Christian Reflection and Prayer

(Day 13 of Advent)

Scripture:

Read Genesis 28:10-17. I will not leave you until I have
done what I have promised you (see Genesis 28:15).

Abraham's son Isaac grew up and married a woman
named Rebekah. In time she became pregnant with twin
sons-one of whom would continue the line that would
lead to the Christmas Child. God told her, "Two nations
are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall
be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the
older shall serve the younger" (see Genesis 25:23). The
younger twin Jacob was that child of promise, whose
descendants would form a great nation.

Jacob was an unlikely person to be a blessing to the
world. His name means "he cheats." This he proved
twice by cheating his older twin Esau-first by buying
Esau's birthright for a bowl of stew, then tricking his
blind father to receive the blessing Isaac intended to
give Esau. While fleeing from Esau's murderous rage,
Jacob dreamed of a ladder stretching from earth to
heaven with God standing at the top. The Lord repeated
the promise He had previously given Abraham and Isaac:
"in you and in your offspring shall all the families of the
earth be blessed" (see Genesis 12:3). The next 20 years
saw many ups and downs in Jacob's life, but God kept
His promise and never left him.

Each Christmas we remember how God fulfilled His
promise to bless all the families of the earth through
Jacob's offspring, Jesus Christ, the Baby of Bethlehem.
Like Jacob we don't deserve the blessings Jesus earned
for us. But God offers them to us out of His pure grace:
the gifts of forgiveness, peace and eternal life with Him
in paradise.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, You faithfully keep every promise You
make, and remain with us until all Your promises are
fulfilled. Keep us in this faith in Jesus Christ our Lord,
that we may receive the gift of eternal life You promised
when He returns. We pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)