Advent, Day 27

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Luke 1:67-80
Roy Ciampa

As one reads Zechariah’s response in Luke 1:67-80, it seems clear that he was most excited not about his own son but about the fact that his arrival was the harbinger of the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah himself. The angel’s message meant that God’s promised redemption was as good as done! God “has come and has redeemed his people” (vs. 68). Zechariah is acutely aware of how long Israel has been waiting for this news. It was news that had been promised through the prophets “long ago” (vs. 70). The promise hearkened all the way back to the covenant God made with Abraham (vs. 72-73). God was indeed going to make good on his promise to bring about the complete redemption of his people. The wait for the second coming has been longer than the time between Abraham and the first coming of the Messiah. But just as the news of John’s arrival assured Zechariah that the Messiah would soon be there, we rejoice in the knowledge that as God kept his promises to his people in the days of Zechariah and Elizabeth, he will keep his promises to us as well. God will indeed bring about the ultimate consummation of our redemption with the second coming of our Lord.

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Advent, Day 26

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Luke 1:39-56
F.A. James

Magnificat
When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, her initial response was fear (vs. 29-30). That makes perfect sense. If a being from another dimension appeared to me, I would have jumped out of my skin. Mary’s fear almost immediately turned to confusion. When the angel announced that she would miraculously bear a son, she countered, “How can this be?” Her fear and confusion give way to resignation to the divine apparition: “May it be to me according to your word.”

It would seem that her visit with her relative Elizabeth calmed young Mary’s nerves and reassured her that what was happening was indeed of the Lord. “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear!” And the fear, confusion and submission turned to the rapturous joy of the Magnificat. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

The annunciation sent Mary on an emotional roller coaster—from fear and confusion to joy. It is true that Mary has been venerated down through the centuries. Even Luther continued to venerate Mary as did many of the Protestant Reformers. But it is not veneration of Mary that emerges from this text. The primary message is that God showed favor to this young Hebrew girl and through her, God sent his Son who would “save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21), thus fulfilling his promise to Abraham, “just as he promised our ancestors.” To be sure, Mary was very much favored and blessed by God with a unique role in redemptive history. But to those of us living in this fallen world, she connects with us at a deeply emotional level. She reminds us that even while we are plagued with fear and confusion in this life, yet there is a joy that sustains us. The Magnificat points the way beyond fear and confusion to the joy of the magnificent faithfulness of God and his magnificent Son.

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Advent, Day 25

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Luke 1:26-38
Dennis P. Hollinger

The Annunciation
In this classic text of the Christmas season, we are given an intimate glimpse of a key moment in salvation history. This is in many respects what we should expect from a story about an angelic announcement of a birth, as such stories frequently occur in the Old Testament before divinely appointed leaders are born. In this story however, the miracle is amplified by Mary’s simple question in verse 34, “How will this be… since I am a virgin?” The angel’s answer provides the basis for one of the most profound and important mysteries of God’s revelation in Jesus. God will become a human being. And Mary is to give him a name that will sum up his mission and personhood with perfect clarity: Jesus, “The Lord Saves.”

The magnitude of this great revelation to Mary is contrasted with Mary’s own station. She is but a young woman, still unmarried, from a small backwater part of a backwater province of the Roman Empire. And yet God has chosen the small things of the world to bring about a great salvation. Mary is herself quite cognizant of this contrast, and her response is a model to all of us, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” (vs. 38). In this simple expression of faith, Mary models a proper response to God’s gift in Jesus. May we respond likewise this Advent season.

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Advent, Day 24

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Revelation 20:11-21:8
Robert J. Mayer

The Holy City
I grew up in a community of Christians who eagerly anticipated the return of Jesus Christ. So when Advent season arrives, my attention is drawn not only toward the past but toward the future. John sees a new Jerusalem where God will dwell with his people, where every tear will be wiped away and where death will be no more. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, will make all things new.

Following Christ daily is a challenge. As Christians, we are not immune from sickness, personal and financial setbacks and the effects of living in a world infected by human depravity. In the midst of those challenges, we can live with hope because we know that Jesus Christ will return and we will live with him in a new heaven and a new earth. The risen Christ has conquered death and there will come a time when Jesus Christ will appear. In that instant, sin and death will be completely destroyed, and his followers will enter into the new Jerusalem of his eternal kingdom.

We do not know when that will be, but we still live with confident hope because the sovereign God of the universe is Lord over time and eternity.

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Advent, Day 23

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Psalm 61
Karen Mason

Some people don’t expect much from God. The writer of Psalm 61 expected a great deal from God: that God would hear, listen, lead, protect and answer his petitions. Even though this lament psalm was born out of adversity, it exudes hope and expectation.

This lament begins with a protest (“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.” vs. 1). It continues with petitions: for protection (“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” vs. 4) and for long life for the king (“May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever.” vs. 7). It ends with a promise of praise (“Then will I ever sing praise to your name.” vs. 8). This promise is grounded in God’s past protection (“For you have been my refuge.” vs. 3) and God’s covenant faithfulness (“You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.” vs. 5).

Advent is the season when we remember the first coming of Christ and expectantly prepare for the second advent of our victorious king. We anticipate his arrival because we long for deliverance from our laments. We look for the time when he will wipe every tear from our eyes, when God himself will dwell with us again, when he will be enthroned forever and ever. Our great expectations are grounded in his first coming when he so tenderly loved us, hopeless sinners. So we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Come ever so quickly.

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Advent, Day 22

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Ephesians 6:10-20
Ray Pendleton

Be Prepared
The motto of the Boy Scouts in my youth was, “Be Prepared.” As young boys, we were rarely prepared for the sudden changes that took place on a camping trip or a hike. However, with each mistake there came an opportunity for learning how to be prepared for the same event the next time.

The Apostle Paul writing to the church at Ephesus gives this final note of encouragement to them and to us, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

This is such a contemporary note for all of us who bear the name Christian. God has equipped us with all that we need to face the battles of an increasingly godless and secular society. There is no need to despair about how difficult things are since we have the recognition that our battle is essentially a spiritual one and that the full armor of God is more than adequate for the day-to-day battle that we face.

The Roman soldiers were well equipped with footwear that enabled them to stay upright and move forward in any terrain. So it is for us, that the Gospel upon which we stand and which we live out day after day empowers us to make peace in a chaotic world. This is not a passive activity but a demonstration of how the gospel is transformational. We are protected as we follow our Lord in trusting obedience one step at a time, since that is the dimension of faithfulness that becomes our shield.

In this glorious season of Advent, we celebrate that we are privileged ambassadors of the King of Kings. And we are prepared.

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Advent, Day 21

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Luke 3:1-9
David A. Currie

I’ve been rethinking how we handle Christmas music. It’s not so much carols in October; it’s what we hear on Christmas Eve. I think we should add a prelude from the scores of films like The Longest Day or Saving Private Ryan.

Why? Because the Incarnation is an invasion. The eternal Son of God becomes human to reclaim God’s creation from self-centered usurpers–like us!–and to restore God as its rightful ruler. Jesus’ birthday is God’s D-Day.

Before any invasion, special operations forces are sent in to prepare the way, to try to get the local population to welcome the invaders. A friend of mine, a Navy SEAL, gave me a general idea of what’s involved. They live off the land, blend into the countryside, avoid population centers and seek out possible sympathizers ready for change.

Sort of sounds like John the Baptist: he hangs out in the wilderness, eats locusts and wild honey, wears camel camo and prepares people for the Incarnation invasion, the coming of Christ. Like a typical soldier, John gets right to the point: “Join the repentance rebellion! Switch your allegiance from self-serving to Christ-serving. Sprout fruits that reveal your roots” (vs. 8-9). These remain our Advent orders, as timely as we prepare for Christ’s second coming as they were for his first coming, as necessary for our neighbors as for John’s.

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