Our Daily Bread Christmas: Gift Of GraceShembull

A Ukrainian Christmas. The people of Ukraine include many wonderful elements in their observance of Christmas. Sometimes wisps of hay are placed on the dinner table as a reminder of the Bethlehem manger. Another portion of their celebration echoes the events of the night when the Savior entered the world. A Christmas prayer is offered, and then the father in the household gives the greeting, “Christ is born!” The family then responds, “Let us glorify Him!” These words draw our mind to the appearance of the angels in the sky over Bethlehem on the night Christ was born. The angel of the Lord declared, “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11). The heavenly host responded, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (v. 14). Those twin messages give such depth of meaning to this wonderful time of year. The Savior has come bringing forgiveness and hope—and He is deserving of all the worship we can give Him. —Bill Crowder “Glory to God in the highest!”