The Magic of Christmas / Day 25

The Magic Of Christmas

Day 25 of 25 "Born a Zero" It’s finally here . . . Christmas Day! There’s a special magic about this most special of days, isn’t there? Why is that? Is it because of all the presents, decorations, meals, and gatherings of friends and families? Yes, but there is so much more . . . It’s because today, around the world, we celebrate the birth of a Savior! According to Isaiah 9:6–7, one would assume the prophet was predicting the birth of an earthly king, complete with fanfare, parades, and feasts! But God had different plans. Jesus, the Messiah, would not be born with the celebration of a hero. He would be born a zero. He was not born of wealth, power, or privilege. He was not even born indoors, but in a barn, surrounded by livestock, to an unwed teenager. He was not born like a king. Isaiah 53:2–3: “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” Not a hero. A total zero. But that was the brilliance of God’s ultimate gift to us: our Savior’s true beauty, strength, and purpose would be made evident through his teaching, compassion, love, and, ultimately, his sacrifice. Christ came to and existed on earth through the lowliest of means in order to experience our own joys, pains, passions, and sorrows firsthand. It put him on a level playing field with each of us. So, today, we celebrate the birth of a King—but not any king. The King of Kings, who can truly understand our greatest joys and deepest pains. Something tells me that today, you are experiencing one of those emotions. Today might be filled with joy. Or today might be the toughest day of the year. But in the eyes of your heavenly Father, you are not a zero and never will be. You are a precious, loved, and cherished child of God, and you were created in his image. YOU are a gift in his eyes, and I pray you find comfort in that truth. May the peace of Christ be with you today, and Merry Christmas! Reid Greven Media Isaiah 9:6-7 Isaiah 53:2-3 Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace Isaiah 53:2-3 NKJV 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected by men,