Christian Reflection and Prayer

(Day 24 of Advent)

Scripture:

Read Luke 1:26-38. Text: And the Word became flesh
(see John 1:14).

Go to your nearest manger scene and carefully study
Baby Jesus. Does He have a halo around His head?
Artists often include a halo to remind us this isn't just
any human baby. This is the eternal Son of God who
became one of us.

Up until this 14th verse John has been describing the
Child of Christmas, according to His divine nature as
the Son of God. He is the mighty Word of God, the
eternal Son. Everything in heaven and earth was
created through Him. He is the Light of men. Now,
as John reaches the pivotal moment in all human
history, he tells us, "The Word became flesh." In that
great, unfathomable mystery, Jesus takes our human
nature into His divinity: He is conceived by the power
of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

That is the mystery of Christmas-the majesty of God's
gracious plan. To save us from our sin, God's Son
became human just like us. As a human He could
place Himself under God's Law and earn our place in
heaven by His perfect life. As a human He could take
our place under God's wrath, suffering and dying for
our sins and disobedience. Being God His shed blood
was able to pay for the sins of the whole world. Being
God He could-and did-defeat Satan, sin and hell for all
of us.

From the manger to the cross and empty tomb He
experienced life's highs and lows: cold and heat, hunger
and thirst, a mother's embrace, the companionship of
friends, the ridicule and persecution of enemies, the
agony of death on a cross ... and the satisfaction of
rising to life again on the third day.

THE PRAYER: 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your incredible humility in
stooping down to become human. This You did so that
we might be adopted as sons and daughters of Your
Heavenly Father. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

(Day 23 of Adent)

Scripture:

Read 1 John 3:1-3. But to all who did receive Him, who
believed in His Name, He gave the right to become
children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the
will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God
(John 1:12-13).

The manger shows us the amazing humility of our Lord.
But it also stands as a stark reminder of the world that
rejected the very God who came to save it and give us
eternal life. In the brief span of a little more than 30 years
that Baby went from the manger to the cross to a tomb --
all at the hands of His own people who rejected Him.
 
But not everyone rejected Him. There were -- and are --
many individuals who receive Him and rejoice at His
appearing, even on that first Christmas. These include
Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, and the wise men who
saw His star, leading them on their long journey west.
Jesus didn't come in power, pomp or an irresistible show
of force. He came quietly and inconspicuously, a tiny
Baby lying in a feeding trough.

He comes to us the same way today -- through simple,
non-pretentious words, through a splash of water, through
simple bread and wine. He comes to us quietly, but He
does a remarkable thing. He gives us the right to become
His brothers and sisters: God's very own children. It's not
because of our genealogy, hard work, or lives of dedicated
service. We are born of God by the faith created in us by
the Holy Spirit.

THE PRAYER:  Holy Father, thank You for giving us faith
by which we receive the right to become Your children in
Jesus Christ our Savior. Keep us in this faith that we may
always remain part of Your forever family. In Jesus' Name.
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

(Day 22 4th Sunday of Advent)

Scripture:

Read John 5:32-47. He came to His own, and His own
people did not receive Him (John 1:11).

The manger scene is a much-loved symbol of Christmas.
But have you ever stood out by a manger scene on a
cold December night? It's not as comfortable as it
appears from inside a nice, warm car or house. It's cold
and drafty, and it's certainly no place to lay a newborn
baby. So why did Joseph choose such a place?

When it came time for Mary to give birth, Joseph
frantically searched the little town of Bethlehem for shelter,
but he found none. There was no room in the inn, no
homeowner willing to open his guest chambers. He had no
choice but to accept an animal shelter and lay Mary's Son
in that lowly feeding trough.

When Jesus grew up and began His public ministry, we
might expect His chosen nation the Jews to receive Him.
Some did, but most did not. The Jewish authorities rejected
Him, turned Him over to the Gentiles, and called for the
brutal and humiliating punishment of crucifixion. They even
stood by, jeering at Him as He hung from the cross.

Before we come down too hard on them, however, we should
look at ourselves. How often do we refuse to receive Him as
our King? How often do we pick and choose which of His
teachings we will accept and which we will reject? How often
do we demand to live life on our own terms and not on His?

THE PRAYER: 

Heavenly Father, it was shameful of Your people to reject
Your Son, but I must admit I have often done the same.
Forgive me and give me a true gratitude and loyalty to the
King who suffered and died on the cross to save me from my
sins. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)