“Redeemed” does not sound like a “Christmas” word. It seems like it belongs instead with Easter, but the more we look at the Christmas story, the more we see that the celebrating on that first Christmas revolved around redemption. Remember what Mary said when she found out she was going to be the mother of Jesus? “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47). Remember what the angels said to the shepherds? “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). They celebrated the birth of a Savior, a Redeemer, the One whom God promised would bring about the salvation of Israel. Now they may not have understood right then exactly how Jesus would be their Savior, but they did understand that God was going to work in the world in a special way. The baby in the manger was a symbol of redemption for them—and today for us, as Jesus came to redeem us from the prison of sin. In a way, the hymn “Redeemed How I Love to Proclaim It” is as much a Christmas carol as “Silent Night.”
In your prayer time, thank God for providing salvation not only for us, but also for this whole world through Jesus. Thank Him for redeeming you, and ask Him to help you proclaim that redemption to a world that desperately needs to hear it.
I think of my blessed Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long;
I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song.
Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed, His child, and forever, I am.
- Fanny Crosby
