Week 3 - The Star​
Monday, December 16:  Micah 5:2-5a
Our reading begins with the word “But…” which indicates that we are shifting from one condition to another. What has been will no longer be and, as is often the case in biblical prophecy, we can expect the unexpected.
 
The unexpected comes in two forms in Micah. First, the casual assumption of privilege on the part of leaders comes to an (violent) end. The exploiters expect to covet fields and houses with impunity (2:1-2), assuming God’s blessing will shield them from harm (3:11). Unexpectedly, judgment comes. Jacob/Israel becomes an abandoned, exilic remnant in need of return (5:3). There is no way out (6:13-16).
 
When our expectations come to an exilic end, the unexpected occurs a second time. Micah announces a secure restoration from the least likely place, from Bethlehem of Ephrathah, a little clan of Judah. We can hear a future unexpected echo in the New Testament question: Can anything good come from Nazareth?
 
God, break open our limited expectations to receive your surprising and gracious renewal. Amen.
 
Tuesday, December 17:  Luke 1:46b–55
Long before pop stars began recording Christmas albums, before carols blared through shopping mall speakers, before choirs began leading services of lessons and carols, and even before infant Jesus wailed his first cry, Mary sang. Music has always been part of Advent and Christmas, even that very first Advent, when Mary awaited the birth of her child. When she sang this song, what we now call the “Magnificat,” she testified to God’s work in her own life—“the Mighty One has done great things for me”—and to God’s work in the world—“he has brought down the powerful from their thrones.”
 
Mary reminds us that God cares for us as individuals and for the world at large: everything from personal joy to cosmic justice is part of God’s concern. The next time you hear Christmas music, remember Mary’s song, and be assured that nothing is too big or too small to be outside of God’s care.
 
Thank you, God, for the gift of music. Help us use music to remember your presence with us—and tune our ears to recognize your melodies of mercy, presence, and peace. Amen.
 
Wednesday, December 18:  Hebrews 10:5-10
During Advent it can be disconcerting to encounter Scripture passages that talk about Jesus’ death. After all, we are anticipating Jesus’s birth! Why ruin the mood with all this talk of sacrifices and sin offerings? But we know that the birth of Jesus necessarily carries with it both the brightness of his life and shadows of his death. In the words of the hymn “I Wonder as I Wander,” “Jesus the Savior did come for to die.”
 
In the same way, though, Jesus’s death is never a story we can tell without the hope born in his resurrection. Life, not death, will have the last word— in Jesus’s story and in our own. As the apostle Paul reminds us, “If we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:5). When the shadows of death creep up around Christmas, remember and rejoice: Jesus’s birth points toward his death, and his death points us toward his—and our—resurrection.
 
God, you are a maker of miracles: one who brings life out of death. Help us always to remain confident in your abiding presence and in your promises of abundant life. Amen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thursday, December 19:  Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)
Of all the Scriptures we tend to read in Advent, this one may just be the most joyful. The delight that Mary and Elizabeth take in each other—and that the children in their wombs share!—is practically breathtaking. I like to imagine the two women gathered together in the evening after the day’s work was done, sharing their hopes and fears about their pregnancies, motherhood, and the extraordinary circumstances they were experiencing. It is while Mary is at Elizabeth’s house that she is moved to sing her “Magnificat,” testifying to the wonders of God.
 
This beautiful scene is an important affirmation that we need one another. The joyful relationships in our lives—even the ones across great distances or great hardships—deserve to be tended well. Is there someone in your life you’ve fallen out of touch with simply because of distance, inconvenience, or changing circumstances? Let the love between Mary and Elizabeth inspire you to reach out this Advent season.
 
God, you give us the gift of friendship. Help us to tend our friendships well, even when it is difficult or inconvenient, and to give one another the grace and love that you show us. Amen.
 
Friday, December 20:  Isaiah 9:2–7
Like so many of his fellow prophets, Isaiah was a poet, and in verse 3 of this passage, he offers two metaphors to express the depth of rejoicing the people feel before God. The first, “as with joy at the harvest,” recalls the natural rhythms of life, and the feelings of happiness and relief when fields have yielded enough to sustain a people for another year. The second metaphor, though, is disturbing: “as people exult when dividing plunder.” By putting the depravity of the spoils of war in parallel with the life-giving imagery of the harvest, the poet artfully indicts human bloodlust.
 
But Isaiah has another twist in his poem. In verse 5 we hear the promise that war will end, and all its bloody remnants—including the boots and cloaks taken from the enemy as spoils—will be turned into fuel. The coming Savior diverts our hope and our joy away from the death-dealing powers of the world, and toward the life-giving warmth of God’s good creation.
 
Merciful God, help us to put away our confidence in violence, fear, and death. Divert our hope toward the peace and joy that only you can provide. Amen.
 
Saturday, December 21:  Psalm 96
Christmas is a good time to be on guard against idolatry, because Christmas is big business. There are gifts to buy, decorations to put up, parties to prepare for. It’s almost a cliché now to complain about the commercialization of the holiday and to scold each other with the admonition that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” But idolatry is something more than just a loss of focus, and something more sinister than a round or two of overzealous shopping. Idolatry involves putting our full attention toward something empty and false even as we ignore the living God. Idols have no saving power, and yet we put our hope into them. “All the gods of the peoples are idols,” warns the psalmist, “but the LORD made the heavens.”
 
If we begin to care more about crafting the perfect Christmas than about caring for our neighbor, we have made the holiday itself into an idol—a false god. Human striving—whether for money or notoriety or power or adoration or perfection—is no match for the creative and saving power of our living Savior.
 
“O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.” (Psalm 96:1-2)

Week 1 - Waiting on God
Monday, December 2 – The Light of the World
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

“Light” represents the presence of God. God spoke through Isaiah, hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, to tell His people Jesus would be “light” for everyone.

Father, The way you spoke through Isaiah hundreds of years before Jesus was born is amazing! It helps us to understand your omnipresence and your plan from the beginning of time. Help us to understand your light, and what it means to be in your presence. We want to live in your light, Father, and we want to be a reflection of the light of Christ to others. Jesus came to be a light to all of us, not just a certain people group. He came to brighten up all of our days. Help us to discover this light in us, Father, and shine brightly for your kingdom! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Tuesday, December 3 – A Wonderful Counselor
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Ancient names and titles have rich and deep meanings. These four names given to the Messiah—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—specifically describe his character.

Father, We are in awe of who you are, and who Jesus is. May we understand more each and every day of Advent what these names in Isaiah 9:6 mean and grow closer to our Savior Jesus as we learn more about Him. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Wonderful Counselor, thank you for being the one who marvelously works all things out for our good and God’s glory. Help us have a better glimpse and understanding of your magnificent power and miraculous nature. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Wednesday, December 4 – The Root of Jesse
In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:1  “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16

Only a small remnant of God’s people remained during Isaiah’s time, but out of a seemingly impossible situation would come the Savior of the world.

Father, Thank you for our Root of Jesse, our bright Morning Star. Thank you that out of the smallest remnant you brought your son, and that he has ushered the way for all tribes, tongues and nations to know you and rejoice with you one day in Eternity. As we look to the past to see how you have fulfilled your promises to us, let us look to the future with hope and certainty that we will one day be in the presence of the Root of Jesse. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
Thursday, December 5 – Spirit Rest On Us and In Us
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2

Predicted hundreds of years earlier in Isaiah, John the Baptist witnessed the Spirit descending on Jesus at His baptism. Today, we have that same Spirit in us, helping us take hold of the mighty faith we proclaim.

Father, Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for Christmas. Let the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and of might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, be with us and direct us during this special season of celebration for the gift that Jesus is. Help us to understand and obey you by listening and paying attention to the Holy Spirit’s presence in us as believers and followers of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Friday, December 6 – Prophetic Word of Truth
I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning Luke 1:3

Luke, a doctor, was familiar with investigating facts. His account, and many others, reveal that Jesus’ life not only fulfilled over 300 Biblical prophesies, but is historical fact.

Father, The Bible is not just a bunch of stories. It is the truth. Help us to embrace the historical significance of Scripture, and strengthen our trust in you to explain the parts we don’t understand, in your perfect timing. Advent should create in us a hope rooted in Jesus Christ, as we discover who he is in the Bible. As we connect the Old and New Testaments of Scripture, knowing we can trust your Word as absolute truth, let Jesus come alive in us like never before. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Saturday, December 7 – Life of Jesus
“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth with bear you a son, and you are to call him John.” Luke 1:13  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:41

Father, It is a joy to discover the way You pieced together Jesus’ earthly family. He had brothers, sisters, and cousins, just like we do! Though Savior of the world, He experienced life on earth as we do. Because of this, we can relate to Jesus in a special way. He truly knows how we feel and understands both the best and hardest parts of living on Earth. We’re thankful that Jesus’ calls us friends, and that he has grafted us into his family. He is always with us. We are never alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Week 2 - 90 Miles
Monday, December 9:  Zephaniah 3:14-20 
Twice we are told that God is in the midst of Israel (15, 17). That presence  is highly disruptive. Judgments are withdrawn. Enemies are deflected and  disaster is no longer to be feared for it is removed. The reproach experienced  by the lame and outcast is transformed into renown. Because God is in the  midst of Israel the present cannot stay the same. What characterizes the  present? Disasters (15, 18), a need for renewal (17), oppressors (19), being  scattered and no longer at home (20)—all of these cannot remain no matter  how entrenched they are. The future (“at that time”) is not the status quo  infinitely extended. God is disrupting the present. That’s a promise.  In the opening verse Israel is summoned to “sing aloud…shout…rejoice and  exult.” The first to do so is God, who rejoices with gladness and loud singing (17).  When you sing your Advent carols, imagine God leading the chorus! 
 
God, renew us so that we might join in your rejoicing and gladness over the renewal of  your people. Amen
 
Tuesday, December 10:  Isaiah 12:2-6 
Singing ripples through these verses. The speaker gives thanks and calls for  singing and shouting aloud. The commands cascade: give thanks, make  known, proclaim, sing praises, shout aloud, and sing for joy. Singing “Joy to  the World” and other familiar Advent and Christmas chorales resonates with  these commands. 
Singing is coupled with trust and not being afraid. What is there to fear? Verse  1 has provided one context for fear, namely, enduring the “anger” of God. The  prior chapters in Isaiah also document reasons for the “anger.” The marvel is  that God has turned away from “anger.” God moves from anger to comfort.  Thus, God becomes the speaker’s salvation—the basis for trust and not fearing.  The summons to singing and thanksgiving are placed “on that day.” The  present has room for distrust and fear and hence the injunction to call on God’s  name along with abundant singing. Petition and doxology are joined. 
 
You are in our midst. Lead us to trust and sing. Amen.
 
Wednesday, December 11:  Philippians 4:4-7 
Rejoicing focused in the Lord is perpetual, not episodic or seasonal. More than  urging a rejoicing about the Lord, the rejoicing is done in the presence of the  Lord. In the Lord is where we can safely rejoice. Rejoicing is not a naïve denial  of hardship. Nor is it slapping a happy face on every moment of the day.  Rejoicing in the Lord takes the shape of being gentle to everyone because the  Lord is near and present. Rejoicing in the Lord can be living without anxiety  because God is not distant. God attends to prayers and supplications and thus  rejoicing includes making known our requests to God. And, the call to rejoice always in the Lord is guarded by the peace of God.  When hearts are disturbed and joy muted, the peace of God generates  rejoicing. When our minds reach their limits, the peace of God quiets our  anxiety and makes room for rejoicing. 
 
God, grant us your peace and quiet our hearts and minds so that we may flourish in  rejoicing. Amen.
 
Thursday, December 12:  Luke 3:7-18 (Part 1) 
John uses exhortations to proclaim good news. We may have a hard time  equating the good news with exhortations, especially when they begin: “You  brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” John probes  the intent of the crowds coming to be baptized. Repentance is not on a to-do  list of religious credentialing. And, claiming to be Abraham’s descendants or  members of a grace-based church does not skirt the exhortation to repent.  To repent is to bear good fruit; not to bear good fruit is to refuse to repent.  Christians have often attempted to exempt themselves from John’s blunt  call by labeling him as the last of the Old Testament prophets who preach  law in contrast to the gracious words of Jesus. Luke 3 does not permit that  easy out. The one coming after him—Jesus—will bring a winnowing fork (17),  matching the ax at the base of the unfruitful tree (9). Repentance occurs  when Christ arrives. 
 
In mercy, gather us into your granary. Burn away our chaff. Lead us to repent and  bear good fruit. Amen.
 
Friday, December 13:  Luke 3:7-18 (Part 2) 
Repent! What would that look like? Three groups ask John, “What should we  do?” Their questions don’t focus on status, i.e., who is in and who is out. The  “doing” is ongoing; it is not once and done. A good tree bears good fruit year  in and year out. Repentance is like that. 
The crowds are told to spread their assets. If you have two coats, then you  have one to give to anyone who lacks a coat. Anyone (!)— that means no  prequalifying. If you have food, do likewise. The tax collectors are to add no  fees to line their pockets. The soldiers should not exploit their power over  anyone (there is that limitless word again). Being satisfied with their wages  sounds like no maximizing the profit potential of their positions.  All three answers move away from accumulation toward limitless service.  That may seem unimaginable, but we should expect no less from the One  born in a manger. 
 
Lead us to repent and reshape us to serve without limits. Bring forth in us the good fruit  of a repentant life. Amen.
 
Saturday, December 14:  “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
The third verse starts with a petition. The first two verses were also marked by  petition: “Fix in us thy humble dwelling” (vs. 1) and “Breathe thy loving Spirit  into every troubled breast” (vs. 2). 
“Come, Almighty, to deliver”—but deliver from what? The hymn writer leaves  room for us to answer that question with our own life experience. When has  God seemed remote to us? It is then that we cry out, “Suddenly return.” When  does our lived experience raise the question of abandonment? It is then that we  urgently pray, “Never… thy temples leave.” Remoteness and abandonment are  the opposite of flourishing life and so we petition, “Let us all thy life receive.” 
A fifth petition is implied in the phrase “we would be always.” There is a  yearning to receive all of God’s life. As recipients of all of God’s life we would  be blessing, serving, praying, praising and glorifying—God’s perfect love  made perfect in us. 
 
God give us all the life you have to give. Perfect your perfect love in us. Amen.