2025 Advent Devotion: Day 24

Wednesday, December 24

Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14

Christmas is a time to remember who God is and what He has done. The writer of Psalm 96 reminds us of who God is by giving us a description of God’s unmatched character. In this psalm we are told of God’s greatness (v. 4), of his splendor and majesty (v. 6), of his glory and strength (v. 7), and of his sovereign reign over creation (v. 10). These attributes stir us to “sing to the Lord, bless his name, tell of his salvation from day to day,” and to ascribe glory to Him (v. 2, 7-8). The psalmist commands us to declare God’s glory among “the nations” and his marvelous works “among all the peoples” (v. 3). The good news of God’s majesty and splendor elicits reverence from us (v. 9) and trust that the Lord will “judge the peoples with equity” (v. 10), “the world in righteousness, and the peoples in faithfulness” (v. 13).

The psalmist tells us who God is, and the prophet Isaiah reminds us of what God has zealously done in giving a regal Son who brings peace and is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Furthermore, the apostle Paul tells us that “God’s grace has appeared, bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11). This grace is named Jesus, and he “gave Himself for us to redeem us” (v. 14). We now wait for his glorious reappearance (v. 13).

As we remember the birth of Jesus in the past and wait with “blessed hope” for his return in the future (Titus 2:13), let’s remember that God’s light continues to shine in the darkness in the present. Today, He offers help and hope to those walking in darkness (Isaiah 9:2), and He brings peace where there is chaos. Darkness and chaos will not have the last word. Our righteous and faithful Creator and Judge of all the earth will have the last word.

This Christmas Eve, gather with your family and friends and remember who God is and what He has done for you. Remember the light that He brings to darkness, His grace freely available to all peoples and nations, and His royal, virgin-born Son, who is the “light of the world” (John 8:12) and who “takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).



Josh Parrott
Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service