The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor… comfort the brokenhearted… proclaim freedom for captives… to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. Isa. 61:1–3 (NLT)
Lord Jesus, you came to fulfill everything listed in these hope-saturated words from Isaiah. Our gratitude grows as we take your calling to heart; but our worship gets supersized as we ponder your humble birthing.
Though Mary nursed you, she depended on you for her next breath and eternal salvation. Though vulnerable and needing her comfort as a newborn, it was you who came to comfort all who mourn, including Mary.
O, holy and profound mystery—a Newborn Child has come to make all things new. Even as a babe, the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord was on you, for you are the Sovereign Lord—the King of kings and Lord of lords. The One by whom all oppression will cease, and all chains are broken.
By you, mourning is transformed into gladness, broken hearts become dancing hearts, the disfavored, become the favored of the Lord. Our dis-grace, anti-grace, void-of-grace are all replaced with full-grace. HALLELUJAH!
The meekness of your birth was a profound hint of the weakness of your death. As surely as you were placed in an unlikely crib, you were nailed to an undeserved cross—all for us. Oh, come let us trust and adore you, indeed. So very Amen we pray in your merciful and mighty name.
