DEVOTIONS FOR

Advent

An Advent devotional resource from your friends at

Redemption Lutheran ChurchWatertown, NY

www.nnyredemption.com

Advent MusicVisit our Spotify account (nnyredemption) to listen to the songs in this devotion. The playlist is called Advent 2019.

Advent RESOURCESFor additional Advent resources visit www.nnyredemption.com/advent.

AdventWhat’s on your Christmas list this year? That pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing up? A new phone or another gadget? Something prac-tical? Maybe you have decided to forego presents and instead you will donate the money that would usually go towards presents. We naturally look forward to receiving gifts, and Advent heightens our awareness to a gift we are about to receive.

Advent literally means “coming.” Advent is the season for the four Sundays preceding Christmas. Advent not only heightens our aware-ness to the coming gift but it helps us see all of its beautiful facets. Advent extends us a promise that hope is coming. Advent assures us that there is an answer for our frustration, disappointment, pain, and heartbreak.

Advent is a time to read the Scriptures and to be reminded that we can look forward to the greatest gift we have ever been given. This gift is a person and Advent prepares us for him. Advent points us towards the one who is coming to give us certainty in the face of uncertainty. He gives relief from guilt and shame. He provides us with patience and perseverence in the midst of the unknown. Most of all, he gives us rescue. This gift who is coming none other than Jesus Christ.

First Week of AdventDecember 1 - December 7

Certainty

Advent WreathLight the first candle then continue with the reading and devotion.

Reading Matthew 24:36–44“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

DevotionNow that it is the beginning of December, summer might seem a while ago. This summer I went to some little league games. Baseball is one of those sports where the batter gets a hit less often than the number of times he is up to bat. In the pros a batter who gets a hit more than 30% of the time is an excellent batter. The fielders then don’t necessarily know when the batter is going to get a hit, so they always have to be ready. In little league, though, the fielders don’t always do a great job of paying attention. The wait for a hit can be long and there are a lot of distractions. But if they aren’t ready for the hit, it is too late.

However, Jesus makes one thing certain. He will be coming back at the end of time and it will be sudden. But, like those little leaguers, waiting can be difficult. Especially when we don’t know when he is going to come. Additionally, we live in a physical world that has all kinds of day to day activities that can distract us.

If I frame my life more around the daily activities of life and less around Christ’s return then I open myself up to distraction. And more than that, the temptation to not take spiritual things seriously. Failure to keep focused on Christ’s return opens us up to sin which drives a wedge between us and God and deadens and leads us down a path where we become more comfortable with sin.

If I frame my life around the daily activities of life and less around the Christ’s return then I lose site of what actually gives this life meaning. All that we have and all that we do have been entrusted to us by Christ. And we perform those daily activities to give him glory and to demonstrate his love to the world. God does not need my good works, but my neighbor does so that he might be alert for the coming of the Son of Man too.

If I frame my life around the daily activities of life and less around Christ’s return then I lose sight of the one who is returning. And just who is returning? My judge? Yes. But more than that, my Savior. I fail to keep focused. I fail to be aware of spiritual danger. I fail love my neighbor. And I need saving from those things and that is just what Christ is coming to do. We know how his second return is going to end.

Christ had a first coming when he was born in Bethlehem and then he went to a cross and died and then he rose. And because of his resurrection he won, and it is his resurrection which allows for the fulness of victory to be tasted at his second coming. Then we will no longer need faith or hope because we will see him with our own eyes and the danger of sin will be undone.

He comes to judge but he is coming to save. He comes to judge but because of his death and resurrection for us we will be judged righteous. And he will welcome us as his own. And he will give us his voctory. And that is something to not just wait for, not just be alert for, but to long for. So we pray “Come quickly!”

Waiting and watching then takes on a whole new meaning. He is with us now in his promise to be with us and his promise to return. The day of his return is coming and that will be a day of sight. The day of his return is coming and that will be a day of victory. Because Jesus loved us and saved us, we love him, and are ready for his return.

SongRead through the lyrics below, consider the words of the hymn and what they teach you about Jesus, then sing or listen to “Come, O Long Expected Jesus.”

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free;from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art;dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;by Thine own sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne.

I wait, await, await, await I’m waiting for my king to come I wait, await, await, await I’m waiting for my king to come

The morning stars will sing together On the day of His Holy birth The sons of God will shout for joy Oh praise the Lord of all the Earth

Someday war will be a memory Someday we will rise above The racial strife, the choosing sides I will abide in my heavenly home

PrayerLord, thank you for the certainy of your second coming. Thank you for the assurace of your salvation. Please helps us to stay aware and vigilent for your arrival. Amen.

Advent WreathLight the second candle then the first candle. Continue with the reading and devotion.

Reading Matthew 3:1-12In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”

4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

SECOND Week of AdventDecember 8 - December 14

Relief

DevotionCatherine the Great of Russia had acquired a new territory. So she planned a tour. Legend has it that Russian minister Grigory Potemkin arranged a way to impress Catherine. Fake villages would be constructed and assembled at each stop along the journey. Before the Empress stopped, a portable village would be constructed and Potemkin’s men would fill the camp. Once the Empress departed the village would be reassembled at the next stop. A “Potemkin village” is any construct which is intended to hide an undesirable situation.

At the time of John the Baptist there were some people concerned with putting on a good look. But John warned them, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” The people who came to John thought they had the pedigree to be in God’s good graces. John says it’s not about your roots it’s about you producing fruits of repentance. They looked like withering trees which failed to produce fruit. They were so focused on their roots that they didn’t realize they were tapping into the wrong thing. They failed to produce fruit.

So what will the King find when he comes? Will he find withering trees or will he find real fruit? “I’m a member of a church,” you might say. “I know my Bible,” you might say. “I have a Biblical world view,” you might say. “Yes,” John says to you today, “but what does that have to do with bearing fruit?”

When your King comes what should he do when he finds you like a decorated tree without fruit? What should someone do with any other tree which fails to produce fruit? Cut it down and throw it in the fire. He is coming the ax is laid next to the tree. He’s coming to judge.

“What are we to do?” That’s what the crowd asked John. He told them to live a life of repentance. Repentance is a turn from what you had been doing to something different. You’re worried about the material, instead focus on the spiritual and the fruits you bear. And then he points you to the King who is coming.

Imagine a farmer who planted a handful of apple trees. He planted them and watered them. They grew larger and larger and he pruned them. But there was a problem. Nearly all the trees failed to bear any apples. Some withered. Others looked like they should flourish but there were no apples.

But there was one tree that was beautiful. It was a large tree and the amount of fruit it bore was astonishing. There were so many apples on that tree that the branches nearly touched the ground. The apples were amazing. They were sweet, crisp, and juicy.

What’s the farmer to do? He went to his barn and got his axe to chop down the bad trees. He walked up to the first tree and looked it up and down. He hit the height of his back swing when the good beautiful tree shouts out, “No! Don’t! Chop me down! Let them go!”

Your King is your tree. He is your fruit. He took the swing of the ax for you and faced the fire. On the cross God swung his axe of justice. In Christ you are spared from the ax and the fire. Through the work of the Holy Spirit you are made alive. Because of Christ and the Holy Spirit you bear fruit. He didn’t scare you to clean up your act, but he earned the forgiveness of your sins. That’s enough to cause you to live in repentance and relief.

SongRead through the lyrics below, consider the words of the hymn and what they teach you about Jesus, then listen to “Let All Mortal Flesh.”

Let all mortal flesh keep silenceAnd with fear and trembling standPonder nothing earthly mindedFor with blessing in His handChrist our God to earth descendethOur full homage to demand

King of kings, yet born of MaryAs of old on earth, He stoodLord of lords, in human vestureIn the body and the bloodHe will give to all the faithfulHis own self for heavenly food

Rank on rank, the host of heavenSpreads its vanguard on the way (On the way)As the Light of light descendethFrom the realms of endless day (Endless day)That the powers of hell may vanishAs the darkness clears away

Prayer Jesus our Savior, you bring us relief from our guilt and shame. You bring us relief from any punishment. We praise and thank you for taking our place. Grant us hearts of repentence and relief this Advent. Amen.

December 15 - December 21

Advent WreathLight the third then the second and first candles. Continue with the reading and devotion.

Reading Matthew 11:2-11When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palac-es. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

THIRD Week of AdventDecember 15 - December 21

Patience

DevotionI bet you know that feeling that comes with what could have been. Maybe you were going to a hyped restaurant, but the meal was lack luster. Maybe you were anticipating a new movie, but it turned out to be a dud.

Then you can relate to how John felt about Jesus. John languished in prison after preparing people for the start of Jesus’ ministry. You can imagine the impatient thoughts that went through John’s mind. “I could be doing so much more out there than in here. What did I do to cause this to happen? Why did God do this to me? And what is Jesus doing out there anyway?”

And that’s just the kind of impatient question that John’s disciples bring to Jesus. John was having trouble reconciling the Jesus he preached about with the Jesus he was hearing about. So his disciples asked Jesus, “Are you the one, or should we expect someone else?”

As far as preachers go, John ranked up there with Elijah and the Apostle Paul. Can you believe that a man like that doubted in impatience? I am sure you can. Maybe you have never questioned God like John, but have ever thought God failed to meet your expectations?

Maybe you expected that Jesus would save you from your financial trouble. Maybe you expected that Jesus would make your current life circumstance better. Maybe, like John, you feel like your life is a prison. We can grow impatient with God. Especially when the Jesus we expect is not the Jesus we’re getting.

But Jesus speaks to your impatience by reminding you of who he is. That’s exactly what he did for John. Since John knew the Old Testament scriptures, Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah. As if to say, “Here’s what Isaiah said was going to happen and it is happening just as he said.” In his impatience and doubt Jesus holds before John proof of who he is. That proof was good news.

Jesus said that John the Baptist was the greatest man born. John was great, even if he wasn’t having a great day. But with Jesus, it doesn’t matter how high or low you are. What matters is that you’re connected to him. There is no greater identity than to belong to the kingdom of God.

To borrow some words of Jesus, What are you going to his manger to see? Are you going to find tips on how to make your life better? You can get a book on Amazon that can do that What are you going to his manger to see? Are you going to find the antidote to every pain in life? We live in a world where there will continue to be pain.

What are you going to his manger to see? Are you coming to see the patience of God? God sent his Son at just the right time. Born of a woman. Born under his own set of laws. God sent his Son in this way in order to demonstrate his patience with you.

That’s good news for you. Jesus took your doubt and impatience and gave you his life. You’re coming to hear that you live in forgiveness. You have a rest waiting for you.

SongRead through the lyrics below, consider the words of the hymn and what they teach you about Jesus, then listen to “Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come”

Come, Thou precious Ransom, come, Only hope for sinful mortals! Come, O Savior of the world! Open are to Thee all portals. Come, Thy beauty let us see; Anxiously we wait for Thee.

Enter now my waiting heart, Glorious King and Lord most holy. Dwell in me and ne’er depart, Though I am but poor and lowly. Ah, what riches will be mine When Thou art my guest divine!

My hosannas and my palms Graciously receive, I pray Thee; Evermore, as best I can, Savior, I will homage pay Thee, And in faith I will embrace, Lord, Thy merit through Thy grace.

Hail! Hosanna, David’s Son! Help, Lord, hear our supplication! Let Thy kingdom, scepter, crown, Bring us blessing and salvation, That forever we may sing: Hail! Hosanna to our King.

PrayerGod, thank you for sending your Son for us. Thank you for letting us to see past the experience of our own lives and see the promise of rest your Son brings. Grant us patience in life that only he can give. Amen.

Advent WreathLight the fourth then the third, second, and first candles. Continue with the reading and devotion.

Reading Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

FOURTH Week of AdventDecember 22 - December 23

Rescue

DevotionFrom Joseph’s perspective it looked like a scandal. Mary was pregnant, they were supposed to get married, and he knew he wasn’t the father. On the one hand Joseph knew what Mary had done was wrong. On the other hand he did not want to be vindictive. So he was going to do his best to keep the issue under wraps and divorce her quietly. (In those days engagement had more of a marriage like commitment idea than it does for us today.)

Unlike Joseph we are let in on what is going on from the very beginning. Mary was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Her child would have entirely different qualities. He was both human and God. What we already knew, Joseph found out through an angel. Not only did the angel tell Jospeh what was going on with Mary’s pregnancy, but the angel revealed something about the child. “Name him Jesus,” the angels said, “because he will save his people from his sins.”

Like many names of long ago, Jesus name tells us something about him. Just as in days gone by the last name Smith communicated “blacksmith” or the last name Cooper communicated “barrel maker”, so also the name Jesus tells us what he does. The name Jesus means, “The Lord Saves.” His name is his job description. His name is his mission statement. His name tells us that he is our Savior.

The picture is as grand as any super hero movie, but what hung in the balance was far greater. Your eternity hung in the balance. You were in a strangle hold of a sin and were held out over a pit called death. There was no escape for you. The only way out would have been to live a perfect life, but it was much too late for that. Sin had a hold of you and you were dangling out over eternal death.

You needed rescue and that rescuer who stepped in at just the right time was “The Lord Saves.” Jesus tore open the stranglehold of sin. Jesus saved you from the pit of eternal death. He did it by being born of a virgin and by taking on human flesh. He saved you by living a life of perfection for you. He saved you by going down into that pit himself.

We’re given another important name for Jesus. We’re told through the mouth of Isaiah that he is called Immanuel. We’re also told this means “God with us.” He certainly was one with us on this earth. He certainly was God in human flesh. But our rescuer continues to be with us. As Jesus said at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, “Surely I am with you always.

He is with you when you go into the doctor’s office. He is with you at the birth of your first child. He is with you at your final breath. He is with you when your job is on the line. He is with you when you accept that award. He is with you when your child shouts, “I hate you!” He is with you when your child walks across the graduation stage. He is with you at family Christmas. He is with you when your mom stares blankly at you and doesn’t remember who you are.

Immanuel is always with us, and as much he is with us he came to save us from this up and down world we live in. Unlike a superhero who rescues and moves on to the next disaster, Jesus rescues us and stays by us. He can’t do anything else, after all that is just who he is.

SongRead through the lyrics below, consider the words of the hymn and what they teach you about Jesus, then listen to “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen”

God rest ye merry, gentlemenLet nothing you dismayRemember Christ our SaviorWas born on Christmas DayTo save us all from Satan’s powerWhen we were gone astray

Oh tidings, of comfortOh tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly FatherA blessed Angel cameAnd unto certain shepherdsWho’s tidings were the sameHow that in Bethlehem was bornThe Son of God by name

Fear not, O fear notLet nothing you afrightThis day is born a SaviorOf a pure virgin brightTo free all those who trust in HimFrom Satan’s power and lies

The shephards at those tidingsRejoiced much in mindAnd left the flocks a feedingAnd tempest storm and windAnd went to Bethlehem straight wayThe Son of God to find

And when they came to BethlehemWhere our dear Savior layThey found Him in a mangerWhere oxen feed on hayHis mother Mary kneeling downUnto the Lord did pray

Now to the Lord sing praisesAll you within this placeAnd with true love and brotherhoodEach other now embraceThis holy tide of ChristmasAll other doth deface

Oh tidings, of comfortOh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joyOh tidings of comfort and joyOh tidings of comfort and joy

PrayerDearest Savior, you have resuced us from this life. Help us to find comfort in that truth always. Help us to remain focused on your gift of rescue. Amen.

Advent WreathLight the four candles. And then light the candle in the middle. Continue with the reading and devotion.

Reading Luke 2:1-20In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the man-ger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

CHRISTMAS EVEDECEMBER 24

Good News

DevotionI can remember where I was when I first found out about 9/11. I can’t remember where I was when I found out my sister got engaged. I can tell you about the names of evil men from history. But I don’t remember the name of the kid who donated his lemonade stand money. Bad news seems to have a greater weight than good news. Some even suggest that as little as 3 minutes of bad news in the morning has the ability to ruin your mood for the day. Bad news seems to just stick to us more than good news. What we need is good news with power.

Imagine a newspaper which came out once every 25 or 50 years. There would be some bad news, but along with the bad news would be good news which changed the world. Average life expectancy increased. A vaccine for Ebola discovered. A long war ended. But even those pieces of good news would fade and bad news would replace them. What we need is good news which lasts.

There were shepherds in a field watching their flocks at night. An angel appeared to them out of nowhere. The shepherds were terrified. An angel appearance is surprising, but they weren’t merely startled. When the angel appeared God’s glory shone around the angel. That could only mean bad news.

But the angel said, “Do not be afraid.” The shepherds didn’t need to be afraid because the angel was bringing good news. “Peace!” The angels proclaimed. “Peace between God and all people!”

This good news will change your life and it will change the world. The Savior the angels sang about was the only one who could save you. That kind of life altering news is reason for joy.

The Thirty Years was fought in the 1600s in Germany. It was catastrophic. Scholars estimate that 25% to 40% of Germany’s population was lost. Finally, the good news of peace came. A series of treaties that were signed by all the countries involved in the war. But none of the delegations met in person. You know why? Because they couldn’t settle on who would have the honor of entering the room first and then second and then third.

That’s not how God acts when it comes to bringing the good news of peace. Honor isn’t something that he needs in order to declare peace with you. Glory isn’t something that he cares about to declare good news to you. Because he cared more about the sin that caused you to fear him, he traded his honor and glory in for a manger. God met you exactly where you’re at with your guilt and your sin. He did exactly what it took to take your sin away and offer peace.

That kind of good news is powerful because it makes you right with God. That kind of good news takes hold of you because it is all about God’s love for you. That is good news which overcomes sin and can’t be overcome by bad news. Good news of everlasting peace is yours just as the angel said. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born for you. He is Christ the Lord.” Now, that’s good news.

SongRead through the lyrics below, consider the words of the hymn and what they teach you about Jesus, then listen to “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored: Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold him come, Offspring of the favoured one. Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; Hail, th’incarnate Deity: Pleased, as man, with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!

Hail! the heaven-born Prince of peace! Hail! the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die: Born to raise the son of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the new-born King !”

PrayerLord God, becasue of the birth of your Son you have given us peace with you. Becasue of the birth of your son we have good news. Help us to live in the joy that this peace and good news brings and enable us to prepare our hearts for your coming. Amen.

Advent WreathLight the four candles. And then light the candle in the middle. Continue with the reading and devotion.

Reading John 1:1-14In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

CHRISTMAS DAYDECEMBER 25God With Us

DevotionWe might like to tell ourselves that any underdog can win, there are just some things that are over before they’re over. You see it when football teams take the victory formation and kneel the ball. It’s over before it’s over The game’s over before it’s over. You know it when a hockey team scores one empty net goal. It’s over before it’s over.

When do you think Satan knew his battle was over? Since the beginning of time, he scratched and clawed to destroy all that God had created. Since the beginning of time, he tried to convince every person that God is not trustworthy. Since the first promise of a Savior, he has tried to destroy God’s plan of salvation. But do you think there was a time when Satan realized it was all over?

Was it on Easter morning when Jesus walked out of his tomb? That’s when we knew death was defeated. Was it when Jesus paraded through the streets of hell and proclaimed victory over Satan’s power? That’s when we knew Satan was defeated. Was it when Jesus said it was over? When on the cross he cried out, “It is finished!” That’s when we knew guilt could no longer haunt us.

Someone once reminded me of a basic fact which helps answer this question. “You can’t have an end without a beginning.” In that sense, we know when it was over. It’s when the Word became flesh.

The Word which spoke the world into existence became flesh. The Word in the promise through Isaiah, “The Virgin will be with Child.” Those promises which through the years Satan tried to extinguish (but failed). Those promises were fulfilled, and more than fulfilled--that Word became flesh.

But as we take a look around it might not seem over. It looks like Satan, not God, reigns as king. There’s a lot of people who don’t understand that Jesus is the Word made flesh. Some days in our own hearts Satan wins little battles when he lures us in with his own deceit. Maybe it seems like Satan is winning.

That’s why John said, “Though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” There are really only a handful of conclusions people can draw about the Word made flesh. You hear his message and want to kill him. You hear his message and think he’s crazy and turn and run. Or you hear his message and you bow before him as Lord.

Though human beings are prone to running from him, God came near to us. He who was God from eternity came to earth to cast Satan out. To give light to every person. To fling open the gates of heaven. To break you free from the stranglehold of sin and guilt. To take away the sting of death. To silence Satan.

Because the Word became flesh it was over before it was over and everything is going to be OK. Because Immanuel, God with Us, is here. Because the Word made flesh, Jesus our Savior, is here. And we have seen him full of grace and truth.

SongRead through the lyrics below, consider the words of the hymn and what they teach you about Jesus, then listen to “What Child is This?”

What Child is this, who, laid to rest,On Mary’s lap is sleeping?Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ, the King,Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:Haste, haste to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies He in such mean estate,Where ox and ass are feeding?Good Christian, fear: for sinners hereThe silent Word is pleading.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,Come, peasant, king to own Him.The King of kings salvation brings;Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

PrayerSon of God and Son of Man, you became one with us. You know what life is like on this earth. You know the struggle against sin. But you were victorious over it all. We thank you for these Christmas gifts. Enable us to live all our days in thanks to you. Amen.