Devotional (December 25) – Erin Knott
Advent is about anticipating the birth of Jesus, and today we celebrate his arrival. Arrival is such a hopeful word! When a package arrives on your doorstep, there's excitement that something desired has come. Arriving at a destination after hours of hiking and seeing a stunning vista laid out before you inspires wonder at creation's beauty. The arrival of a loved one at the airport brings joy as it means you get time to catch up, laugh, and make memories together. The arrival of a new baby is a beautiful and exhausting time as this tiny new person upends life in the best way possible.
Jesus has come! His arrival means that we have hope, peace, joy, and love, and his sacrifice for us means that we can also receive forgiveness for our sins. God loved us so much that he sent his Son (1 John 4:10). What an incredible gift!
Today is a day to experience joy, awe, and wonder as we reflect on what we have been given and what Jesus' arrival means to us. It's also a day for us to respond in praise. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:9-11:
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
When we receive these gifts, our hearts are drawn to praise the giver. We have been given much, so "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name." (Hebrews 13:15)
Advent is about anticipating the birth of Jesus, and today we celebrate his arrival. Arrival is such a hopeful word! When a package arrives on your doorstep, there's excitement that something desired has come. Arriving at a destination after hours of hiking and seeing a stunning vista laid out before you inspires wonder at creation's beauty. The arrival of a loved one at the airport brings joy as it means you get time to catch up, laugh, and make memories together. The arrival of a new baby is a beautiful and exhausting time as this tiny new person upends life in the best way possible.
Jesus has come! His arrival means that we have hope, peace, joy, and love, and his sacrifice for us means that we can also receive forgiveness for our sins. God loved us so much that he sent his Son (1 John 4:10). What an incredible gift!
Today is a day to experience joy, awe, and wonder as we reflect on what we have been given and what Jesus' arrival means to us. It's also a day for us to respond in praise. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:9-11:
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
When we receive these gifts, our hearts are drawn to praise the giver. We have been given much, so "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name." (Hebrews 13:15)
Prayer
Jesus, you are Lord, and we praise you! Thank you for coming to us so that we could know hope, peace, joy, love and forgiveness. When we struggle to see the good or to feel these gifts in our lives, please remind us of all that you've done and the ways you continue to love us. Give us eyes to see your goodness and hearts that desire to praise you. Amen.
Song
Listen to "O Holy Night" by Sara Groves" and take time to reflect on the following lines:
O Lord, when you came to the earth
O my soul, my soul felt its worth
O Christ is the Lord
O praise His name forever
What does the arrival of Jesus mean in your life? How have his gifts of hope, peace, joy, love, and forgiveness changed and shaped you? In what ways can you praise him for all that he's done?
Advent Practice:
Use the final weeks of the calendar year to incorporate any of the practices above that you may have missed. I you were able to do try them all, consider repeating one of the earlier practices that you found particularly challenging. If you are still unsure, take a moment to quietly pray and invite Jesus to highlight one of the practices. Boldly step out and try the one that He brings to mind. How have you been encounter Jesus through these practices?
Jesus, you are Lord, and we praise you! Thank you for coming to us so that we could know hope, peace, joy, love and forgiveness. When we struggle to see the good or to feel these gifts in our lives, please remind us of all that you've done and the ways you continue to love us. Give us eyes to see your goodness and hearts that desire to praise you. Amen.
Song
Listen to "O Holy Night" by Sara Groves" and take time to reflect on the following lines:
O Lord, when you came to the earth
O my soul, my soul felt its worth
O Christ is the Lord
O praise His name forever
What does the arrival of Jesus mean in your life? How have his gifts of hope, peace, joy, love, and forgiveness changed and shaped you? In what ways can you praise him for all that he's done?
Advent Practice:
Use the final weeks of the calendar year to incorporate any of the practices above that you may have missed. I you were able to do try them all, consider repeating one of the earlier practices that you found particularly challenging. If you are still unsure, take a moment to quietly pray and invite Jesus to highlight one of the practices. Boldly step out and try the one that He brings to mind. How have you been encounter Jesus through these practices?
