A number of years ago we received a calendar from missionaries living in France. The December scripture was taken from this passage in Luke 7: Dieu a visité son peuple. As I repeated the verse in faulty French, I remember thinking how much it captured the essence of Christmas — God came to visit his people.

And he never left.

The Gospel of Matthew begins with a declaration that he is here: they will call his name Immanuel — which means, “God with us” (1:23). Then ends with the same assurance: “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (28:20). This profound assertion meets one of our most basic needs — knowing we’re not alone in the universe. Christmas is a season that offers us the certain hope that Someone is here. The Incarnation lets us see that in the midst of a world increasingly characterized by broken relationships and isolation, there remains a God who is both sovereign and near.

But the message of Christmas goes further, heralding the tidings that incalculable good can emerge from the most unlikely of circumstances. Who would have thought that the Creator of the universe would have come to earth as a baby? Not only a baby, but a poor baby? Jesus is born as the Redeemer who heals the wreckage of our lives, fulling delivering us from all evil.

God has come through Jesus and remains through the Holy Spirit. The most unimaginable plan possible has become a tangible reality. It’s cause for celebration!

Lord, thank you for visiting your people. Thank you for never leaving us. May we become increasingly aware of your presence throughout this season and each and every day of our lives. Amen.

Throughout this Day: Ask God to show you if there is anyone he wants you to reach out to in love today, either in person or otherwise.



Tags: Advent 2020 Daily Devotional Luke 7
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