December 25, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." — Isaiah 7:14 · KJV

Let us today go down to Bethlehem, and in company with wondering shepherds and adoring Magi, let us see Him who was born King of the Jews; for by faith we can claim an interest in Him, and can sing, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Jesus is Yahweh incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our brother and friend; let us adore and admire. Let us note, at the very first glance, His miraculous conception. It was a thing unheard of before, and unparalleled since, that a virgin should conceive and bear a Son. The first promise ran thus: "the seed of the woman" — not the offspring of the man. Since venturesome woman led the way in the sin that brought about Paradise lost, she, and she alone, ushers in the Regainer of Paradise. Our Savior, though truly man, was, as to His human nature, the Holy One of God. Let us reverently bow before the holy Child, whose innocence restores to manhood its ancient glory; and let us pray that He may be formed in us, the hope of glory. Do not fail to note His humble parentage. His mother is described simply as "a virgin" — not a princess, nor a prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True, the blood of kings ran in her veins; nor was her mind weak and untaught, for she could sing most sweetly a song of praise; yet how humble her position, how poor the man to whom she was betrothed, and how miserable the accommodation given to the newborn King! Immanuel — God with us: in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and the splendor of the second coming.