possible. Luke 1:37
The Birth of King Jesus
December 25--27
Day #25
Title: The King Who Was Give... View MoreThe Birth of King Jesus
December 25--27
Day #25
Title: The King Who Was Given
Scripture Text: John 3:16
Theme: The Birth of Jesus as the ultimate expression of God’s love and the arrival of a different kind of Kingdom.
Introduction: The Christmas Verse in Disguise
When we think of the birth of King Jesus, we usually turn to the hills of Bethlehem, the carols of angels, or the quiet of a stable in Luke 2. But if you want to understand the why behind the what, you have to look at John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
While this verse is often associated with the cross, it is fundamentally a Christmas verse. It describes the greatest "gift-giving" moment in human history. Today, we look at the birth of Jesus not just as a historical event, but as the arrival of a King whose crown was made of humility and whose motivation was pure love.
1. The Motivation of the King: A Love Without Borders
The verse begins with: "For God so loved the world..."
In the ancient world, kings were expected to be served. They were distant, powerful, and often demanded the love and loyalty of their subjects under threat of force. But the King of Kings flipped the script.
The Scope: He didn't just love the "righteous" or the "worthy." He loved the world—in all its messiness, rebellion, and brokenness.
The Depth: The word "so" in this context doesn't just mean "very much"; it means "in this way." God loved the world in this specific way: by becoming part of it.
The takeaway: Jesus wasn’t born in a palace because He didn't come to be insulated from us; He was born in a manger because He came to be with us.
2. The Nature of the Gift: A King Who Was "Gave"
The text says: "...that he gave his one and only Son."
At Christmas, we celebrate the "arrival," but John uses the word "gave." This tells us two things about the birth of King Jesus:
It was Costly: To give a "one and only Son" implies a sacrifice. The shadow of the cross was already falling over the manger. The straw that cushioned His head would one day be replaced by the wood of a Roman cross.
It was Intentional: Jesus wasn't an afterthought. His birth wasn't a "Plan B." He was the promised King, the "Long-Expected Jesus," sent on a specific mission to rescue a people who could not rescue themselves.
3. The Accessibility of the King: The "Whoever" Invitation
Most kings have gatekeepers. To see a monarch, you need status, wealth, or a special invitation. But look at the requirement for this King: "...that whoever believes in him..."
The Shepherd and the Sage: At His birth, the first to see Him were outcasted shepherds and foreign Magi.
The Open Door: The word "whoever" is the most inclusive word in the Bible. It levels the playing field. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done, or how "un-royal" you feel.
To "believe" in this King isn't just to agree that He existed. It is to place your trust in His authority and His goodness. It is to say, "I want to be a citizen of Your Kingdom."
Conclusion: From Perishing to Living
The verse ends with a contrast: "...shall not perish but have eternal life."
Without the King, we are wandering. We are "perishing" in our own stress, our own failures, and our own mortality. But the birth of Jesus changed the trajectory of the human story. He didn't come to condemn the world, but to give it a heartbeat again.
This Christmas season, as we look at the Nativity, let’s remember that the baby in the manger is the King on the throne. He didn't come to take; He came to give. He didn't come to rule with an iron fist, but with a wounded hand.
The King has arrived. The gift has been given. The only question remains: Will you receive Him?
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The Birth of King Jesus
December 25--27
Day #26
Title: The Gift We Could Never Earn
Scripture: Romans 6:23
Theme: The Birth of the King as God’s Answer to Humanity’s Greatest Debt.
Introduction: The Season of Exchange
Christmas is a season defined by the exchange of gifts. We spend weeks searching for the "perfect" item for those we love—something that reflects their value to us. But often, our gift-giving is based on a "tit-for-tat" mentality: I give to you because you gave to me, or because you’ve "earned" my affection.
However, the scripture we are looking at today, Romans 6:23, strips away the ribbons and bows to show us the raw reality of the first Christmas. It presents a stark contrast between what we have earned and what God has freely given.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
1. The Wages: What We Earned
To understand the beauty of the manger, we must first understand the darkness of the debt. Paul uses the word "wages." A wage is something you are owed; it is the just compensation for work performed.
In our fallen state, the "work" of humanity has been rebellion and self-governance. The natural paycheck for a life separated from God is death—not just physically, but spiritually. This is why the world Jesus entered was so desperate. It was a world bankrupt, unable to pay off the mounting debt of its own soul.
If Christmas were about what we deserved, there would be no star, no angels, and no Savior.
2. The Gift: What God Provided
But the verse shifts with one of the most beautiful "buts" in all of Scripture: "...but the gift of God."
The Greek word used here for gift is charisma. It refers to a gift of grace—something bestowed that is completely unearned and undeserved. While we were clocking in shifts of rebellion, God was preparing a treasury of grace.
The birth of King Jesus was God’s "charity" in the truest sense of the word. He didn't look down and say, "They’ve done enough to merit a visit." He looked down and said, "They cannot save themselves; I will go to them." The baby in the manger is the physical manifestation of God’s refusal to give us what we earned.
3. The King: Christ Jesus Our Lord
Notice how the verse ends: "...in Christ Jesus our Lord." The "gift" isn't a philosophy, a religion, or a set of rules. The gift is a Person. * He is Christ: The Anointed One, the promised Messiah.
He is Jesus: The one who "saves His people from their sins."
He is Lord: The King who claims authority over our lives.
When the Wise Men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they weren't just giving birthday presents; they were acknowledging a Sovereign. This King was born in a stable to pay the "wages" of the world on a cross, so that we could receive His "gift" through a resurrection.
Conclusion: Will You Receive It?
A gift can be bought, wrapped, and placed under the tree, but it does the recipient no good until it is opened and accepted. This Christmas, you might feel like you are working hard to "earn" a good life, "earn" God’s favor, or "earn" your way out of your mistakes. But the message of the Gospel is that the King has already paid the bill. The wages have been handled; only the gift remains.
As we celebrate the birth of King Jesus, let us move past the "wages" of our own efforts and rest in the "eternal life" that was born in Bethlehem.
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The Birth of King Jesus
December 25--27
Day #27
The King’s Arrival: In the Fullness of Time"But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship." — Galatians 4:4–5 (NIV)1. The Perfect Timing of the KingThe text begins with a powerful phrase: "When the set time had fully come." Christmas was not an emergency backup plan; it was a scheduled appointment. Historians often point out that the world was uniquely prepared for a King:The Pax Romana: The Roman Peace allowed for safe travel across the empire.Roman Roads: A highway system was ready for the message of the King to spread.A Common Language: Greek allowed the Gospel to be understood by diverse cultures.The Lesson: If God was in control of the timing of the first Christmas, He is in control of the timing of your life today. He is never early, and He is never late.2. The Humble Nature of the KingPaul highlights two specific "births" for Jesus that seem almost contradictory for a King:"Born of a woman": This affirms His complete humanity. He didn’t just appear; He entered our world through the same messy, fragile process we all do. He knows what it’s like to be hungry, tired, and tempted."Born under the law": This refers to His Jewish heritage and His submission to God's standard. Unlike us, Jesus lived perfectly under the Law. He did what we couldn't do so that He could pay a debt He didn't owe.3. The Grand Purpose: Redemption and AdoptionWhy did the King come? Paul uses two legal terms to explain the "why":TermMeaning in the TextRedemptionTo buy someone out of slavery. Jesus "bought us back" from our "slavery" to sin and the impossible demands of the law.AdoptionThis is the "plus-one" of the Gospel. It’s not just that our debt is cleared (redemption); it’s that we are brought into the Family (adoption).The King didn't come just to be a moral example; He came to be a Rescuer. Because of His birth, we are no longer just "subjects" of a King or "slaves" to a code; we are sons and daughters of the Most High.Conclusion: From Slaves to HeirsThe birth of King Jesus is the moment God moved toward us so that we could move toward Him. He became like us (born of a woman) so that we could become like Him (children of God).This season, as we look at the manger, let's remember it was the first step toward the Cross. The King was born in a stable to ensure that we would have a place in His Father's house.Reflection Question: Do you view yourself as a servant trying to earn God's favor, or as a child who already has it because of what King Jesus did?
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End of December 25--27
Next will be December days 28, 29, 30.
What was seen at Bethlehem? Luke 2:8--20
The Birth of King Jesus
December 22--24
Day #22
The Birth of the King Who Was... View MoreThe Birth of King Jesus
December 22--24
Day #22
The Birth of the King Who Was Protected by God
Text: Matthew 2:13–14, 19–23
Today’s Scripture reminds us that the birth of King Jesus was not only a moment of joy and wonder, but also a moment of danger, obedience, and divine guidance. In Gospel of Matthew, we see that from the very beginning, Jesus is revealed as a true King—one whose life is guided and guarded by God, even when earthly powers seek to destroy Him.
After the visit of the wise men, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and warns him of Herod’s deadly intentions. Without hesitation, Joseph obeys. He rises in the night, takes Mary and the child, and flees to Egypt. This teaches us something profound: God’s plans often require immediate obedience. Joseph does not argue, delay, or demand explanations. He trusts God with the safety of his family, and through that obedience, the Savior of the world is preserved.
This passage also reminds us that Jesus enters a broken and dangerous world. The King of Heaven begins His life as a refugee, dependent on the faithfulness of a humble carpenter and the protection of God. From the cradle, Jesus identifies with the vulnerable and the threatened. This is not a distant or sheltered King; this is a King who walks the hard roads of human suffering.
Later, after Herod’s death, the angel again speaks to Joseph, calling him back to Israel. Yet even then, danger remains. Joseph wisely settles in Nazareth, fulfilling what was spoken by the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.” God’s plan unfolds step by step. What may look like uncertainty or detours are, in fact, divine direction. God is shaping the story of salvation through ordinary decisions guided by faith.
As we reflect on the birth of King Jesus, we are reminded that God is always at work—protecting, guiding, and fulfilling His promises. The same God who guarded Jesus watches over us today. Our calling, like Joseph’s, is to listen, trust, and obey, even when the path is unclear.
May we rejoice that our King was born not only to reign in glory, but to walk with us in our trials, and may we place our lives confidently in the hands of the God who never fails. Amen.
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The Birth of King Jesus
December 13--15
Day #23
The Birth of the King Who Came Near
Text: John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
When we speak of the birth of King Jesus, we are not only speaking of a baby in a manger, but of a miracle beyond human imagination. John does not begin his Gospel with shepherds or angels, but with eternity. He tells us that the eternal Word—the One who created all things—became flesh. The infinite stepped into the finite. The Creator entered His creation.
This is the wonder of Christmas: our King did not come wrapped in royal robes, but in human skin. He did not arrive in a palace, but in poverty. John says the Word “dwelt among us,” a phrase that means “pitched His tent” with us. Just as God once dwelt with Israel in the tabernacle, He now comes to dwell with humanity in Jesus. Our King is not distant or detached; He comes near, close enough to be touched, to be heard, to be known.
And what did we see when He came? John says, “We have seen His glory.” Not the glory of armies or earthly power, but the glory of love, humility, and obedience. The newborn King’s glory would be revealed not by conquest, but by the cross. From the manger to Calvary, Jesus shows us what God is like—full of grace and truth. Grace that welcomes sinners, and truth that transforms hearts.
The birth of King Jesus is an invitation. It calls us to behold His glory, to receive His grace, and to walk in His truth. This King does not force His way into our lives; He offers Himself. As He once entered the world quietly, He now seeks to enter our hearts humbly.
So today, let us marvel again at this holy mystery: the Word became flesh. Heaven came down. The King was born—not to rule from a throne of gold, but to reign through love. May we receive Him, worship Him, and proclaim Him as our King. Amen.
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The Birth of King Jesus
December 22--24
Day #24
3rd
The Birth of a Different Kind of King
John 18:36–37
When we think of kings, we think of power, armies, territory, and dominance. Yet when Jesus stood before Pilate, facing execution, He declared something shocking:
“My kingdom is not of this world… You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.” (John 18:36–37)
Notice this carefully: Jesus connects His birth with His kingship. He does not deny being a king—but He redefines what kind of king He is.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there was no palace, no royal announcement from Rome, no military parade. Instead, there was a manger, shepherds, and a quiet night. Yet Heaven knew exactly what was happening. A King had been born—but not one like the world expected.
Jesus says His kingdom is not of this world. That does not mean it has no power; it means its power is different. Earthly kingdoms rule by force, fear, and control. Jesus rules by truth, love, sacrifice, and obedience to God. His crown would not be gold, but thorns. His throne would not be lifted high, but raised on a cross.
Pilate asks, “So you are a king?” And Jesus answers, “For this purpose I was born.” The birth of Jesus was not an accident or merely a sentimental moment—it was a mission. From the manger to the cross, Jesus came to testify to the truth: that God’s kingdom had arrived, that sin would be defeated, and that hearts could be made new.
The question is not whether Jesus is King—He is. The question is where He reigns. He does not force His rule; He invites allegiance. His kingdom begins not in governments, but in hearts that listen to His voice.
This is the wonder of Christmas: the King of Heaven was born among us, not to conquer nations, but to save souls. And all who belong to the truth will hear Him.
So today, as we remember the birth of Jesus, let us ask ourselves:
Is He only a baby in a manger to us—or is He our King?
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end of Day 22--24
Next will be December 25--27
Days 25, 26, 27
Who is Mary? Luke 1:26--38, 46--55
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