Advent: Day Twenty Five – Savior

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” —Luke 2:10–11 (NRSV)

From Genesis to Revelation, God speaks His promises over creation:

I will heal and redeem you. I will be your shepherd, defender and friend. I will satisfy your hunger and give you abundant life. I will reconcile and restore you and make you whole. I promise.

Today we celebrate the miracle of the incarnation. All the fullness of heaven met earth, wrapped in the form of a baby who would grow up to alter the course of human history. Jesus, our Savior, has come. God is with us.

During these days of Advent, we’ve barely glimpsed the boundless reality of Jesus. Through Him we’ve begun to see and know God, yet so much more grace remains for us to discover as we continue walking with Him.

We find ourselves in a strange in-between time—remembering Christ’s first coming while we anticipate His return in final victory over every form of brokenness. In this sometimes uncertain period of waiting, we find assurance in the truth that all of God’s promises find a resounding yes in Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Our prayer for you today echoes Paul’s words from Ephesians 3:16–21:

May God, according to His glorious riches, empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. May Christ dwell in your heart through faith, rooting and grounding you in His love. May you have power to comprehend, with all the saints, how wide, long, high and deep His love is. May you know Christ’s unfathomable love and be filled with all the fullness of God. We glorify God, for He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or imagine. May He be glorified through you and His Church through all generations, forever and ever.

As we think back on that first Christmas, when angels filled the sky to sing the Good News of God’s expansive, extravagant love, we await the glory still to unfold. And we place our hope afresh in Jesus, in whom all the promises of God come true.

Merry Christmas!