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Today's Devotional

Unto us a child is born—Isaiah 9:6 (KJV).

Let us contemplate the child Jesus, the circumstances of his birth, and the persons to whom he was born.

He was a promised child. The seed of the woman was to bruise the serpent’s head [Genesis 3:14]. “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” [Isaiah 7:14]. He was a divine child, “God with us” [Matthew 1:23]; “God manifest in flesh” [1 Timothy 3:16]. He was a holy child, “the holy child Jesus,” [Acts 4:27] and “the holy One” [Acts 3:14]. He was “without sin” [Hebrews 4:15] and could challenge the world, “Which of you convicts me of sin?” [John 8:46]. He was an only child, “Only begotten” [John 3:16]. Isaac was a type of him, and God commanded him to be offered in sacrifice; yet Isaac was spared [Genesis 22], but God spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all. O my soul, will you not go to Bethlehem, and see this holy child?

The circumstances of his birth were remarkable. The scepter had departed from Judah, and that kingdom had become a Roman province. The second temple was still standing, and the Lord must come into it and give it, by his presence, greater glory than the first [Haggai 2:9]. The place of his birth was remarkable. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, but the decree of Caesar brought them to Bethlehem [Luke2]. The interest his birth excited on earth was remarkable. The wise men, guided by a strange star, came from a far country, and worshiped him and presented their gifts; while Herod the king was troubled and slew the infants of Bethlehem [Matthew 2]. It also excited interest in heaven. An angel descended and announced his birth to the shepherds, and a host of angels sang his praises, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men” [Luke 2]. My reader, what interest does the birth of this child excite in you?

To whom was this child was born? “Unto us” [Isaiah 9:6]. He was born in our nature. He is bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh; and everyone may claim him as a brother [Hebrews 2:11]. He was born our Savior. “Unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” [Luke 2:11] He is our gift from the Father: “My Father gives to you the true bread from heaven” [John 6:32]. By invitations, commands, and warnings he is pressed on our acceptance. He is ours in possession by faith. As God’s unspeakable gift  to us [2 Corinthians 9:15], we must receive him [John 1:12] and claim him as our Savior. Was the child Jesus born to save me, and shall I not hold him fast and refuse to let him go? I take Jesus in my arms. He is “my Lord and my God” [John 20:28].

About the author and the source

When Hugh Baird wrote Beaten Oil, it was with the intent of explaining more fully the Scripture he selected for the day than did most other devotional books.