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And there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 11:1–2, MEV

Out of the dead stump of Jesse will arise a new glorious king. A king greater than Jesse’s son, David. The promised Messiah, our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. This was the promise fulfilled over two thousand years ago, when God entered Creation, the Son was born, and came to us Immanuel, God with us. Incarnate God, who came to live and know what it is to be human but without sin, as was the initial plan in Eden. He knows our suffering. He knows our struggles. He knows our needs. He took it all, so we could have eternity. This is the promise of Christmas as we look upon the Christ child, celebrating this blessed event as a reminder that He will come again. He will restore us all. This is the promise we proclaim. This is the hope we walk within. This is the peace that we share with the world.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.