Friday within the Octave of the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord
Posted on December 29, 2023 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 2:1-14 (NKJV)
2:1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Devotion
The good tidings and great joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to be to all people. The virgin birth of the true Christ was to be a great blessing of promises answered to the Jews. They were to have kept the faith of the Holy Scriptures, remember God’s promises to their forefathers, and bring up their little ones in the teaching and covenant of the Lord. For all the other nations of the world, this Gospel was to be proclaimed among them so that they might know the true God who made all things and would have all men repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.
Unfortunately, only some hear and believe. Only some receive the good tidings and great joy. Too many others are stiff-necked and hardhearted, rejecting Christ and ignoring God’s Word. Those who disregard the Gospel of Jesus Christ miss the blessings and joy that God desires to give them.
This is why it is important that every year—and throughout the year—God’s faithful people continue to live according to His Word and support the teaching of the Church, so that more and more people might continue to hear this great message of Jesus Christ and believe on Him by the gracious power of His Holy Spirit!
Collect: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new Birth of Thine Only-Begotten Son in the flesh may set us free who are held in the old bondage under the yoke of sin; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
