A Prayer for Christmas Day
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:14-18 (NIV)
Jesus Christ is born! Hallelujah!
We give you thanks, O God, for the birth of our Savior!
We thank you that Jesus, the divine Son, shared in our humanity so that he might break the power of death. We thank you for the freedom we have through him.
On this day when we celebrate the visit of angels to the shepherds—when angels decorate our homes, Christmas trees, and churches—we’re thankful that Jesus was born, not to help the angels, but to help us: fallible, sinful, enslaved, and suffering human beings.
Today we marvel at the mystery of Incarnation, God becoming human in every way in Jesus. What a wonder . . . and all for us!
We thank you, Lord Jesus, that in your humanity you know what life is like for us. You know temptation. You know suffering. Yes, you understand. And you are able and eager to help us. How grateful we are!
All praise, glory, and honor be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Word of God Incarnate, Son of God, Savior of the world! Amen.
Explore more at the Theology of Work Project online
commentary:
In the Beginning was the Word (John 1:1-18)
Mark D. Roberts
Senior Strategist
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders,...