Advent

Sunday, December 11

God with us is now residing, yonder shines the infant light
From Angels, from the Realms of Glory

By Rev. Dr. Bill Wright

God with us is now residing / Yonder shines the infant light” is addressed to “you” shepherds, and so addresses us as well, “in the fields abiding, watching over your flocks by night.” “Abiding” carries the senses both of dwelling, but also waiting-for. We are just biding our time, resigned to make our home here. Physically here, at least, we watch-over our charges and duties; but in our present darkness the focus of our care and attention glazes over, over-looking our various sheep toward something invisible, uni­maginable.

In gentle contrast to our abiding in the darkness, God-with-us (the literal meaning of “Immanuel”) “is now residing.” Like and yet unlike us, the Christ now resides here, suggesting to remain in a place as a visitor, and to remain fixed in a position or office (OED). Like a doctor doing her residency, the “newborn King” dwells only lightly in the dimness of the here and now, with the certainty that all the weight/brilliance of glory (kabod/doxa) resides in the future realm: “Though an Infant now we view Him / He shall fill His Fa­ther’s throne.” To have faith in the nascent Christ is to dwell by the light of the future promise. By this faith, “by the infant light,” we can tend our sheep for what they are. Our jobs and chores are not our ultimate calling, the economy is not our true realm, and our lonely fields are not a final home.

Prayer: Coming Christ, lead us from our fields to the sabbatical “yonder” of your presence, your glory, so that we may “come and worship” our true King; and let us, like the shepherds, return to our fields “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (Luke 2). Amen

Saturday, December 10

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
From O Come, All Ye Faithful

By Hannah W.

Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!” Luke 2:13-14

I think “O, Come, all ye Faithful” is a great hymn. It shows how God gives us joy and the wonder of Jesus’ birth. I love singing this at Christmastime, and I love Christmas in general.

“O, come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.” He deserves all our praise and thanksgiving. Jesus is the Word of God, now in the flesh! It is wonderful to think of that glorious night when Jesus was born in a manger!

There are many things you could take from this song, but I think the main points would be that we should give God glory and praise, that He is holy, and Jesus is born!

“Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation.” I looked up the defini­tion of exultation. It is basically to feel and express joy and tri­umph. I think that is what we do when we sing this lovely hymn! It draws God nearer to us. I challenge you to show God’s love to someone else in your own way.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for Jesus Christ, and that You sent Him here to Earth to be a light to this world. Help me to be that way to others, and to stand firm in my faith. Thank You for the joy we can find in You, may all the glory and praise be to You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Friday, December 9

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
From Away in a Manger

By Jennifer K.

When we brought Aiden Elliott home from the hospital, I knew Chris had fallen madly, deeply, truly in love with him. I knew his heart would be broken and never heal if Aiden Elliott was re­turned to his parents. But I also knew there was a very good chance that’s what would happen. We were his foster parents, his temporary family.

That first night when I held that tiny baby in my arms, I looked into his eyes and prayed, “Lord, please be with us! Please help us fol­low your plan. Please be with us.” Every night before I laid him in his bed, I would look into his face and say that prayer. It gave me a great sense of peace to know that God was with me, and I was learning to travel His path. I hoped Chris was finding God’s path and peace, but I would pray for him also.

When I saw this line on the devotional list, it really stuck out to me. I realized I had pretty much been saying this same line over and over again. “Be Near Me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to Stay.” And He was, and is and ever shall be.

Prayer: Lord, please be with us! Please help us follow your plan. Please be with us.

Thursday, December 8

Radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace.
From Silent Night

by Jeff G.

Silent Night is my favorite Christmas hymn. I have wonderful memories of singing it by candlelight at Christmas Eve services across the years.

When I became a dad, Silent Night took on new meaning for me. It became the gentle lullaby I sang to our baby, Mallory, as she drifted off to sleep in my arms at night.

Even as I enjoy singing Silent Night to another beautiful baby for the first time this Christmas, the words of this precious hymn remind me that the Advent season is one of preparation for and reflection on God’s greatest gift. Christ’s birth indeed represents the dawn of God’s new covenant.

It is the dawn of redemption for loving God less than we love the smaller things of this world. It is the dawn of grace—the love of God poured out to us that is neither deserved nor earned but rather is presented as a gift.

As we celebrate Christ’s birth, may we experience again God’s redemptive, gracious love for us. May this dawn of redeeming grace humble our hearts and revive our spirits for lives of grateful service to our loving God.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your dawn of redeeming grace, sent to us through the precious Christ child. Open our hearts and lives to fully receive your wonderful gift. Amen.

Wednesday, December 7

Then He smiled at me, pa­rum­pa­pum­pum, me and my drum.
From Little Drummer Boy

By Rev. Arlene Franks

As a child, I always looked forward to watching the 1968 Rankin-Bass Christmas TV special The Little Drummer Boy. It dramatizes the song, telling the tale of a boy, Aaron, who has been orphaned and sold into slavery. He’s been so emotionally damaged by life’s events that he builds a shell around himself. Refusing to smile, or even talk much, he ferociously states to his master, “I hate all people!”

With just his drum and his lamb to keep him company, the boy takes on a journey of life-changing proportions. He and his captors meet the wise men who are following the star to the manger where the Christ child lies.

When they get there, he sees the others giving the baby gifts of great magnitude, but he is ashamed because he has nothing of value. Then, remembering that he does have one thing to give the baby, he begins to play his drum. The baby Jesus smiles, and his life is changed forever.

I felt such relief each year when once again, he felt the love of a family in the parents’ nodding to the music and the Christ Child’s smile.

I know what it’s like to not be able to give the gifts of things—gold, expensive perfumes, fancy electronics. And I am far richer in that regard than most of the world, and in fact, much of this country. But I’ve learned along the way that if I give of myself without self­ishness or guile, it is enough. Christ’s love for me and you is given freely, unconditionally, without expectations of anything in return. We, too, are asked to give extravagantly of ourselves, not because we must, but because we are able.

Prayer: God of love, God of peace, God of all good gifts, let us come to You with the gift of ourselves and take out into the world Your gifts of kindness, compassion and justice. Amen.

Tuesday, December 6

Let every heart prepare Him room!
From Joy to the World

By Sharon H.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.” God’s gift to the world , His beloved Son, Jesus, is the source of JOY to the world.

“Let earth receive her King.” With hearts filled with joy, the Magi, shepherds, and all who, by faith, followed the star to the site of the Holy birth, went on their ways to proclaim the JOYous message of Christ’s birth.

“Let every heart prepare him room” We are compelled by God to share in and spread this message of JOY. Let us do this by shar­ing God’s gift to us through family, friends, and those less fortu­nate. Make room, warm hearts, and bring JOY.

“And Heaven and nature sing . . . .” The angels, God’s messen­gers to the shepherds, resound with Heavenly hosts and proclaim a new JOY to the world—the birth of the Christ child, the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the Savior of the world. No greater JOY in the hearts of people on earth can be experienced. Too often we fail to keep Christ in Christmas by allowing earthly desires and pursuits to overshadow the real importance of the glorious season. Strive to spread the JOYous message to all humankind through thought, word, and deed.

Prayer: Lord God, our Heavenly Father, grant, we beseech you, to allow us to live our lives each day in the same manner Jesus lived His life on earth—in humility and with concern for our fellow human beings. Strengthen our faith in You that we may daily strive to spread the JOY of Your beloved Son’s birth. Amen.

Monday, December 5

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!
From O Holy Night

By Marilyn W.

Christmas – rush, rush!!! Is the shopping done? What about the decorations? The children are in a school program. There are basketball games, Christmas concerts, holiday parties, baking, cleaning, etc., etc. The extended family will be here this weekend. WHOA!!! STOP!!!

The meaning of this season – think about it. Meditate on the jour­ney of Mary and Joseph, the birth of the son of God, the shep­herds in the fields, the star. Stare at your favorite angel on the Christmas tree. Listen to Christmas carols and concentrate on the words.

O Holy Night was written in the early 1800s. The things that caused those people to be weary were different from now, but how easy it is to get caught up in those things that keep us from focus­ing on our Lord no matter what year, or time of year, it is. We live in a weary world, especially at this time of year, But we need to focus on this “thrill of hope” – hope brought to us as a baby in a manger – and rejoice.

The next line in O Holy Night is “for yonder breaks a new and glori­ous morn.” With our Savior the main focus of our lives, we can awake every day to the promise of “a new and glorious morn.” That doesn’t mean we won’t get physically weary with activities, but our attitude will be joyfully on the reason for this Christmas celebration – the birth of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, help me to focus on “the thrill of hope” and awaking each day to “a new and glorious morn.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sunday, December 4

O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind.
From O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

By Janet W.

It’s an invitation, isn’t it? That’s what strikes me most about this hauntingly beautiful Christmas hymn. The melody is full and evocative. The lyrics, to me, are just as compelling—telling the breathtaking story our Messiah’s coming to us. We could analyze words, musical notes, get ‘technical,’ but to me, it’s an invitation. The greatest invitation of all time.

I knew it was fate—writing this particular devotional. It’s been my favorite Christmas song for years. I approached the binder with my usual “let’s sign up and move on” thought process. I didn’t look over the entire binder; I simply glanced at the sign-up sheet, picking a date. One of the first blanks I saw was Dec. 4, so I filled in my name, hoping I’d get a ‘good song.’

When I saw that it was “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” I became filled with those familiar, serendipitous “chills” of Advent time. That ever-present yet always surprising, fulfilling feeling came over me— the old “this wasn’t just a coincidence” feeling.

I’d already received my best Christmas gift of the season (that I know of so far!), and it came from the simple act of signing up to write an Advent devotion.

Not “feeling the Spirit” this Advent season? Invite Christ into your heart: O come, Emmanuel. He’s with you, but you’re not fully experiencing that presence? Invite Christ deeper into your soul: O come, O come, Emmanuel; ransom our captive souls this Christmastide.

“O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine Advent here.”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we open our hearts to invite you in this Advent. We know that You are already with us. Yet, we still need You. We humbly ask ~ we invite ~ Your Holy given Son into our presence, into everything we do this season and always. O come, O come Emmanuel. We do rejoice as You are Advent.

 

Saturday, December 3

From our fears and sins release us; Christ, in whom our rest shall be.
From Come, O Long-­expected Jesus

By Rick R.

Advent is a time of anticipation—a necessary and important part of the believer’s life.

Preparation is a key action associated with this anticipation. In preparation for Christ’s first appearance, John the Baptist provided a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). Crowds were coming to receive John’s baptism (it was, after all, the popular thing to do); but, he saw that the people were not pre­pared for the coming of Christ. There was no evidence in their life­styles that they understood Christ’s message. After calling them “a brood of vipers” (Luke 3:7), John the Baptist went on to say “Bear fruits worthy of repentance.” (Luke 3:8)

As believers, our preparation for Christ’s return involves not only acceptance of Jesus Christ as our savior and genuine repentance of sin; but, also living a lifestyle of “repentance”—an altering of what we rely upon in life, of what we hope for, of what we are counting on for help, and of what we are counting on for salvation. We can rest in the knowledge that Jesus paid the price and died for us. His precious blood releases us from our “fears and sins”.

Celebrate Christmas by preparing the way for His return. Rejoice in the fact that Jesus is the risen Christ. We sing “Come, O Long-expected Jesus” in anticipation of the return of our Lord, Jesus. Share this good news with those around you—tell the world that He lives and is coming again, bringing a message of hope, love, and justice!

Prayer: We bring you more than just our song, we bring a heart of worship, for it’s all about You, Jesus. Show us how to live a life of repentance, pleasing to You. Guide us in the paths of righteous­ness for Your name’s sake. Make us a light unto an unsaved world and use us as living witnesses to those individuals in our sphere of influence. Thank you, Lord, that your purposes are always accom­plished. Amen.

Friday, December 2

So come, our Sovereign; enter in!
From Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates

By Rev. Arlene Franks

Advent, as we know, is a time of anticipation and preparation. We are anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, and we are pre­paring our hearts and lives for Christ to enter in.

This 17th century hymn is based on Psalm 24, in which David calls the people to prepare the city of Jerusalem for the arrival of the Ark of the Covenant. “Open the gates of the city, so that the Lord may enter!” the Psalm implores.”Let God dwell here and be your Lord.” This hymn uses the imagery of opening the gates of the city and calls us to open the gates of our hearts so that Jesus the Christ may enter and dwell within us. When we sing this hymn, we invite the Savior in:

“So come, my Sovereign, enter in! Let new and nobler life begin! Thy Holy Spirit, guide us on, until the glorious crown be won.”

This Advent, will you let Christ in? Will you make room for the Sav­ior in your hearts, in your lives, in your homes? Will you bring a Christian heart with you to your workplace, while running errands, when you’re shopping? Finally, will you share the heart of Christ with the people you meet each day—your family, your children’s teachers, your co-workers, friends and even strangers? We have no greater gift to give the Christ Child but ourselves. Be the most wonderful gift you can be.

Prayer: Come, our sovereign enter in; make us vessels of your love and grace. Let us share Your gift with the world. Amen.