Detecting Christmas December 23 Devotional

Matthew 2:14-15 | ¹⁴ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, ¹⁵ and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’

God called Israel out of Egypt with plagues and wonders, through the leadership of Moses. Israel was his “Son,” collectively. Jesus too was called, with Mary and Joseph, out of hiding in Egypt, when the murderous Herod breathed his last. This is a parallel with a difference. Jesus will fulfill the life of Israel, its mission and its Torah, in his work and ministry. He’ll free all of us not just from physical slavery but from sin and death. Amazingly the Bethlehem birth, and all the other events of Jesus’ life, now became part of the divine biography. Bethlehem is part of the life of God, who comes alongside us in all life’s experiences.

Praise God that the more knows of his life, the more mysterious and marvelous it becomes. Hallelujah.

Gracious God,

Thank you for choosing to be with us and for us in Christ. Thank you that his first century life and death are part of your divine life and story. Amen.