CREC Advent Devotional - Communion of Reformed Evangelical

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Introduction to Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany
OURCHRISTIANHERITAGE CHRISTMAS:ALLTWELVEDAYS
AdventandChristmasseasonsarewithusagain.Like AswecelebrateChristmas,fewof usthinkof Christmas
theseasonsof theyearinnature,theseasonof the Dayasabeginning.FormostfamiliesChristmasisthe
ecclesiasticalcalendarandthenationalcalendarcome culminationof weeksof planning,shopping,and
fullcircle.Thisisonlyappropriatesince:“ForbyHimall anticipation.ManyarenotawarethatChristmasisbut
thingswerecreatedthatareinheavenandthatareon thefirstdayof thetwelve-daysof Christmas.
earth,visibleandinvisible,whetherthronesor EversincetheCouncilof Toursmetin567and
dominionsorprincipalitiesorpowers.Allthingswere proclaimedthetwelvedaysfromChristmastoEpiphany
createdthroughHimandforHim.AndHeisbeforeall asasacredandfestivetime,theChurchofficiallyhas
things,andinHimallthingsconsist.AndHeisthehead observedbothanAdventseasoninpreparationfor,anda
of thebody,thechurch,whoisthebeginning,the Christmasseasonforthecelebrationof ourLord’s
firstbornfromthedead,thatinallthingsHemayhave nativity.RecognizinghowtheChurchyeardramatizesthe
thepreeminence”(Col.1:16-18). biblicalstoryof whatChristhasdoneforthesalvationof
Theseareseasonsof annualfocusandremembrance. allpeople,wehavebeentryingtorecoversomeof the
Butasistrueof allliturgyorform,itcanpointtoatrue richnessof thesecelebrations.Thechurchyearformsan
orafalsedeclaration.Thereismuchinthenational annualcurriculumthattellsthestoryof ourfaith:those
liturgythatpointsawayfromtheadventof Christ.Our whounderstanditunderstandthebasicsof thegospel.
purpose,inthesenextfewweeks,willbetodraw TheChristiancalendar,therefore,isagreatwayfor
attentiontothetruemessageof Advent,Christmasand familiestofocustheirworshipandtradition.Repeated
Epiphany.Thesearecentraleventsinthelifeof Christ traditions(withinbiblicalboundaries)helpallof us
andareprofoundlysignificantforallof humanhistory. knowandrememberwhoweare,developingouridentity
Godbecameaman.HecametorescueHispeople.This asGod’scovenantpeople.Andcelebrationof the
isworthyof allourcelebratoryefforts. themesandseasonsof thelifeandworkof Christhelps
familiesexpresstheirfaith.
ADVENT
Adventisthatperiodof greatanticipatoryjoy—itisatime EPIPHANY
of preparationforthecelebrationof Jesus’arrivalin Thetwelvedaysof Christmastraditionallyendwiththe
Bethlehemasahelplessinfant.IntheWesternliturgy, celebrationof theeveof EpiphanyonTwelfthNight,
AdventbeginsfourSundayspriortoDecember25—the Januaryfifth.Broadlyspeaking,theword“epiphany”
SundayclosesttoNovember30.Theannual meansasuddenmanifestationof theessenceormeaning
commemorationof Jesus’birthbeginstheChristmascycle of something;acomprehensionorperceptionof reality
of theliturgicalyear—acyclethatrunsfromChristmas bymeansof asuddenintuitiverealization.Inthecontext
EvetotheSundayafterthefeastof theEpiphany. of theChristianChurch,Epiphanyhasamorespecific
Thefourweeksof Adventareoftenthoughtof as reference:itcelebratesthemanifestationof thedivine
symbolizingthefourdifferentwaysthatJesuscomes natureof JesustotheGentilesasrepresentedbytheMagi.
intotheworld:(1)athisbirthasahelplessinfantat Thefeastof EpiphanyisobservedonJanuarysixth,
Bethlehem,(2)athisarrivalintheheartsof believers,(3) twelvedaysafterChristmas.
athisdeath,and(4)athisarrivalonJudgmentDay.
BecauseChristmasfallsonadifferentdayof theweek
eachyear,thefourthweekof Adventisneverreally
finished;itisabruptly,joyously,andsolemnlyabrogated NOTE:Scripturequotationsinthisbookletarefrom
bytheannualcomingagainof JesusatChristmas. theNewKingJamesVersionof theBible.
November 30—First Day of Advent
J
OHN1:1-5 PRAYER
InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWord OurgreatFather,werejoicebefore
wasGod.HewasinthebeginningwithGod.Allthingsweremadethrough YouastheGodwhofulfillsallYour
Him,andwithoutHimnothingwasmadethatwasmade.InHimwaslife, promises.Wegloryinthemysteryof
andthelifewasthelightof men.Andthelightshinesinthedarkness,and theIncarnation,knowingthatwe
thedarknessdidnotcomprehendit. worshipYouthroughtheonewhois
fullyGod,andfullyman.Weremember
DEVOTIONALTHOUGHT thatHeisYourapostle,representing
PastorDouglasWilson,ChristChurch,Moscow,Idaho Godtoman.AndwecalluponYouto
rememberthatHeisourhighpriest,
OurAdventmeditationsbeginwiththerecognitionthatintheancient representingustoYou.WereceiveHim
paganworld,thisgospelproclamationbeginswithastatementthatthe byfaith,astheCreator,astheSpoken
Greeksmightmisunderstandandthereforeacceptinthewrongway.The God,asthelifeof men,asthelightof
philosopherHeraclitushadusedthetermLogosinhisspeculative theworld,andastheconquerorof all
philosophy,andsowhenJohnstartsoutbysayingsomethingapparently thedarknessintheworld.Weprayto
inscrutable—theLogoswaswithGod,andtheLogoswasGod—the YouinHisstrongname,thenameof
sentimentmighthaveseemedsuitablyopaquetothem.ButJohnisdoing JesusChrist,andAMEN.
somethingquitedifferent.Heisengagedinoverthrowingtheancient
wisdom,notcompromisingwithit. ADVENTAPPLICATION
Inv.14,wewilldiscoverthattheLogosbecamefleshanddweltamong Preparethemembersof yourfamilyto
us.Fortheapostles,andforallfaithfulChristianssince,theIncarnation thinkof AdventandChristmasinvery
meansthatultimateTruthhasabirthday,andamom,andtenfingers,anda materialterms.Thisisnotaseason
liver.Thiskindof thingwasabsolutelyappallingtotheancient thatcelebratesvaguespiritualities,but
philosophicalmind—foolishnesstotheGreeks,asPaulnoted. rathertheseasonthatcelebratesGod
ThereareindicationsthatthisiswhereJohnisdeliberatelytakingus, takingonflesh.Theinstincttogive
rightfromthestart.Hebeginswiththesamelanguagethatstartsthebook gifts,toeatchocolate,tocutdowna
of Genesis(v.1).Wearetalkingaboutanewcreationhere,notanother treeinthewoodstobringithome,is
etherealworldelsewhere.TheWordwaswithGodinthebeginning,andthe thereforeallveryhealthyandinline
WordwasGod.Lesttherebeamistake,Johnrepeatsit.Hewasinthe withtheholiday.Matterenablesusto
beginningwithGod(v.2).AndthenthephilosophicalGreekencountershis give,andnotjusttograb.
firstgreatdifficulty.Theearthinessof God’sWordisseeninthefactthat
Hemadeeverysinglething,andnotonecreatedthingwasmadeapartfrom
Him(v.3).Ultimaterealityisnotcontaminatedbymatter,butrather
rejoicesoveritsorigin,callingallof itgood.NotonlywasthisWord
creative,butHewasfilledwithlife.Heisnoimpersonalprinciple,andHis
lifeisthelightof men(v.4).HeisthelivingGod.
WhenthisSpokenGod,thisWord,comesintotheworld,Heshinesin
thedarknessof thisworld.AndasHedoesso,thedarknesscannot
comprehendwhatisgoingon.Butfortunately,thedarknessisnotthereto
bepersuaded,butrathertobebanishedbythearrivalof theLight.
AndsothisiswhatweanticipateeveryAdvent,andthisiswhatweare
privilegedtoseecelebratedyetagain.TheWordwaswithGod;theWord
wasGod.TheWordiswithman;theWordisman.
December 1—Second Day of Advent
JOHN1:14 PRAYER
AndtheWordbecamefleshanddweltamongus,andwebeheldHisglory, GodandFatherof ourLordJesus
thegloryasof theonlybegottenof theFather,fullof graceandtruth. Christ,inourearthlycondition,we
thankYouforsendingJesustous,for
DEVOTIONALTHOUGHT makingHimahuman,justlikeus,for
PastorBenHouse,GraceCovenantChurch,Texarkana,Arkansas showingHimtous.WebeholdHis
gloryandrejoice.WethankYouforall
Afteralong,tiringdayof shopping,JimandSuecameuponthegiftthey thephysicalgiftsof thisseason,for
hadbeenlookingfor.Therewasoneparticularbicyclethattheirson, thefeastsandthepresents,the
Bobby,hadwanted.Now,atlast,theyfoundwhatmusthavebeentheonly decorationsandthecelebrations.
onestillavailable.ItwasaRangerRacer,completewithallkindsof shiny ThankyouthatinChrist,wecanenjoy
gadgetsandsparklingfeatures.Quickly,theylatchedontothebikeand allthings.AMEN.
startedpushingthroughthestoretothecheckoutarea.Unexpectedly,Jim
stopped,lookedatSue,andsaid,“Whatareweteachingoursonaboutthe ADVENTAPPLICATION
realmeaningof Christmas?” Discusswithyourfamilyhow
Acoupleof weekslater,BobbywokeupextraearlyonChristmas Christianscantrulyenjoymaterial
morning,randownstairs,andwokethewholehouseholdwithshoutsof joy giftsinwaysthatnon-Christians
overhisdiscoveryof somethingspecialneartheChristmastree.Bobbywas cannotenjoythem.Discusswhatthe
graspingnotjustthehandlebarsof anewbicycle,butsomethinggreater—the disciplesmusthavefeltandthought
meaningof Christmas.TheAdventof JesusChrististhemostmaterialistic, whentheywerespendingtheirdays
themostphysical,themostworldlymessageof theBible.TheWord,whowe withJesus.
knowisJesusChrist,becameflesh.Hebecamehuman,aperson,ababy,flesh
andblood;yes,areal,live,crying,eating,sleepingbabyboy.Foraperiodof
somethirtyplusyears,GodtheSonlivedhereonplanetearth.Johnsaysthat
heandhisfriendsbeheldJesus’glory.LikeBobbysquealingwithdelightover
anewbicycle,thedisciplesexperiencedtheexcitementof standingnextto
Jesus,eatinglunchwithJesus,sittingatalessonlisteningtoJesus,and
watchingJesusteach,preach,andperformmiracles.
JesusistheultimateChristmasgift.Butthegiftof Christisnot
somethingthatwecanputintoaholyboxlabeled“Spiritual.”Rather,a
fleshandbloodChristcameintothisphysicalworldtosaveusinthehere
andnow,aswellasineternity.Hiscominghereonearthinthefleshgives
usthegreatestof reasonstotrulyenjoyallthephysicalgiftsof God,
includingbicycles.
December 2—Third Day of Advent
JOHN1:18 PRAYER
NoonehasseenGodatanytime.TheonlybegottenSon,whoisinthe OheavenlyFather,wethankyouthat
bosomof theFather,HehasdeclaredHim youhavenotleftusalonetowonder
inignoranceaboutyourloveand
DEVOTIONALTHOUGHT character.Wethankyouthatyouhave
PastorBurkeShade,CornerstoneReformedChurch,Carbondale,Illinois revealedyourself tousthroughthe
sendingof yourSoninourflesh,that
Justaswesawfromverse14,thattheWord,whoisGod,tookonhuman wemayknowyou,loveyou,andobey
flesh,andlivedamongmenandwasseenbymen,asthegloriousonewho you.Teachustobelieveandto
isfromtheFatherinheaven,sothisverseteachesusthattheministryof rememberatalltimesthatnoman
Jesusupontheearthwasaministryof revelation.Whatkindof revelation? comestoyoubutthroughyourSon
Arevelationof Godhimself,particularlytheFather. Theincarnationof Jesus.AMEN.
Jesuswasnotsomethingoutsideof God’scharacter.Itwasnotsomething
donebyHimthatwasforeigntoHisnature.Notatall. Infact,Jesus,inHis ADVENTAPPLICATION
incarnation,wasexpressingandrevealingtheverycharacterof God. By Discusswithfamilymembershow
takingonourhumanflesh,andlivinginitforthirty-threeyears,Jesuswas knowingJesusrevealsthecharacterof
revealingtous,wastellingus,aboutourFatherinheaven.Eventhoughno GodtheFatherinheaven.Pointout
manhasseentheFather,asHeisaSpiritanddoesnothaveabodylike thatinknowingandtrustinginJesus
men,nevertheless,throughthelifeof Jesuswedoseeandcometoknow asourKingandSavior,God’speople
theFather.JesuscoulddothisbecauseHeistheSonof God,thesecond arealsoplacedintorelationshipwith
personof theTrinity,whohasbeenincommunionwiththeFatherfor GodtheFatherastheirown
eternity.AndsothroughHislifeonearth,theloveandcommunitythatHe Father.PointouthowMuslimsdon’t
enjoyedwiththeFatherisdisplayedforus,evenasweareinvitedintothat andcan’tknowtheFatherandHis
communityourselves!ThroughJesus,wecometoknowtheFatherin lovebecausetheydon’tbelievethat
heavenasourownFather. JesusistheeternalSonof God.
December 3—Fourth Day of Advent
PHILIPPIANS2:5-8 PRAYER
LetthismindbeinyouwhichwasalsoinChristJesus,who,beingintheform GraciousFather,pleaseforgiveusfor
of God,didnotconsideritrobberytobeequalwithGod,butmadeHimself believingSatan’sliethatyouare
of noreputation,takingtheformof abondservant,andcominginthelikeness selfish,andnotlovingtowardsusinall
of men.Andbeingfoundinappearanceasaman,HehumbledHimself and things.Thankyouforthewonderful
becameobedienttothepointof death,eventhedeathof thecross. messageof Advent.MayourAdvent
celebrationsinformourminds,
DEVOTIONALTHOUGHT attitudesandactionsnotjustinthis
PastorDennisTuuri,ReformationCovenantChurch,OregonCity,Oregon joyousseason,butinthebalanceof
ourlives.Maywebeself-sacrificial
ThisAdventtextlooksbackonthecomingof theSon,thesecondpersonof image-bearersof ourblessedSavior,
theTrinity.The“cominginthelikenessof men”referstotheIncarnation;
inwhoseNamewepray,AMEN.
theSon’stakinguponHimself ahumanbodyandnatureatHisAdvent.The
statementsabouttheAdventareintroducedwithacommandto“letthis
ADVENTAPPLICATION
mind[emphasisadded]beinyouwhichwasalsoinChristJesus.”Whatwe
Helptheindividualmembersof the
aretoldabouttheAdventistoresultinanattitudeinusthatreflectsthe
familythinkof practicalactsof
attitudeof theSon.Soweareforcedtothinkabitaboutwhatverses6-8tell
usaboutJesus’attitude.Itisimportantthatwegetthisright.Wecertainly servicetoothersthisSeason,andto
wanttoimitatetherightattitude,notthewrongone. committhemselvestotheseactionsin
Sadly,therehasbeenageneralconfusioninevangelicalismatjustthispoint. prayer.Additionally,selectoneproject
Alltoooften,wearetoldthattheIncarnationwasanexception,somethingout thisweekfortheentirefamilyto
of theordinaryforGod’scharacter.Thetextismisreadtosaysomethinglike performinself-sacrificialserviceto
“inspiteof HimbeingGod,HeemptiedHimself of Hisgodlynatureand
others.
insteadcametodieforus.”Thisleavesuswithadistortedviewof God,
implyingthatJesusacteddifferentfromHisbasicDivineNature.Weendup
thinkingthatGodisusuallynotof amindtoserveothers,butdidthisonetime
becausesinhadmessedupthingssobadly.Godwill,inreallytoughtimes,have
amindtoserveothers,butweareledtobelievethisisnotHisnormalmindset.
Thismistakenviewof thetexthasadirectresultonoursanctification.
WearetoldinPsalm135:16-18thatmentakeonthecharacteristicsof the
godstheyworshipandtrust.If wethinkthatGodonlyoccasionallyand
exceptionallyactsinsacrificialservicetoothers,thenwewillbelikethat
sortof God.Wewillthinkof servingothersasanexceptiontoournormal
lives.Isn’tthat,afterall,theDivineNature?
No.Thefactsof theAdventareprefacedwithasimpledeclarative
statementthatJesusisGod’sImage-bearer.HepossessestheDivine
Nature,andthisexplainswhatfollows.Thefirstthingthetexttellsusabout
theIncarnationandAdventof Jesusisthatitisaresultof HimbeingGod.
BecauseHeexistedasGod,becauseHehasthemindof thetriuneGod,
HeisbythisDivineNaturemovedtonottoseekHisownglory,butrather,
toseekthewell-beingof others.BecauseHeisGod,thetexttellsus,He
becamehuman,andthenhumbledHimself todieforsinfulmen.
TheIncarnateSon’smindof self-sacrificialservicewasnotanexception
totheDivineNature.John1tellsusthatJesuscameto“declare”theFather.
TheGreekwordtranslated“declare”istheoriginforourword“exegete.”
TheSonhascometoexegetetheFather,toshowusthesortof Goditis
thatweworshipandwhomwearetoimitate.John’sGospelclimaxeswith
thedeathof Jesus,thegreatrevelationthatweserveaGodwhosemindand
natureistoself-sacrificiallyserveothers.Thisisthemindof ChristJesus
thatwearetohaveaswell.Wearetoseeallof ourlivesasonesof serviceto
others.Thisisthegreatmessageof Advent,accordingtoPhilippians2:5-9.
Godhascome,Heisindeedlove,andwearetobelikeHim.
December 4—Fifth Day of Advent
COLOSSIANS1:15-20 PRAYER
Heistheimageof theinvisibleGod,thefirstbornoverallcreation.Forby OurgraciousheavenlyFather,inYour
Himallthingswerecreatedthatareinheavenandthatareonearth,visible infiniteloveandmercy,YousentYour
andinvisible,whetherthronesordominionsorprincipalitiesorpowers.All Sonintotheworldsothatwemight
thingswerecreatedthroughHimandforHim.AndHeisbeforeallthings, knowYouandberestoredtoourtrue
andinHimallthingsconsist.AndHeistheheadof thebody,thechurch, callingsasYourchildrenthroughHis
whoisthebeginning,thefirstbornfromthedead,thatinallthingsHemay life,death,resurrection,andascension.
havethepreeminence.ForitpleasedtheFatherthatinHimallthefullness EnableustoknowHimandto
shoulddwell,andbyHimtoreconcileallthingstoHimself,byHim, increaseinourloveforHim,sothat
whetherthingsonearthorthingsinheaven,havingmadepeacethrough wemightbeconformedtoHimand
thebloodof Hiscross. liveforHisglorythroughoutallour
days.Allforthegloryandhonorof
DEVOTIONALTHOUGHT YourSonwhoistheKingof kings
PastorSteveWilkins,AuburnAvenuePresbyterianChurch,Monroe,Louisiana andLordof lordsandwholivesand
reignswithYouandtheHolySpirit,
HaveyoueverwonderedwhatGodislike?Doyouthinkof Himasa oneGod,worldwithoutend,AMEN.
kindlygrandfatherorasasternKingwithafearsomecountenance?The
BibleanswersthisquestionbypointingustoJesus.Paulmakesplainthat ADVENTAPPLICATION
Jesusistheexactimageof theinvisibleGod.WhenweseeJesus,weare DiscusswithyourfamilywhatJesus
seeingwhatGodislike.Heisnotindifferentorunfeeling.Rather,Heis waslikeduringHislifeandhowthat
grievedoveroursufferingandsin.Heisnotfilledwithfrustrationor revealsGod’snature.Howcanwe
bitternesstowardus.Rather,Heisonewhosympathizeswithourweakness growinlikenesstoHim?Wheredowe
andoursorrowsandcallsustorepentanceandobedience.InJesuswe fallshort?Howmayweloveone
actuallyseetheinvisibleGodinallthegloryof Hissacrificiallove,humility, anotherasHehaslovedus?Howcan
andmercy–aswellasinHissavingpower.InHimthefullnessof God weloveourneighborsandshowthe
dwells.GodnotonlyrevealsHisnatureinHisSonbutthroughHim loveof Godtothem?
accomplishesHislovingpurposesfortheworld.Theworldwascreated
throughHimandforHimandHeconstantlyupholdsitbyHispower.By
Hisdeath,HereconciledtheworldtoGodmaking“peace”throughthe
bloodof thecross.ByHisresurrection,Hehasbeenmadethe“head”of
theChurchandgiventhepreeminenceoverallthings.Aboveeverything
else,Paulwantsustoseethesupremacyandcentralityof JesusChristinall
things.ThemoreweseeHimandknowHim,themoreweunderstandwho
GodisandwhatHehasdone–and,themoreclearlyweseethis,themore
clearlyweunderstandwhoweareandwhatitmeansforustoliveforthe
gloryof God.Jesusshowsuswhatitmeanstobetrulyandfullyhuman.We,
therefore,aretoimitateHim.AsHewasthefullimageof HisFather,sowe
mustbeconformedtoHisimage.WemustliveinthewayHelivedamong
men.AsHelaiddownHislifefortheworld,sowemustlivelivesof
sacrificiallovefortheworld.AsHehasbeenexaltedoverallthings,sowe
mustseektoglorifyHimineverythingwesayanddo.
December 5—Sixth Day of Advent
HEBREWS1:1-2 PRAYER
God,whoatvarioustimesandinvariouswaysspokeintimepasttothe AlmightyGod,youarenotsilent;
fathersbytheprophets,hasintheselastdaysspokentousbyHisSon,whom therefore,giveusearstohearthat
Hehasappointedheirof allthings,throughwhomalsoHemadetheworlds. whichtheSpiritsaysuntotheChurch
thatallyourwordsmightbefulfilled
DEVOTIONALTHOUGHT asweworshipYou,whotogetherwith
PastorToddDavis,ChristChurch,Searcy,Arkansas JesusandtheHolySpiritrulesina
kingdomwithoutend,AMEN.
Godisnotsilent.HespeakstoHispeople.IntheGardenHewalkedwith
AdamandEve.AftertheFall,Godspokethroughsigns,wonders,stories, ADVENTAPPLICATION
andprophets.Fromaburningbushtoamanrobedincamel’shair,God Discusswithyourfamilyhowthe
continuedtospeak.Fromadonkeytoeducatedmentoashepherdanda LivingWordismadeknownthrough
fruit-picker,welearnthatGoddoesnotleaveHispeoplealone. thewrittenandspokenword.Discuss
Thesesigns,wonders,andprophetsspeakthewordof God,thegospel howsermons,studies,andreadings
of thecomingChrist.EachrepeatstheProto-Evangelion,themessageheard strengthenourfaith.DiscussJesus’
fromthebeginningthatavictorwouldarisetocrushtheserpent.With authorityastheLivingWordof God
Mosesthisrepetitiontooktheformof,“TheLORDGodof yourfathers... andthesuretyof Hisword’sfulfillment.
willbringyouupoutof theafflictionof Egypt...untoalandflowingwith
milkandhoney...and,youshallnotgoempty.”Isaiahdeclaredthat“untousa
Childisborn,untousaSonisgiven:andthegovernmentshallbeuponHis
shoulder:andHisnameshallbecalledWonderful,Counselor,themighty
God,theeverlastingFather,thePrinceof Peace.Of theincreaseof His
governmentandpeacethereshallbenoend.”
Standingontheshouldersof thesemen,JohntheBaptistlinkedtheir
wordstoJesus.Hepreparedthewayof theLordbycallingIsraelto“Repent,
forthekingdomof Heavenisnear.”Jesus,hedeclared,wasthemighty
victor—onesomightythatJohnfeltunworthytoevenuntieHisshoes.
Nowthewriterof HebrewstellsusthatGodstillspeaks.Tothatof the
prophetsGodaddsthevoiceof hisSon.Jesusrepeatsandthenfulfillstheir
words—amessengerbetterbyfar.LetusrejoiceintheAdventpropheciesfor
theystandfulfilled.AndasJesusgoesforthvictoriously,letusheedtheFather’s
command,“ThisismybelovedSon,inwhomIamwellpleased;hearHim.”
December 6—Seventh Day of Advent
ISAIAH9:6 PRAYER
ForuntousaChildisborn, OureternalandmostblessedGodand
UntousaSonisgiven; Father,wethankYouforthegiftof
AndthegovernmentwillbeuponHisshoulder. Jesus,givenbyYou,andforour
AndHisnamewillbecalled salvation.WethankYouthatinYour
Wonderful,Counselor,MightyGod, eternalandunchangingloveYouhave
EverlastingFather,Princeof Peace. givenustoYourSon,tosaveandto
keepthroughallourlives.ThankYou
DEVOTIONALTHOUGHT forthegiftof YourSonandthank
PastorGalenSorey,ChristPresbyterianChurch,BatonRouge,Louisiana Youforthegiftof oursalvation;
throughJesusChristourLord,AMEN.
Intheversewehavejustreadweheardoneof thegreatestprophecies
concerningthebirthof ourSavior,JesusChrist.Throughoutthisprophecy ADVENTAPPLICATION
wehaveawonderfuldisplayof thePersonof ourLordJesus,whosebirth Discusswithyourfamilyhoweachof
wecelebrateatthistimeof theyear.First,IsaiahdeclaresthatHewillbea uscanknowwithassurancethatJesus
childborn.JesusenteredintohumanfleshjustasyouandIdo,throughbirth. Christcameforusandtosaveus.
AsweheardinourfirstreadingthisweektheWordwasmadefleshanddwelt Discussthemagnitudeof ourown
amongus.Jesusisfullyman. sinfulnessandourtotalinabilitytosave
ButthenIsaiahdeclaresthatHeisalsoason...given.JesusChristismorethana ourselves.Discusstheunchanginglove
meremanlikeyouandme;rather,HeistheeternalSonof Godwhohasbeen of Goddisplayedtousintheperson
given.Jesusismorethanjustachild,HeisGodof God,veryGodof veryGod,asour of JesusChristandHisbeinggivento
NiceneCreeddeclaresandwhichweconfessinourworshipeachSunday.Jesus usandforusandforoursalvation.
isfullyGod,foronlyGodcouldaccomplishwhatJesusaccomplished.
AndwhatdidJesuscometoaccomplish?Lookcloselyattheimportant
phraseaddedtoeachof thetwostatements:Hewasbornandgiventous.
JesusChristwasbornandgiventous;HecametosaveHispeople(see
verses3&4),us,thosewhomtheFathergavetoHisSonfromalleternity;
thosewhomtheFathergavetheSonasHisinheritancesothattheymight
bebroughtintotheeternalcovenantof salvationthroughthesavingwork
Jesusaccomplishedontheirbehalf.Again,weconfessthisverytruthevery
SundayinourworshipserviceusingtheNiceneCreed,whenwesay,whofor
usmenandforoursalvationcamedownfromheaven.JesusisourSavior.
Inthisseason,setasidebytheChurch,wecelebratethebirthof Jesusand
therealitythatGodgaveJesustousandforoursalvation.AsSt.Matthewwill
write,andwhichwewillreadinacoupledays,JesuscametosaveHispeople
fromtheirsins.Hewasgiventoustodowhatwecouldnotandcannotdo
forourselves—saveourselvesfromoursinandGod’sjudgmentagainstour
sins.LetusalsocelebratetherealitythatGodhasgivenus,youandme,each
of us,toHisSonforoursalvation,andthatHeismightytosave.