For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Dear Lord Jesus, a most glorious and praised-filled “Happy birthday” to you! Though you’ve existed forever in rich, joyful, pleasure-filled relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, today we celebrate your coming to us and for us. You are the long-time-promised and much-longed-for Christ—the Messiah. Every promise God has made finds its fulfillment—its unequivocal “Yes!” in you. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
With brothers and sisters throughout the world, and those presently in heaven, we rejoice in the day angels “harked,” shepherds ran, and Mary pondered the very good news which fills our hearts this morning. What a blessed and beloved people we are—a people upon whom God’s favor rests, in whom he greatly delights and over whom he sings with great rejoicing!
We praise you for being born in Bethlehem, the “house of bread,” for we were a famished people, binge eating at many empty buffets, spending our money “for that which is not bread” (Isa. 55:2). But you came as the Bread of Life, and you’ve brought the feast of the gospel to our souls. Now we are truly satisfied, as with the richest of fare and the finest cuisine—with the nourishment which stirs within us our longing for the day we will see you again—Bridegroom to Bride! Oh, hasten that glorious Day of banquet and beauty!
Indeed, we praise you for entering our world in the town of David, Israel’s beloved shepherd-king. For what King David could never be, you’ve become for us—the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep; and now you care for us with relentless tenderness and persistent kindness.
And as the King of kings and Lord of lords, you are presently reigning over all things and working in all things, for your glory and our good. Hallelujah, many, many times over! No other kingdom is everlasting but yours; no other King is as loving. Knowing these things to be true, we have a peace which passes all understanding, mercies which cannot be measured, and grace upon grace upon grace!
Oh, for the Day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that you are Lord, to the glory of God the Father! Happy birthday, indeed, Lord Jesus. You are so easy to love and so worthy to be adored. So very Amen we pray, in your matchless and merciful name.
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