Advent - Pt 1

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. (Zechariah 9:9-11 ESV). The Advent Season is observed in many Christian traditions in December. It usually begins four Sundays before Christmas and the last service is held on Christmas Eve. It sometimes involves the lighting of various colored candles in a wreath and centering the worship around the meanings of those colors. I will be explaining that in the next few days through this little series. However, for today, I want to introduce the concept of Advent and celebration. In our secular celebration of Christmas, the season begins after Halloween! Retailers have pushed the date back further and further in an effort to draw more revenue into their stores. However, the real danger is in the way we have reacted to that in the Church. Some have railed against any celebration that might involve non-Biblical characters or practices. Santa is strictly forbidden by some, while others take the decorations of Christmas and scrutinize them with a microscopic focus. The truth is that we find no real mandate to celebrate the birth of Jesus at all in the Scripture. Our reading today instructs the early people of God to rejoice at the promise of the coming King, but that’s a stretch to apply it to our Christmas. So, in an effort to recapture worship in the midst of the activities of Christmas, let’s look at Advent for your family. Even though your church may not celebrate in this way, you certainly can in your home and family. It is a great opportunity. Regardless, understanding the meaning of Advent will provide you with an incredible insight into the marvel of Jesus’ coming. Just like the Jews in Zechariah’s day, we’re reminded of how much we ourselves also need a Savior, and we look forward to our Savior’s second coming even as we prepare to celebrate his first coming at Christmas. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “visit.” In the season with this name, we keep in mind both “advents” of Christ, the first in Bethlehem and the second yet to come. Today, begin to think about the incredible gift of a Redeemer, who is the only begotten Son of God. Let that permeate your very soul. This gift has no comparison in all of history. And, God has already given it to us. More so, God has promised to give us a perfect eternity with the renewal of the Earth through Jesus’ second coming! What a gift!

Jesus' Last Name

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:35-38 ESV). To the surprise of some, “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name. “Christ” comes from the Greek word Christos, meaning “anointed one” or “chosen one.” This is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Mashiach, or “Messiah.” We can see that from our reading “Jesus” is the Lord’s human name given to Mary by the angel Gabriel. “Christ” is His title, signifying Jesus was sent from God to be a King and Deliverer. “Jesus Christ” means “Jesus the Messiah” or “Jesus the Anointed One.” In ancient Israel, when someone was given a position of authority, oil was poured on his head to signify his being set apart for God’s service. Kings, priests, and prophets were anointed in such fashion. Anointing was a symbolic act to indicate God’s choosing. Although the literal meaning of anointed refers to the application of oil, it can also refer to one’s consecration by God, even if literal oil is not used. There are hundreds of prophetic passages in the Old Testament that refer to a coming Messiah who would deliver His people. Ancient Israel thought their Messiah would come with military might to deliver them from decades of captivity to earthly kings and pagan nations. But the New Testament reveals a much better deliverance provided by Jesus the Messiah, a deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. Any freedom that is based in a system of government is only as good as that government. It can only last as long as that government lasts. We have seen this play out in history. Even those with the best of intentions are merely human with all of their flaws, and whatever they devise will only last for a brief period of time in the spectrum of eternity. God has something far greater in mind when he sent His Son. The prophecy of Jesus’ anointing by the Holy Spirit is significant in that it establishes His name and authority is eternal. The celebration of Jesus’ birth is rooted in the coming of the eternal God and King to set the world right after millennia of wrong. Whatever is wrong in this world is being put right through the work of Jesus. While his legal surname is not “Christ,” that certainly describes who he is! Celebrate the coming of the King with your Christmas this year!

Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79 ESV). These words of our reading this morning were spoken as a part of the prophecy of Jesus’ birth. But are they relevant words? Are they true words? Do we have peace on earth, goodwill toward men? That’s not what the headlines suggest! How can we celebrate peace when this is going on around us? We sometimes forget that while the story of Jesus’ birth is sweet and precious, it is also stark and real. The headlines in Jesus’ day might have been the same as today. I would imagine they’d have been like these:  Taxes Displace Family Awaiting First Child  Poor Family Takes Shelter in Barn  No room in the Inn for Newest Bethlehem Citizen  Superstitious Shepherds See Great Light—Report Strange Sounds on Hillside  King Hatches Paranoid Plot to Murder Unlikely Rival  Family Flees Neighborhood to Protect Child  Many Babies Senselessly Murdered by Rampaging Army  Mother Marvels at the Future of Her Child While Experts Warn of Difficult Future  Long Journey Ends in Gift Exchange This is the way God chose to come to earth, not as a conquering king, but as one of us. Not in a royal procession isolated from human struggle, but in a feed trough in the middle of it. God anchored himself to the common, everyday things of our world so we could survive it. When you read or see the headlines this week, remember this: Jesus came to insure our peace by taking part in our turbulent world. The headlines of today are the headlines he lived long ago. More than a sentimental journey, Christmas is a reminder that God loved us so much that he would wear human skin and face human challenge so we could find peace in him even when we can’t find it here. “Peace on earth, goodwill to men!” This is God’s blessing to his troubled children. So don’t just look for God’s grace in the twinkling lights and the sweet smiles of happy children at Christmas. Hear the bad news of the headlines and be reminded: Jesus has lived beneath those same headlines so that we wouldn’t always be bound to them.

A Keurig Coffee Brewer

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:30-32 ESV). Not long ago Mary and I were walking through a department store and I walked down one of the aisles with kitchen countertop appliances on it. You know the scene. There were several different kinds of appliances and many different brands displayed. I stopped in the area displaying the coffee brewers. Mary asked, “Do we need a new coffee maker?” I told her that we didn’t. The old one was working just fine, but I was interested in a single-cup coffee brewer. I happened to be looking at the Keurig brand of such an appliance. Her response was “Why don’t you just get one?” I said, “No, they’re too high. And, besides, Christmas is close. Maybe Santa will bring me one.” She gave me that look that has been the same for over forty years that says, “sure, whatever.” She knows that when I get ready to purchase something, I usually just go and get it. I am very hard to buy a gift for in that way. I’m certain I’m not the only one you know that is like that. Some folks really are hard to buy for. They either don’t really need anything, or if they do, just go and purchase it. We’re not a lot of fun to shop for. In my case that’s true; however, I’m a lot of fun when I open gifts. Everything is a surprise! That brought me to a thought for today. What are some gifts you can give that everyone needs and rarely receive. Here are some suggestions: Give some of your time to someone who is lonely. Give a handwritten note of encouragement to someone who serves the public regularly. Give a specific word of affirmation to someone in your family. Give a home-cooked meal to someone who is sick or hungry. Give a second chance to someone who has failed. Give a gentle response to someone who is frustrated. These are the instructions Paul leaves with the Ephesians in our reading today. I’ve heard it paraphrased: “Just be nice.” Covering all the one another commands of the Bible is the umbrella of kindness. Swindoll says, “Kindness braids mercy and grace, humility and gentleness all together. Kindness gives grace, requires humility, and asks that we think of others before ourselves.” It really is a gift we can give that costs us nothing, but is worth everything. It is a gift each of us can give today and every day. I don’t need a new coffee maker, but I always need the kindness of others. Make it a priority to be kind today.

Four Reminders at Christmas

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV). We are almost midway to Christmas Day. Suddenly as I was writing these devotionals I realized how easy it might be to be unprepared for some of the practical things that happen at this time of the year. So, I decided I’d offer four reminders to help through the season. Believe me this is not to disparage the true nature of Christmas. Dr. Seuss wasn’t thinking of me when he wrote How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Charles Dickens would not have asked me to play Scrooge in his story. Please remember that as you read today’s devotional. I’m not anti-Christmas, nor do I brandish the overused bumper sticker, “Put Christ Back into Christmas.” Mary and I have a tree every year. We exchange presents, play Christmas music, sing along with the carols, enjoy family, and (horror of horrors) are not politically correct as we wish people “Merry Christmas.” But you’ll have to agree, Christmas is not without its unique problems and temptations. So, here’s some suggestions to help. Be careful not to substitute the temporal for the eternal. Our reading today speaks to that. It’s important that we focus on what we’re celebrating. It is our Savior’s arrival, not Santa’s. The significance of giving presents is to be directly related to God’s presenting us the gift of His Son, and our children need that reminder year in and year out. We don’t need to get rid of Santa, we simply need to remember who the great gift-giver is. Be aware that this is a wonderful time to share the Gospel. People are more open to the gospel at this time of the year than any other. Be aware of the moments when you can genuine share the story of Christ with them. Be careful with your spending. No one likes to give more extravagantly than I do. However, I must discipline myself to think before I spend. Be aware of getting built up for the letdown. The period of time after Christmas is one of the difficult emotional times of the year. People simply get so exciting that “normal” feels bad. If you stay occupied with the Person of Christ, you’ll seldom have to fight off the after Christmas blues. Please enjoy the holidays now. Have a wonderful time on Christmas. I pray your every moment will be filled with blessing far exceeding your dreams and expectations. As we snowball through the next two weeks, have fun! And, remember, He cam that you might have such a life. Jesus’ birth is all about giving us abundant life! Take it in great gulps. Just think, this could be our last; He may be just on the eastern horizon waiting the sounding of the trumpet to come again!

My Two Front Teeth

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27 ESV). Recently I received an email from one of our subscribers to Morning Devotionals. She simply asked for my prayer for her at this Christmas season. She went on to tell the story of her daughter who had left home last year. She was addicted to drugs and though the mom had tried to help her in many different ways, her daughter had run away. She didn’t know where she was, or if she was safe. She was rewriting the story of the Prodigal Son without the happy ending asking for prayer. I began to think of the many people I see each week in the counseling ministry we have in Middle Tennessee. Many of the stories are so similar. And, just as I thought of that email, I heard a Christmas song on the channel I was listening to as I write. It was "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth." Well, I have my two front teeth; and, I don’t suffer the pain of this mom. Never-the-less I wanted to write a few words to all of you who have prodigals. And, to those who don’t, pray with me for them. First, God knows the yearnings of your heart. He knows exactly what you want for Christmas. And He is so willing for you to ask, to be honest, and to cry out. So don’t be afraid to tell Him how your heart aches, about your fears for your loved ones, about your concerns for your other children, about how overwhelmed you feel at this time meant for celebration. Second, remember that His answers almost always look so different, and have such later timing, than our requests. We can’t understand what He is doing, though we can know he will work it together for you good. You are his child and that is his unalterable promise to you. Scripture tells us repeatedly that He knows and understands and is filled with compassion for our pain. Third, recognize that the power of God is greater than anything you may face in this world. He will indeed give you peace for today and forever. All of the uncertainty and fear that you are feeling for your prodigal is but a prelude to the glorious workings of his grace in your life. Don’t stop believing in their return. Like the father in the parable, look to the horizon for their return. Pray that God would bring them to the end of their experience and that they would come home whole. Fourth, know you are not alone; I and many others stand with you. I join you in asking God for miracles in the lives of your prodigals. But I also ask that He will help you to experience His peace and freedom from fear and deep rest in Him. Join with me, won’t you? Join me in praying for all those who have pain this Christmas that they will know the peace of the Christ.

The Love of God

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. (John 1:14-18 ESV). I love the beginning of the Gospel of John. It simply states the identity and purpose of Jesus. It’s easy to forget that he came for no glory for himself. He came to show us the truth and grace that God extends to his children. There’s a great little story of a man on Christmas Eve, who sat in reflective silence before the fireplace, pondering the meaning of Christmas. "There is no point to a God who becomes man," he mused. "Why would an all-powerful God want to share even one of His precious moments with the likes of man? And even if He did, why would He choose to be born in an animal stall? No way! The whole thing is absurd! I'm sure that if God really wanted to come down to earth, He would have chosen some other way." Suddenly, the man was roused from his reverie by a strange sound outside. He went to the window and saw a small gaggle of blue geese frantically honking and aimlessly flopping about in the snow. They seemed dazed and confused. Apparently they had dropped out in exhaustion from the flight formations of a larger flock on its way from the Arctic Islands to the warmer climes of the Gulf of Mexico. Moved to compassion, the man tried to "shoo" the poor geese into his warm garage, but the more he "shooed" the more they panicked. "If they only realized I'm only trying to do what's best for them," he thought to himself. "How can I make them understand my concern for their well-being?" Then, this thought came to him: "If for just a minute, I could become one of them, an ordinary goose, and communicate with them in their own language, they would know what I am trying to do." And suddenly ... suddenly, he remembered Christmas and a smile came over his face. Suddenly, the Christmas story no longer seemed absurd. Suddenly, he pictured that ordinary-looking infant, lying in the manger, in that stable in Bethlehem, and he knew the answer to his Christmas problem: God had become one of us to tell us that He loves us. And, isn’t that the best message we could hear from God? When I begin to fret over all the things that gnaw at my circumstances, trying to rob me of the joy of life, I find it very comforting to remember God loves me! That singular message grounds me in a grace that brings real joy in the face of anything. Try it. It will work for you too.