READ: ISAIAH 9:6-7; 53:3-12; MATTHEW 1:21-23; PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11

Every Christmas, when I read about the coming of Christ, I linger over the beautiful, contrasting descriptions of how Jesus draws near to us, even though He is holy. It’s truly a profound mystery—for Jesus IS a paradox. These contrasts led me to write today’s poem (which is also a song for me personally) because at Christmas, we celebrate history’s most incredible contrast: God Himself being born, fully human, as a sacrificial Savior—while also ruling the universe as highest Lord and King. I hope meditating on these paradoxes in Scripture will help us see how God may sometimes draw us near in unexpected ways to help us experience true fullness of joy, perhaps in losing our life to save it (John 15:11; Luke 9:24).

Holy Child, the Prince of Peace,
O promised Savior King!
Come to fill our hearts with joy—
O Man of Suffering!

Mighty God, a virgin’s child,
Maker of stars who cried;
Creation groaned to see it so—
Yet Christ was glorified!

Slain for the world He fashioned,
God’s holy arm laid bare;
Come to free us from the curse—
To conquer dark despair!

Jesus Christ, begotten Son,
Risen that we might be…
Freed from sorrow, sin, and grave—
Made new eternally!

Come now, come see,
on bended knee—
Rejoice, O earth and sing!
Our guilt and shame He cast away—
Hail Jesus, Savior King! • G. Kam Congleton

• Jesus is fully God, and He is also fully human—what a paradox! Those two statements seem to contradict, but both are equally true. Which of the paradoxes about Jesus from today’s poem catches your attention?

• What questions do you have about paradoxes in the Bible? Who are trusted Christians you could talk to about this?

• If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 2:1-2; Romans 8:22-23; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 13:8; 21:1-5; 22:1-5

The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:10 (NIV)

READ: LEVITICUS 19:18; ROMANS 12:14-21; COLOSSIANS 3:12-15

A friend and I returned from Christmas shopping. I checked my jewelry box. Another pair of new earrings was missing! I had been excited about wearing them to school on Monday. I told my mother, and she discovered it was that same friend, who I’ll call Josie. My heart hurt that one of my best friends was stealing from me. I had trusted her. We shared meals and secrets, but she stole from me. I was so mad I felt like I couldn’t forgive her. At school, she was always smiling. My anger and bitterness didn’t cause her pain. I was miserable while she was happy.

Later, I learned that Jesus Christ came to earth to die in my place for my sins and rise again to give me new life. I chose to admit my wrongdoing, receive His forgiveness, and follow Christ. I knew that I had been forgiven much—and that Jesus called me to forgive others as well.

I wanted Josie to apologize to me so I could forgive her, but I realized that I can forgive her no matter what she does. It felt like forgiving her meant we had to be great friends again. But while forgiveness is freely given, trust is earned. It’s okay to let go of the hurt in my heart without inviting someone who has stolen from me back into my house. It felt like I should hold back forgiveness to punish her, but the Bible tells us that revenge belongs to the Lord. When I hold resentment in my heart, the only person it hurts is me.

As Christmas approaches, I remember that Jesus was born to bring us forgiveness. Since He laid down His life to offer me forgiveness, He will empower me to forgive others. Jesus was born to bring peace on earth (Luke 2:14), and letting go of unforgiveness brings peace to my heart. • Mary Schilling

• Are you struggling to forgive someone who has hurt you? Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about the wrongs that have been done to you. Jesus grieves our hurts with us, and one way He helps us heal is by helping us let go of unforgiveness. And as we reflect on how much God has forgiven us, we often find it becomes easier to forgive others. You can thank Him for forgiving you, and you could even try picturing God’s forgiveness flowing through you to others.

• God will punish every sin at judgment day—but the sins of those who trust in Jesus have already been paid for by Jesus’s death on the cross. How might knowing that God will handle every wrong in His perfect justice help us let go of the desire to punish someone? (Psalm 86:5; Proverbs 20:22)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

READ: ISAIAH 7:14; MATTHEW 1:18-23; 28:20

When I entered the auditorium, my stomach fluttered with nervous energy. But spotting Debbie in the audience reminded me that a friend would be there cheering me on.

During my first year at college, I was a drum major in the marching band. Then, near the end of that school year, I tried out again for the position of drum major, hoping to continue in this role.

Auditions took place in a large auditorium and were open to the public. Debbie had been mentoring me in my faith that year, and I asked her for prayers for the upcoming tryouts. She agreed to pray but also committed to more. Debbie told me I could count on her presence in that auditorium. When I walked into the building on the day of tryouts, my friend and mentor had already taken her seat and greeted me with a wide smile. Debbie showed up for me, and she showed up to be with me.

One of my favorite ways the Bible refers to Jesus is as Immanuel, meaning “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). When we trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness for our sins, we enter a new relationship with God as our Father. Sin no longer separates us from Him because Jesus has bridged that gap through His death and resurrection. In this relationship with God, as His children, we can count on Him to be available to us with His power and comfort. Yet Christ offers more than the opportunity to lean on God’s wisdom and look to Him for compassion. In the Person of Christ, God has come to be with us—walking alongside us, suffering with us, rejoicing with us. Though Debbie supported me from the audience, Jesus was right there with me on stage as I performed. • Allison Wilson Lee

• Jesus came to be “God with us.” Why is this good news? What encouragement does it give us?

• Where in your life do you need to experience Jesus as Immanuel right now? Maybe you’re facing an overwhelming decision, a season of loneliness, or a tough situation that calls for perseverance. Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about whatever is on your mind.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV)