And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
Romans 15:12 (ESV)
Lord Jesus, today is that day bustling with activity as we prepare to celebrate Your arrival in this world tomorrow. Homes are adorned with decorations, manger scenes galore are displayed everywhere, and trees are jam packed with gifts wrapped in colorful paper. All of this in anticipation of the gaiety of enjoying loved ones while drinking eggnog and swapping signs of their affection.
As I reflect upon the significance of the day and what You are doing in my midst, my soul stands in awe. Though the commercialization of this day has reached an all-time high, it is not lost on me that it is the most celebrated holiday in the world. Believer and unbeliever alike will take part in the festivities tomorrow. And in this, I can see Your fingerprints, how You are bringing all of creation to that day where You shall be glorified as God of all! You declared that this gospel shall be proclaimed to every nation (Matthew 24:14). And whether people believe it or not, they know what Christmas represents! And my soul cries out, come Lord JESUS!
So today, on this Christmas Eve, as my heart prepares to bring to culmination the joy I get in celebrating Your arrival in the flesh, I pray that You would take Your rightful place as King and Ruler of all creation. You are our all-in-all plus nothing, the hope of all creation. By coming in the flesh, You not only fully and completely represented us, You became the perfect substitution for us, living like we could not and paying the debt that we could not.
And it is not lost on me how today is not yet Christmas. Tomorrow is. And it is in this already/not yet state that I live in. Today I am not yet perfected in You. But tomorrow I will be! And so I celebrate You, Lord Jesus, because I love You so much and am so grateful for what You are doing and WILL do in me! Praises be unto You! Hallelujah! AMEN!