Daily EncouragementSample

The Son of God is the son of Mary. Here is the wonder, the mystery, the glory of the Incarnation. Here is the meaning of Christmas. Not to the rich or wise did he come:

Nay but to her who with a sweet thanksgiving
Took in tranquillity what God might bring,
Blessed Him and waited, and within her living
Felt the arousal of a Holy Thing.

Ay for her infinite and endless honour
Found the Almighty in this flesh a tomb,
Pouring with power of the Holy Ghost upon her,
Nothing disdainful of the virgin’s womb.
(F. W. H. Myers)

The son of Mary is the Son of God. He who moves among the lampstands with eyes like blazing fire, is he who walked the hills of Galilee. He who speaks to the churches with infinite authority is he who died on Calvary’s tree - “I am the Living one; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever” (Rev. 1:18).

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: “God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim. 3:16, AV). Luther brings the truth home in his characteristic way:

There is no God but He,
Who lay upon his mother’s knee
And sucked the Virgin’s breasts.