Dear Friends,

What does Christmas really mean? Sales? Gifts? Parties? Isn’t there something much more important? Today’s devotional will provide the answer and help you focus on the real meaning of Christmas. God bless you.

Because of Calvary,
John Janney

• Isaiah 61:1

  Isaiah 61:1  English Standard Version (ESV)
  The Year of the Lord’s Favor
  61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
  because the Lord has anointed me
  to bring good news to the poor;[a]
  he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
  to proclaim liberty to the captives,
  and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;[b]

Isaiah 61:1

“COME, THOU LONG-EXPECTED JESUS”

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a Child, and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
[Charles Wesley (1707-1788)]