25 Day of Advent - Dec 1
Today is December 1. I invite you to spend a few minutes over the next several weeks preparing yourself specifically for the celebration of Christmas in your own life.
Buying gifts is important. The guest list is important. The Christmas meal is important. Christmas music (not winter music) is important. The decorations are important. Christmas goodies are important. None of those traditions will prepare your mind for Christmas as well as going on an advent journey. Together, let’s read and think about some verses together each day until Christmas.
Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Jesus Christ was born. Isaiah's name means “The Lord shall save.” It is appropriate that many of our favorite Christmas prophecies are read from the book of Isaiah.
Consider these few verses from Isaiah 40.
Isaiah 40:9-11 – 9 Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Jesus came to declare good news to all people. His birth was first announced to shepherds – the exact description of his ministry. Shepherds are mighty and gentle at the same time. Shepherds tend a flock who would be lost without him. Shepherds would gather young lambs who were injured or in danger. Shepherds would carry the sheep into safety. Shepherds gently lead those lambs in the correct direction. Jesus desires to care for us as the Good Shepherd.
Jesus went up to a mountain to declare and seal the good news. Without the cross, the birth doesn’t matter.
Jesus lifted up his voice with strength as he proclaimed the good news. Many times, in the book of John alone, people asked how Jesus taught with such authority.
Jesus made recompense for all mankind. Recompense is a payment. Without Jesus coming to earth and being the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, there would be no redemption.
Jesus shepherds those who are born-again believers. Everything that is true about shepherds is true about how Jesus cares for his children. OUR RIGHTFUL PLACE is to be lost and hopeless, like a lamb who has lost his way. Jesus changes everything!
Jesus gently and lovingly carries born-again believers into safety. For lambs, the storm doesn’t seem as rough when they are in the fold and being protected by the shepherd. When a lamb cannot find his way, the shepherd carries him to safety. I encourage you to take a few moments to recall some of the ways that Jesus has safely carried you through the past year.
Some of our Christmas traditions remain the same year after year. Other times, Christmas looks different - especially if there is an empty chair that should be filled. If you are experiencing emptiness this Christmas season, please remember that Jesus has continued to shepherd you through the past year. In the hard days, Jesus carries you into the safety of his protection.
If you’re comfortable, would you leave a comment about how Jesus has carried you through the past year?