Devotional for the Ninth Day of Christmas

Devotional for the Ninth Day of Christmas

Verse
Psalm 72:10–11 (ESV)
“May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!”

Meditation
The ninth day of Christmas turns the Church outward, toward the nations. Psalm 72 proclaims a king whose reign is unlike all others. His rule is marked by righteousness, justice, and care for the poor. Kings bring tribute not because they are conquered, but because they recognize true authority. This is the reign of the Messiah, whose dominion extends to the ends of the earth.

Isaiah calls Jerusalem to arise and shine, not by her own strength, but because the glory of the LORD has risen upon her. Darkness still covers the peoples, yet God’s light draws them in. Nations come. Kings are led by the brightness of His rising. The gifts they bring are signs of worship, not wealth alone.

Matthew shows this promise fulfilled as wise men from the East follow the star to Bethlehem. They kneel before a child, offering gold and incense, confessing with their bodies what faith already knows: this child is King. Paul later names this mystery plainly. In Christ, Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise.

The Magi return by another way, changed by what they have seen. So does everyone who meets Christ. The light that leads us to Him sends us back into the world, bearing witness that the King has come for all.

New Testament Verse
Ephesians 3:6 (ESV)
“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

Old Testament Verse
Isaiah 60:3 (ESV)
“And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

Collect
O God, who by the leading of a star revealed Your Son to the nations, grant that we who know Him by faith may walk in the light of His truth and bear witness to His saving reign; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Verse
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold,
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led by Thee.

(“As with Gladness Men of Old” — William C. Dix, 1860; public domain)