2024 Advent Devotional
A Daily Advent Devotional from Lancaster Bible College
‘For Unto Us a Child Is Born…’
Lancaster Bible College invites you to enjoy, reflect upon, be challenged by and find inspiration in a daily Advent devotional series. Previously written by various LBC faculty and staff, we pray these timeless truths of Christmas are a gift to you this season.
Advent devotionals will begin Sunday, December 1, 2024, and released one week at a time each Friday. Please check back regularly to view and share new content. Lancaster Bible College wishes you a blessed Christmas season!
‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6, ESV
Week 1: December 1-7 | Week 2: December 8-14 | Week 3: December 15-21
Week 4: December 22-28 | Conclusion: December 29-31
Week 1 | December 1-7
Dec. 1 | W-O-N-D-E-R-FUL Counselor
By Dr. Tommy Kiedis, President
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.—Isaiah 9:6, ESV
I’m a pretty simple guy. It doesn’t take much to make my head spin. I’m not talking about the star-struck stupor that grips teenagers when they fall under a celebrity’s shadow. I’m thinking more of jaw-dropping wonder that comes with a few more years…
- Marveling that I can buy thousands of hours of someone’s work for a penny on Amazon.
- Contemplating my “moment in time” in the grand scope of the universe.
- Witnessing the birth of our children.
- Delighting in the uniqueness of each of our grandchildren.
When I open my Bible, I’m greeted with more wonder…
- God ripping apart the Red Sea as simply as I shear an old rag.
- God guiding his people—not by Hollywood spotlight—but Heavenly Maglite.
- God bringing tap water for his people by tapping on a rock.
Sometimes I’m at a loss to find words fit for my fascination. Not God. God’s word of choice is W-O-N-D-E-R. It means “marvelous” and conveys the miraculous. As Edward J. Young notes in his commentary, “The Book of Isaiah,” “The word refers to what God has done and not to the works of man.”
This makes sense. When God wanted to express to his people the mind-numbing, heart-thumping, nation-conquering, soul-satisfying nature of the Messiah he used the word “wonder.”
According to Young, the first of four titles attributed to the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6 is literally, “Wonder Counselor.” Yes, the Messiah is wonderful, but as His title rightly ascribes, He is Himself a Wonder—a Wonder through and through. At times, I think we miss that as we celebrate “the baby” in the manger. This is no “baby…”
- He is God with skin on.
- He is the Creator in the cradle.
- He is King of kings and Lord of lords lying “helpless” so he can help us.
This child is a wonder!
PRAY & REFLECT: “Lord Jesus, forgive me for making you small. I praise you that you are the Wonderful Counselor, so superior in every way, yet so present and so real today.”
Dec. 2 | Comfort Ye
By Rachel Sidebothom (’02), MME, Interim Chair of the Music, Worship & Performing Arts Department
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’—Isaiah 40:1-3, KJV
As a musician, specifically as an oboist, I am often called upon to play for George Fredrich Handel’s “Messiah” during the Christmas season. This oratorio, composed by Handel in 1741 (setting the libretto by Charles Jennens), is one of the few works in our canon of Western music that speaks truth directly from Scripture and tells of the complete work of Christ!
The first part centers on Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Savior and presents Christ’s birth, while the second and third parts portray the passion, death and resurrection of our Savior, and the coming judgment day of Christ, giving hope to those who are found in Him. The text for Messiah is straight from God’s Word. You might be most familiar with “Hallelujah” or “Worthy is the Lamb,” two of the glorious pieces in this oratorio which lead us in profound and joyful worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
But one of my favorite moments of the “Messiah” is in contrast to those powerful, stirring pieces and arrives soon after we play the “Sinfony” or Overture. The first words sung in this masterful work are “comfort ye.” Have you ever considered the power in this simple truth that sets up the rest of the gospel presented in this work?
What a hope-giving and joy-filled peace these truths give us! Our war with sin has already been won! Our iniquity is pardoned! And, as Isaiah continues in Chapter 40 and Handel presents in the “Messiah,” the glory of our God will be revealed! I find my soul resting and settling as I listen to those resounding truths sung by a powerful voice each time I perform Handel’s “Messiah.” God is speaking comfort and hope to each of us in this Advent season. In the hustle and bustle, rest in His finished work on our behalf.
PRAY & REFLECT: “Father in Heaven, thank you for the promise of your comfort in the promise of Jesus as our Messiah. His coming then, and the promise of His return, comfort my heart. Help me to rest in that when the days of stress or turmoil bring havoc to my soul. Amen.”
Dec. 3 | It is Well with My Soul
By Dr. Wayne Cordeiro (’17), Master of Arts in Formational Leadership Lead Mentor
Preparing our soul for Advent is extremely important since the Christmas holidays are filled not only with the “joy” of Christmas but also with the “junk” of Christmas. The Advent season is crammed with clutter, noise, anxiety and the chaos that pulls us away from our faith center of the coming of Christ as Emmanuel—God with us.
The word “advent” transliterated from the Greek means the “coming” or “arrival.” The Advent season is a time for us to focus our attention toward the coming of Jesus as Messiah, Christ and King. It is also a time for us to prepare our “soul” for the arrival of Jesus this Christmas.
All goes well with us when we are focused on the health of our souls. 3 John 2 says:
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even your soul is getting along well (NIV).
The state of our soul profoundly affects the way we live. It affects the way we think, the way we act and what we believe. If we are not growing our soul, the result is that, inevitably, we get adept at only going through the motions of Christianity, Christmas and the Advent season.
One important healthy practice of soul care is doing daily devotions—reading the Word and praying. Our soul has to be of such importance that it warrants our investment of time. When I go to my small group Bible study, I go because it is healthy for my soul. Even after a full day in the office, when my flesh says, “I would rather go Christmas shopping than to go to my small group because that would be fun,” I say to myself, “No, I won’t think that way!”
It is healthy for my soul to hear the Word of God and be with brothers and sisters who will hold me accountable. No daily habit is more important than maintaining a healthy soul, especially when we are preparing for the arrival of the Emmanuel. Then when He arrives and asks, “How’s your soul, Wayne?” I can sing, “It is well, with my soul. It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
PRAY & REFLECT: “Lord, help me to identify the deception that is so prevalent in our world today. Keep me from running ahead of your plan for me and for this day. Help me to walk in love and obedience hearing your voice. Amen.”
Dec. 4 | Rejoicing as Mary Rejoiced
By John Churchville, JD, Criminal Justice Program Director
And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.’
—Luke 1:46-53, ESV
It was nine months or so before the first Christmas, and Mary is already rejoicing with family! No gifts yet, nothing fancy, simply two women rejoicing that God has seen fit to notice them, out of all the other women in the world, and to use them spectacularly for His greater plan. What must that have been like in a culture and society where many women were not honored, or educated, or regularly thought of for spectacular plans? God noticed one who was past child-bearing years (Luke 1:7, 18) and one who had never been with a man (Luke 1:34). What kind of a God is this, this counter-cultural God, who notices those often not honored in larger society, in a small country that was insignificant in the eyes of the larger world?
Mary is rejoicing for several reasons:
- God has regarded her lowly state… God has done great things for her…
- God is holy and merciful… God scatters the proud, puts down the mighty and exalts the lowly…
- God fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich away empty…
When is it that I am most likely to rejoice—on Christmas day or long before? Can I rejoice in spite of gifts given or not received, of money in surplus or in need, of health that is excellent or poor, of family that is strong and close or weakened and far away, simply because of the truth of God’s unchanging nature? Has there ever been a holiday season where I felt empty? What can I pray this season in order to be as full of rejoicing as Mary?
PRAY & REFLECT: “Dear Lord, I am humbled to be loved by you and blessed by you, an unchanging God. Accept my gratitude and deep thanks for these blessings. Show me how to bless others with that same love. Amen.”
Dec. 5 | What Gifts Can We Bring?
By Mary Yager, MSW, Assistant Professor of Social Work
And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.—Matthew 2:11, ESV
What wonderful gifts were presented to the baby Jesus; costly gifts fit for a King! The Magi’s gifts of gold, incense and myrrh are believed to be the origin of our modern gift giving tradition and ought to inspire us this Advent season.
At Christmastime, we put great love and effort into the perfect gifts for our family and friends. What joy it brings us to show our love to those who we value most in our lives.
But what gift can we give to our King? What is the perfect gift for the baby Jesus?
When I was quite a young child, I remember asking my father what he would like for Christmas. His answer was “Hugs and kisses!” He didn’t need another silver Cross pen set or a new necktie; he wanted the love of his child. But that answer did not satisfy me. I wanted to give my father a physical gift to show him how much I loved him. I wanted to wrap it up and put it under the tree.
What does Jesus want this Advent season? He wants our love. We can love Him completely with our hearts, soul, mind and strength. But we can also put our love into action with tangible gifts—gifts that we can wrap and put under the tree. Jesus told us in Matthew 25:34-40 that whatever we do for the least of His children, we do for Him. When we care for the poor, clothe the naked and give food to the hungry, we are giving gifts to the newborn King. Baby Jesus is all around us! We can lay gifts of gold, incense and myrrh at His feet. Where will you find Jesus this Advent season? He is eager to receive your gift.
PRAY & REFLECT: “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the gift of your son, Jesus. Thank you for the gift of salvation. Please open my eyes and my heart, Lord. Bring before me the opportunity to bless others with gifts fit for a King. Help me embrace the knowledge that what I do for the least of your children, I am doing for you. Amen.”
Dec. 6 | Make Room for the King
By Rev. Zachary Ritvalsky, Director of Strategic Projects
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.—Luke 2:7, ESV
I have become extremely conscious of the homeless I encounter in the City of Philadelphia. It appears no convenience store or intersection is immune from their presence along the routes I travel. There are males and females from all generations representing African Americans, Euro-Americans and Latin Americans whose faces have become indelibly etched on my mind. They hold signs with Crayon-formed letters intended to bring attention to their plight. Most signs open with, “I’m homeless” and end with “God bless you” whether you contribute, or not, to their cause. I’ve never in my years of active observation seen homelessness so pervasive in the City of Brotherly love.
While reflecting on this social dilemma, in the comfort of my home, I was drawn to think about Luke 2:7, where the writer points out that the Savior of the world was born into a similar situation. Due to a census that had been commissioned and the need for people to report to their birthplace, Jesus’ mother was forced to deliver the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in a manger because, in the words of Luke, “…there was no place for them in the inn.”
What a travesty, what a shame, and yet a reality of life on this side of heaven embraced by the Redeemer as part of His identification with humanity. As we engage this season of Advent, let’s be mindful to make room in our hearts, our heads and our homes for the King.
PRAY & REFLECT: “Eternal God, I thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. I marvel in you taking on human flesh and willingly subjecting yourself to a hostile world in order that a remnant would be saved. But what better way to become the world’s Savior? Truly your thoughts are not our thoughts and your ways not our ways. Therefore, I pray you conform our thinking to be in alignment with your thoughts as we engage this season of Advent and celebrate the arrival of your Son into the world. Amen.”
Dec. 7 | It’s the Gift That Counts
By Scott Keating, MA, Vice President of Advancement
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.—John 3:16, NIV
Really! Is it that simple? All you have to do is think about giving a gift and that’s enough? Somehow as we approach Christmas, the quintessential gift-giving day, I think there might actually be more to it than that.
Gary Chapman, in his book “The Five Love Languages,” identifies one of those love languages as receiving gifts. That is my language. I love to receive gifts. Small or large, practical or impractical, it doesn’t matter. For me, it’s all about the gift. I know that may sound a little childish for someone my age, but that is just the way I am wired. I can’t imagine how I would feel Christmas morning if the family gathered around the Christmas tree, ready to begin the exchanging of gifts, and there were none for me.
“I thought about getting you a gift, Dad.”
“Honey, I can’t tell you how many times I thought about buying you a gift this Christmas, but I just never got around to it.”
“The thought was enough, right?”
Hardly! Intentions are nice, but it is the gift that really counts.
Over 2,000 years ago, our Heavenly Father did more than just think about us. He sent His one and only Son, the most precious and perfect gift He knew, to be born and ultimately die on a cruel cross, so that we might have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him. Can you even begin to think what might have been if all He had done was to think about us? I, for one, am so glad He not only gave but that I received. What about you?
PRAY & REFLECT: “Father, thank you that you not only thought about me but that you also acted by giving your Son so I might spend eternity with you. Help me this Advent season to not just think about others but to give out of the abundance you have given to me. Amen.”
Week 2 | December 8-14
Dec. 8 | Enveloped in Peace
By Dr. Mark Meyer (’93), Director of the PhD in Biblical Studies
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.—1 Thessalonians 5:23
If you were asked to capture the essence of Christmas in a word, what would it be? If I were asked to summarize the very essence of Christmas in a single word, I would say, “Peace!” In fact, if I were asked to summarize the message of the entire Bible in a single word, it would be “Peace!”
Seven-hundred years before the incarnation, the greatest prophet of all wrote:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.—Isaiah 9:6, ESV.
The fourth climactic title ascribed to the God-man, Jesus, is “Prince of Peace.” In Hebrew, this name is Sar Shalom. The birth of Jesus makes peace with God, peace within ourselves and peace with each other possible. The Hebrew idea of shalom is “integral wholeness.” That wholeness extends to our spirit, soul and body.
Because the Prince of Peace would die on the cross as our substitute, God reminds us that, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1, ESV). The sin that separates a person from a perfect God can be obliterated through faith in Jesus! Jesus was born to bring that peace and to be the Head of the Church, which should be characterized by peace. He reigns over us in Peace!
The angels in heaven proclaimed the essence of Christmas when they praised God and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14, ESV)! The good news is this: because Jesus has come, we can have peace with God, within ourselves and with each other.
May you, this Christmas, experience the realization of the priestly blessing because of our Great High Priest, Jesus: “May the Lord envelope you in His peace” (Numbers 6:26).
PRAY & REFLECT: “My dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending the Prince of Peace, Jesus! I place all my worries into your loving hands. Envelope my spirit, soul and body with your shalom. Use me to be a peacemaker. May I be an instrument of peace, like Jesus. Amen.”
Dec. 9 | A Message from Christmas Lights
By Rev. Robert Reid, Ambassador & Student Caregiver
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.—Matthew 5:14-16, ESV
When December nears, Christmas lights poke holes of light into the dark night of approaching winter. Their glow seems to announce that the bleakness of winter is not going to win. Light piercing the darkness somehow deflates the gloom often associated with shorter days and longer nights of winter. They portend that from dark nights there will again emerge days to again enjoy the sun-drenched days of spring. One might say the Christmas lights both illuminate our vision and brighten our spirits.
Jesus Christ identified Himself as the “light of the world” (John 8:12). In addition to using light as a description of Himself, He added how people in a dark world reacted. He said, “The Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness more than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Perhaps we have all experienced being in a darkened room and suddenly a bright light is lit. The reaction is to shield our eyes from the light’s brightness. Jesus used light to both define Himself and describe the reaction He would receive because of who He is.
Christmas lights also remind us of who we are to be as followers of Jesus. Jesus called His followers “the light of the world.” Who Jesus is, “the light of the world,” is to be what His followers are to reflect.
The very life that Jesus lived on planet Earth supported the claims of who he said he was. He engaged in displaying the light of His love by works of grace and mercy. His followers also did this, and this resulted in them turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Light makes a difference. It is hard to overlook light in a dark place.
Our world right now seems to be in a dark place. It needs people who are committed to reflecting the character of Jesus. Reflect love not hatred, peace not turmoil, hope not despair, joy not anger, compassion not indifference, sacrifice not selfishness, benevolence not bickering. Let Christmas lights remind us not only whose birth we celebrate but also how we are to live.
PRAY & REFLECT: “Dear Jesus, may we be reminded as we see the lights of Christmas that you loved us so much that you came into our darkness so we could ‘have the light of life.’ May we in turn reflect your light to our world in darkness so many may accept God’s great gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. Amen.”
Dec. 10 | First Advent, Second Advent
By Dr. Krissi Castor (’13), Chair of the Arts & Sciences Department
Jesus Christ’s first advent shattered the 400 years of silence that had shrouded the prophecies concerning Israel’s promised deliverer. Where was God in this dark age of sorrow, oppression and captivity? When would He make good on His promises?
Galatians 4:4-5 states:
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (ESV)
Jesus Christ turned the page by piercing the silence and ushering in the new day. God had not forgotten; Christ had not arrived on the human scene too early or too late. When He wrote Himself into the saga of human tragedy, He fulfilled the Father’s words perfectly (2 Peter 1:19-21). However, the story does not end at the nativity. Hebrews 9:28 assures us that “Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him” (ESV).
Christ’s birth fulfills past prophecies and foreshadows the future complete restoration for those who belong to Him and eagerly anticipate His coming. A look back to the manger points us to the cross, into the empty tomb and, ultimately, to the clouds (Revelation 1:7). He has not been silent. He has not been absent. He keeps His promises. With all the authority of heaven, Christ proclaims, “Surely, I am coming soon,” and we declare, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
PRAY & REFLECT: “Dear Lord, as we celebrate Your birth and look back at the manger, may we also be eagerly looking forward to your return. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.”
Dec. 11 | All is Calm, All is Bright
By Deborah Hunt (’78), MLS, Head of Collection Department, Charles & Gloria Jones Library
And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.—Luke 2:16-20, ESV
I love to contemplate the birth of the Savior. I also love the carols of Christmas. When I picture the shepherds, I think of the words of the carol “Silent Night” (words by Josef Mohr):
Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace
I picture the shepherds arriving at the stable. Perhaps they are still shaken by their encounter with the multitude of the heavenly host. Then they step into the haven of calm brightness that surrounds the baby in the manger. As they look, there is no thought of hurry or worry. They are at rest in the presence of their Lord and Savior.
Here are some ways to bring a calm brightness into the busy celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ:
- Read the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke 2 as you set up your nativity scene. Talk about the part each participant played.
- Place ornaments on your tree that represent the names of Jesus. Select one ornament per day, read the verse where the name is found and discuss its meaning. Lamb of God—hang a picture of a lamb(John 1:29); Good Shepherd—hang a pipe cleaner staff (John 10:11); Bread of Life—hang a picture of a loaf of bread (John 6:35); King of Kings—hang a picture of a crown (Revelation 17:14); Light of the World—hang a picture of a light or the earth (John 8:12), etc.
- Help someone else. Ask the Lord to show you how to serve: make a donation, volunteer with an organization or participate in a local toy or food drive.
PRAY & REFLECT: “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the marvelous gift of your Son. Help me to discover calm havens in my heart in the midst of this busy season. Help me to look for meaningful ways to celebrate the brightness of the gift of my Savior. Amen.”
Dec. 12 | Never Settle for a Knockoff
By Dr. Kevin Gushiken, Dean of the School of Bible & Ministry, Director of the PhD in Leadership and DMin programs
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).—Matthew 1:23, ESV
One Christmas, my daughter indicated she would love some winter boots. The boots she wanted were brown with fur lining on the inside. She was interested in something like the popular UGG boots. Knowing that his sister really wanted some boots, my son bought a pair for her that were inexpensive, in his price range, that looked like UGG boots. They look great. They seemed to be well-constructed. They were perfect. She loved them.
The only problem is that they did not hold up. They started to break down immediately. I called the company to explain the problem. Graciously, they sent out another pair. Yet, as you can guess, this pair also began to break down. So, I learned my lesson: do not buy a knockoff.
Christmas reminds me of this struggle. It lends itself to a lot of knockoffs. On Christmas morning, we open up the box. We get that perfect present. Yet, after a few months, the joy wears off and the gift becomes simply another item we own. Or we can’t wait to get some time off. Life is busy. Work is stressful. You long to wake up at 8 instead of 5:30. Joy—until you get that email reminding you of some family issue that is frustrating you. Knockoffs are fleeting, yet we chase after them.
God shows himself to us in Christ. God is present with us in Christ. Christ is the only truly satisfying pursuit. All that is good and perfect can be found only in the person of Christ. What we receive in Jesus is not a knockoff but a legitimate, transforming joy from the one who created it, God. This Christmas pursue that which is true, perfect and lasting—Christ Jesus.
PRAY & REFLECT: “Father, we confess that often we replace you with knock-offs and regret that deeply. Forgive our lack of discernment, and restore our hearts with the joy that comes with knowing Jesus. Fill my heart with that true and lasting joy. Amen.”
Dec. 13 | Mary’s Waiting
By Dr. Julia Hershey (’98), Associate Provost for Academics
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.—Luke 1:31-33, ESV
The Christmas story is full of waiting. Perhaps we miss the passage of time because we celebrate Christ’s birth on one designated holiday or display the nativity figures in one scene. We can read the events in our Bibles in a short amount of time, but the events actually took place over many months, at least nine for Mary until the birth of Christ. Waiting can be hard, a time of doubt and darkness while clinging to hope and promise.
Mary had the most obvious and intimate wait. Her ever-growing belly was an obvious and constant reminder to her and all around of the promise given by the angel in Luke Chapter 1. Even though an inexplicable joy awaited her, she had to wait. Nine months to see the birth of her son. A lifetime to see Him again. An eternity to join in His reign. Through her waiting she praised God for His mighty acts and mercy (Luke 1:54).
Mary’s waiting was also very intimate. Imagine having the One who formed you forming and weaving together in your body. Carrying a child provides a unique bond between mother and child; yet Mary’s relationship with her child went even deeper as she experienced the relationship of Creator and created, Savior and sinner, Father and daughter. Her wait provided opportunity for the development of a close, intimate relationship.
This Christmas season, you may find yourself in a season of waiting. Mary provides a picture of waiting—praising even in the midst of extraordinary circumstances and deepening her relationship with her Savior. May we be people who wait with confidence in and connection to the One who holds all time.
PRAY & REFLECT: “Dear Lord, may we use the seasons of waiting that you bring to our lives as times to praise you and as times to deepen our relationship with you. Help us to grow while we wait. Amen.”
Dec. 14 | Loyalty to the King
By Dr. Daniel E. Carver (’10 & ’15), Associate Professor, Old Testament in Bible & Theology
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.—Deuteronomy 6:5, ESV
The Christmas season invites us to step away from the busyness we live in and reflect on who we are and what we prioritize with our time and resources. But, most of all, the celebration of the birth of our King, Jesus Christ, invites us to renew our loyalty to Him.
Jesus taught how important loyalty to God is when He quoted Deuteronomy 6:5, saying that the greatest commandment was to “love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with your whole mind” (Matthew 22:37). We often think of “love” as something emotional and of “heart” as the seat of emotions. But throughout the Old Testament the word translated “love” in Deuteronomy 6:5 refers more to loyalty than to emotions, and the “heart” was the seat of cognition. In other words, the greatest commandment might be paraphrased this way: “Be loyal to the Lord your God with everything you are and everything you’ve got!”
One of my favorite Christmas songs, “O Tannenbaum,” describes how the needleleaf tree inspires us with its loyalty. It begins “O Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!” (“O Christmas tree, how faithful are your leaves!”). Its leaves are loyal; they stay on all year long. Even in winter when every broadleaf trees’ leaves have fallen, the needle leaves remain faithful.
This Christmas, when we see a needleleaf tree, with its faithful leaves, let us remember that this season is about our king, Jesus Christ, and our loyalty to Him.
PRAY & REFLECT: “Father, whenever I look at an evergreen tree during this Christmas season—whether decorated and in a home or out in creation—remind me to be loyal to you with everything I am and everything I have. I love the imagery of the faithfulness of evergreen needles. Help me to be ever more faithful to my King. Amen.”