Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem

 
Evening Devotion

DECEMBER 25

 

… Jesus was born in Bethlehem

Matthew 2:1

 
When Jesus was born, 

  we do not exactly know, 

    God hath concealed it; 

      but THAT he was born, is most plainly revealed.
 
We know where he was born, and why he was born.
 
He had eternally existed as God.
 
He was one with, and equal to the Father.
 
But he became man.
 
He was born in Bethlehem.
 
He was a weak and helpless infant, and 

   yet at the same time the Mighty God, 

      the Everlasting Father, 

         the Prince of peace.
 
Deity and humanity untied in his person.
 
He took our nature to take away our sins.
 
He became a man in order to be a Saviour.
 
He came on purpose to save sinners.
 
This was his object.
 
For this he lived, and laboured, and suffered and died.
 
He came to be our substitute.
 
He was born once, that we might be born again.
 
He died once, that we might not experience the second death, 

  but live for ever.
 
His birth was the greatest display of condescension, 

  which heaven or earth ever witnessed.
 
It was introductory to his obedient life, 

  meritorious death, 

    victorious resurrection, 

       triumphant ascension, and 

          glorious second advent.
 
He was born in Bethlehem, 

   in weakness and poverty; 

     he will soon come to earth again, 

        with power and great glory.
 

God is in our flesh reveal’d

Heaven and earth in Jesus join,

Mortal with immortal fill’d

And human with divine.

 
James Smith