A Great Light

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

ISAIAH 9:2

If there is one truth that leaps out at us from the pages of Scripture at Christmas, it is that Jesus came to be the Light of the world! Light came into this dark world when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The prophet Isaiah calls Jesus “a great light” Who has shined on those who “walked in darkness” (Isaiah 9:2). The prophet is referring to spiritual darkness, which also is very great. But the darkness was no match for the light of God’s Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, also anticipated the coming of the Savior. In his great song of praise, he prophesied that Jesus would “give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79). 

Another man of God by the name of Simeon pointed to the Light. As Joseph and Mary came to the temple to dedicate the infant Jesus, Simeon took the baby to bless Him. God revealed to Simeon the identity of the Child, and he rejoiced that God had sent “a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:32). 

No matter where you turn in God’s Word, you will find that Christmas is about light! We love to sing the Christmas carol, “Silent Night, Holy Night.” But this great hymn is not about the night or about darkness. It’s about the Light. The third stanza of “Silent Night” says, “Son of God, / love’s pure light / Radiant beams from Thy holy face, / With the dawn of redeeming grace.” 

We sing another Christmas carol, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The last stanza invites us to “Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace! / Hail the Son of righteousness! / Light and life to all He brings, / Risen with healing in His wings.” We sing at Christmas because we have something to sing about! Light has come into the world, and we don’t ever need to walk in darkness again!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Messiah for the Magi

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:1–2)

Unlike Luke, Matthew does not tell us about the shepherds coming to visit Jesus in the stable. His focus is immediately on foreigners — Gentiles, non-Jews — coming from the east to worship Jesus.

So, Matthew portrays Jesus at the beginning and ending of his Gospel as a universal Messiah for all the nations, not just for Jews.

Here the first worshipers are court magicians, or astrologers, or wise men not from Israel but from the East — perhaps from Babylon. They were Gentiles. Unclean, according to the Old Testament ceremonial laws.

And at the end of Matthew, the last words of Jesus are, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18–19).

This not only opened the door for us Gentiles to rejoice in the Messiah; it added proof that he was the Messiah. Because one of the repeated prophecies was that the nations and kings would, in fact, come to him as the ruler of the world. For example, Isaiah 60:3, “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

So, Matthew adds proof to the messiahship of Jesus and shows that he is Messiah — a King, and Promise-Fulfiller — for all the nations, not just Israel.

John Piper 

The Greatest of These Is Love

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:12–13

 There was once an aged Christian man who was dying. A friend came to see him, and the dying man said, “I’ve just had three other visitors. Two of them are gone, but the third visitor will stay with me forever.” The friend asked, “Who were these visitors?” The aged man said, “Well, the first visitor was Faith. I visited with Faith and enjoyed Faith, but then I told Faith good-bye. I said, ‘Thank God for your company, Faith. I have walked with you since I first trusted Christ. But now I’m going to die and I won’t need you anymore, because Faith will be lost in sight when I get to heaven and see Jesus face-to-face.’” 

Then he continued, “My second visitor was Hope. We also had a wonderful time. But then I said to Hope, ‘Farewell, Hope. You’ve helped me in the hour of battle. You’ve been with me in distress when my heart was broken and when I’ve had so many needs. You’ve been there like a rock, like an anchor. But, Hope, I won’t need you anymore. I’m going to heaven where hope turns to reality.’” 

But then the man said, “The third visitor who came to see me is still with me, and will always be with me. His name is Love. I said to him, ‘Love, you’ve been my friend. You’ve linked me to God. You’ve linked me to my fellowman. You have comforted and gladdened me in all of my pilgrimages. “‘Now I’m going to heaven. But, Love, I’m not going to leave you behind. You will enter the city of God with me. And you, my friend, will be perfected in heaven.’” 

Is that not what the Bible says? Look at the final verses of 1 Corinthians 13. Of the three gifts Paul mentions, the greatest is love. Do you want to give others the best Christmas gift possible? Give them the love of Christ. He is our life, our joy. He is the story of Christmas.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Fate or God's Sovereign Plan?

But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior.  - Hosea 13:4

"You shall have no other gods before me. - Exodus 20:3

everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."  - Isaiah 43:7

9 All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true. 

10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. 

11 I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. 

12 I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and I am God.  - Isaiah 43:9-12

6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. 

7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. 

8 Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any."  - Isaiah 44:6-8

5 I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, 

6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. 

7 I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things.  - Isaiah 45:5-7

I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.  - Isaiah 45:12

17 But Israel is saved by the LORD with everlasting salvation; you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity. 

18 For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other. 

19 I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek me in vain.' I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right. 

20 "Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save. 

21 Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. 

22 "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 

23 By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'  - Isaiah 45:17-23

Peace to Those with Whom He Is Pleased

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:12–14)

Peace for whom? There is a somber note sounded in the angels’ praise. Peace among those on whom his favor rests. Peace among those with whom he is pleased. But without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). So Christmas does not bring peace to all.

“This is the judgment,” Jesus said, “the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil” (John 3:19). Or as the aged Simeon said when he saw the child Jesus, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed . . . so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34–35). Oh, how many there are who look out on a bleak and chilly Christmas day and see no more than that — a sign to be opposed.

“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11–12). It was only to his disciples that Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

The people who enjoy the peace of God that surpasses all understanding are those who in everything by prayer and supplication let their requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6–7).

The key that unlocks the treasure chest of God’s peace is faith in the promises of God. So Paul prays, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). And when we do trust the promises of God and have joy and peace and love, then God is glorified.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! Everyone — from every people, tongue, tribe, and nation — who would believe.

John Piper 

The Victory of Love

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.                           

 1 CORINTHIANS 13:8–10

Let’s consider the victory of love found in the wonderful declaration of verse 8: “Love never fails.” That’s one of the greatest statements in the Bible. Love is eternal. It will never pass away. Notice the things that will pass away, however. Prophecy, tongues, and knowledge are impressive gifts, but they will all

pass away. Remember verse 2, where Paul says that prophecy, knowledge, and faith add up to nothing without love. Paul is telling us not to get puffed up about what we know, because when it’s all said and done we only know “in part” (v. 9). 

The truth is that we don’t know 1 percent of anything. Some people think they know the future, but all they really have is an educated guess, or maybe a hunch. We are also warned against getting puffed up about the gifts we possess. The gift of tongues was one of the more spectacular spiritual gifts for the early Church, but the gift of tongues fades and will be stilled. Love, however, endures. 

A little child can ask questions about heaven that a doctor of theology can’t answer. We need humility in these areas. But one thing we can know is that love will last. Love is more important than education. It’s more important than ability. It is more important than prophecy. All of these things are going to pass away. May your family be known for the gospel it shares and the love it shows. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be famous for the gospel and famous for love? 

When Christmas guests walk into your home, may they say, “This is a home that loves.” Love is not only the greatest virtue; it is also the greatest commandment. Jesus Himself said that love for God is the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37–40). If love is the greatest commandment, then what would be the greatest sin? It must be the failure to love, because that would be breaking the greatest commandment. Love is the greatest virtue and the greatest commandment. It is the greatest testimony!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

No Detour from Calvary

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6–7)

You would think that if God so rules the world as to use an empire-wide census to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, he surely could have seen to it that a room was available in the inn.

Yes, he could have. He absolutely could have! And Jesus could have been born into a wealthy family. He could have turned stone into bread in the wilderness. He could have called 10,000 angels to his aid in Gethsemane. He could have come down from the cross and saved himself. The question is not what God could do, but what he willed to do.

God’s will was that though Christ was rich, yet for your sake he became poor. The “No Vacancy” signs over all the motels in Bethlehem were for your sake. “For your sake he became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

God rules all things — even hotel capacities and available Airbnbs — for the sake of his children. The Calvary road begins with a “No Vacancy” sign in Bethlehem and ends with the spitting and scoffing of the cross in Jerusalem.

And we must not forget that he said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross” (Luke 9:23).

We join him on the Calvary road and hear him say, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).

To the one who calls out enthusiastically, “I will follow you wherever you go!” Jesus responds, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:57–58).

Yes, God could have seen to it that Jesus have a room at his birth. But that would have been a detour off the Calvary road.

John Piper