21st December 2025

A Ukrainian Christmas 

Glory to God in the highest!

Luke 2:14 

Today's Bible Reading: Luke 2:6-14.

I was fascinated to read an article in a mission magazine, about Christmas in Ukraine. Apparently, the people of Ukraine include many wonderful elements in their observance of Christmas. Sometimes wisps of hay are placed on the dinner table as a reminder of the Bethlehem manger. Another portion of their celebration echoes the events of the night when the Saviour entered the world. A Christmas prayer is offered and then the father in the household offers the greeting, “Christ is born!” The family then responds, “Let us glorify Him!”

These words draw my mind to the appearance of the angels in the sky over Bethlehem that first Christmas night. The angel of the Lord declared, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The heavenly host responded, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (v14).

Those twin messages give such depth of meaning to this wonderful time of year. The Saviour has come bringing forgiveness, hope and salvation. Furthermore, He is deserving and worthy of all the worship we can give Him.

May all who know the wonder of His gift of eternal life join with the voices of that angelic host declaring, “Glory to God in the highest!”

Prayer:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You are indeed worthy of praise and much thanksgiving for Christmas. In the Saviour's name, I pray. Amen.

20th December 2025

Christmas Child

He made Himself of no reputation,

taking the form of a bondservant,

and coming in the likeness of men.  

Philippians 2:7  

Today's Bible Reading: Philippians 2:6–11.

Imagine the One who made cedars spring from seeds starting life over as an embryo; the One who made the stars submitting Himself to a womb; the One who fills the heavens becoming what would be in our day a mere dot on an ultrasound. Jesus, in very nature God, making Himself nothing (Philippians 2:6–7). What an astonishing thought!

Imagine the scene as He is born in a plain peasant village, among shepherds and angels and bright lights in the sky, with the bleating of animals His first lullabies. Watch as He grows in favour and stature: as a youngster, astounding teachers with answers to grand questions; as a young man at the Jordan, getting His Father’s approval from heaven; and in the wilderness, as He wrestles in hunger and prayer.

Watch next as He launches His world-changing mission—healing the sick, touching lepers, forgiving the impure. Watch as He kneels in a garden in anguish, and as they arrest Him while His closest friends flee. Watch as He is spat on and nailed to two wooden posts, the world’s sins on His shoulders. Then watch, as the stone rolls away, to reveal an empty tomb, because He is alive! Watch as He is lifted to the highest place (v 9). Watch as His name fills heaven and earth (10–11).

This Maker of the stars who became a dot on an ultrasound. This, our Christmas Child.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for making Yourself nothing so I could be forgiven my sins, and be saved for Heaven. I lift this prayer, in Your precious name. Amen.

19th December 2025

The Sign In The Sky 

Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy . . . 

 Luke 2:9

Today's Bible Reading:  Luke 2:8-20.

In Luke 2, the Bible introduces us to a group of shepherds, who are out in the fields at night, keeping a protective eye on the flocks with which they have been entrusted. For them, this was just another boring night with the sheep. Then, suddenly, the sky was filled with light. An angel descended from Heaven, clothed with light. The normalcy of that tranquil evening was shattered, and the Bible says, “they were greatly afraid” (v 9). That phrase means that they were, “seized with great fear” and with a desire to run away. They were terrified! After calming them, the angel proclaims to them the Good News of the Saviour's birth (v 10).

But how are the shepherds to know that the angel's message is true? The angel gives them an authentication test, a sign, in Luke 2:12 the Bible says; “This will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

The sign consists of two elements. The baby is: 1. Wrapped in cloths, and 2. Lying in a manger.

The swaddling clothes are "strips of cloth like bandages, wrapped around young infants to keep their limbs straight." In those days, there was nothing unique about being wrapped this way. However, the second sign is that the newborn would be found in a manger, a feeding trough that is unique! A manger indicates the location in some kind of stable, or a stable in a cave. When the shepherds hurried down into Bethlehem, they found things just as the angel had told them.

I believe that God chose the shepherds because He wanted to show that His love and His grace is available to all; that He is no respecter of persons. He does not show more respect to kings than He does to hourly wageworkers.

But today, I ask you directly: What are you doing with this "Good News of great joy"? How much have you shared it?

Prayer: Father, thank You for this glimpse into the glorious announcement of your Son's birth, heralded by an army of angels. All heaven rejoices! Thank you. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.