I read several years ago about a woman who hurriedly purchased 50 Christmas cards without looking at the message inside. She quickly signed and addressed all but one, and then dropped them in a mailbox. Just imagine her dismay when later she glanced inside the one unmailed card and read these words:

This card is just to say

A little gift is on the way.

No doubt there were 49 people wondering what happened to their presents.

How different was God's promise to us! Many years before the Savior was born, the Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah, saying, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). And in verse 6 of chapter 9 we read, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given." Did God keep His word? Indeed He did! Galatians 4:4 states, "When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son."

On this special day, as we commemorate the birth of Christ, let's thank God that He meant what He said. He not only promised, but He also gave. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).    — Richard De Haan