Dec 5 2020

The Word Became Flesh

God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were sinners [the Word in the Flesh] died for us (Romans 5:8).  The Word became flesh and has two natures - fully human and fully divine.  Because Jesus is both, we have permanent proof that Jesus "in perfect harmony with his father, is unstoppable for us."

The hypostatic union is the personal union of Jesus’ deity and humanity—or the one-person union of his two natures.  It is immeasurably sweet, and awe-inspiring, to know that Jesus’ two natures are perfectly united in his one person. Jesus is not divided. He is not two people. He is one person—one Christ.

Father, we marvel at the singular person of your Son. He was fully divine, in infinite bliss with you, from all eternity, and yet he took on our humanity and subjected himself to the pains and miseries of our sin-sick world “for us and our salvation.” Your love for us in and through Christ is far beyond our finding out, but we want to know more. And what we do know is cause for great worship. We worship your Son, dear Father, and long to know and enjoy him more, and all the more in this Advent season. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Quotes from Day 5 of The Christmas We Didn't Expect

Dec 4 2020

What Child Is This?

We know the answer. It has been plainly revealed. 

God himself has become a man in this child and has come to rescue us. The eternal Word has become flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14).

He is God himself who became a man in this child and has come to rescue mankind.  The manger is for all sinners because the cross is for all sinners. 
The lowliness of the manger to
a life of lowly sacrifice with no place to lay his head (Luke 9:58) - and
finally to the ultimate lowliness:  when he was condemned unjustly as a criminal, stripped of his garments, and raised up to the most odious of public executions.  

None of us are too lowly or too exalted to bow the knee this Advent.

Father in heaven, we do indeed worship your Son. We bow before him in awe and wonder that he would descend from such heights and that he would go so low, to rescue us. We thank you that he came for both peasants and kings. None of us are too lowly or too exalted to bow the knee this Advent and forever. In Jesus’ mighty and merciful name we pray. Amen.

Quotes from Day 4 of The Christmas We Didn't Expect

Dec 3 2020

 The Glory of Jesus' Virgin Birth - Luke 1:35

Jesus' virgin birth highlights the supernatural, shows that humanity needs saving that it cannot bring about for itself, and puts God's initiative on display.

We marvel at his peculiar glory as the God-man, fully divine and fully human, conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Father, we adore your Son. We marvel at his peculiar glory as the God-man, fully divine and fully human, conceived of the Holy Spirit, in one spectacular, pre-existent, incarnate, and now reigning person. Father, in this Advent season, open our eyes to Jesus’ glory. As we turn and admire the diamond of his majesty, work within us new heights and depths of love for your Son. In his name, we pray. Amen.

Quotes from Day 3 of The Christmas We Didn't Expect

Dec 2 2020

The Eternity Before Christmas - John 1:1 -  2.

The glory of Christmas is that it is not the beginning of Christ.  It is a becoming.  Jesus was not created.  Jesus came.  Jesus existed before the incarnation and before creation because of his divinity.  And Jesus is before, and better than, anything in this created world.

Father in heaven, may your Son assume his rightful place in our hearts this Advent. At this most material time of the year in our materialistic society, your Son’s pre-existence reminds us of his preciousness over every party and present, over all the trees and trimmings. He is before, and better than, anything in this created world. Cause our hearts to swell in this season at the gift of the person of Christ as our greatest treasure. In his precious name, we pray. Amen.

Quotes from Day 2 of The Christmas We Didn't Expect

Dec 1 2020

A Christmas Carol for the Weak -  Luke 1:46 - 55

Mary's Christmas Song is about praising God because of what he has done for her.  This song is a celebration of God and his ways.  God humbles the strong and magnifies his strength by exalting the weak.

God is magnified in us not through human pride and confidence, nor through human wealth and strength, but through the humble heart that rejoices in.

Father, you humble the proud and exalt the humble, and we stand in awe. We recognize that the way we feel fragile, exhausted, and burdened this Advent may mean we are right where you want us. You sent your Son to help the weak and weary. Open our eyes to the weaknesses we try to ignore and cover over. In your Son, we are safe to own them and come humbly to you, to rejoice in you and your strong arms, not ours. Magnify yourself in us this season through our rejoicing in you and your Son. In his name, we pray.  Amen.

Quotes from Day 1 of The Christmas We Didn't Expect

HEREare other Advent posts