2023 Advent Devotions

Joy in Preparation The

2023 Advent Devotions

Joy in Preparation The

W E A R E P L E ASE D TO P R E SE N T THI S

YEAR’S A DV E N T D EVOT I ONA L . L E T US R EJO I C E DU R I NG T H I S SE ASON A N D A LWAYS .

TH IS YEAR, WE ’V E CH OSE N TO FOCUS ON T H E Y E A R B E FO R E TH E NATIVIT Y BY L OOKI NG AT LUKE 1 A ND M ATTHEW 1 , IN PART I CUL A R T H E FOL L OWI NG VE R S E S : SUN DAY 12 /3 - LUKE 1 :5 -2 5 WE D N E SDAY 12 /6 - LUKE 1 :2 6 -3 8 SUN DAY 12 /1 0 - LUKE 1:3 9 -56 WE D N E SDAY 12 /1 3 - LUKE 1 :57-6 6 SUN DAY 12 /1 7 - LUKE 1:57- 6 6 W E D N E SDAY 1 2 /2 0 - LUKE 1:67-8 0 SUN DAY 12 /24 - LUKE 2 :1 -7

Advent Greetings

In the summer of 2022, our family was blessed to be able to travel and spend some time in Germany. We have never visited mainland Europe before and it was really exciting to experience Germany first-hand. One of the things which my daughters enjoyed the most was visiting Christmas stores scattered throughout the country, but they really loved the Christmas stores in Rothenburg. They had so much fun perusing the hand-carved Christmas tree ornaments, the original decorations, and the nativity scenes. They would have stayed in those stores for hours if we had let them! I, on the other hand, struggled to see the joy in Christmas shopping in mid-June. Christmas is at the end of the year!

Even thinking about it during the summer seems wrong to me.

Whether you are a “Christmas all year” person or a “Christmas in December” type, I think most of us view Christmas as the end of the year. It is a little signpost saying that the year is drawing to a close before we start to look ahead at the new year and all that it is going to have to offer for us. It is the end of one year and the beginning of another.

That is one of many reasons why I love this year’s Advent Devotional. Each of the devotions which you will encounter over the weeks ahead walks you through the year that led up to Christ’s nativity on Christmas Day. We find out in the first chapters of both Matthew and Luke that some incredibly important things took place in that year! Then, on Christmas Day, everything changed and the world was profoundly different. There is a clear delineation between the year before Jesus was born and the new world He came to usher in. The meditations written by the faculties of Lutheran East and Lutheran West focus on God’s work in the year before the nativity and how it continues to echo in our current time.

In this year’s booklet, you will see a Scripture reading and then a devotional for each Sunday and Wednesday throughout Advent. It is our hope that you’ll take the time to read that Scripture passage and that the Holy Spirit will be moving in that devotional time. I know that I’ve been blessed in reading these texts and I am praying that you will be as well.

May you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season!

CL H SA SU P E R I NTE ND E NT & C E O

Your Prayer Has Been Heard

SU NDAY 1 2 /3 : LU K E 1 : 5-2 5

BY R EV. J E F F STE E L E -STE E B E R , LUT H E R A N W E ST FAC U LTY & CA M PUS PASTO R

“Is it okay to question God?” I have used this prompt from time to time in various classes that I have taught.

I want the students to think about whether or not we, as creatures, are permitted to question the Creator.

The students may not simply give a “yes” or “no” answer, but instead must provide a reason behind their response. To date, I have received answers that run the full spectrum of potential responses. Everything from “No, we are not allowed to question God because we must blindly put our trust and faith in Him with regard to all things,” to “I sure hope we can question God, because I do it all the time, and I’m not trying to get even more sins.”

“Kata. ti, gnw, somai touto?” These are the words spoken by Zechariah in the Gospel of St. Luke, Chapter 1:18. In English, it roughly translates to “By what will I know this?” Is Zechariah asking God a question, or is Zechariah questioning God? Is there a difference between the two, and if so, is it a significant difference?

I would argue that there IS a difference, and that this difference matters immensely.

If we look back further in the Scripture lesson, specifically at verses 5-7, we learn how Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, are without children. This is not a result of sin or lack of faith, for “they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.” Instead, Zechariah and Elizabeth simply have found themselves with the same plight so many others have experienced throughout time.

However, they have not remained silent. They have reached out to God as we are all invited and called to reach out to Him. They have taken their hopes and dreams to the Lord, praying to be blessed with the heavenly gift of a child. Advanced in years, the only way their life circumstances will change is through divine intervention. The angel Gabriel, who has glorious and life-changing news for the elderly couple, visits Zechariah as a priest in the Temple. “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.’” (v. 13) Zechariah should welcome the angel’s pronouncement with nothing but gratitude and exultation. After all, this is what he and Elizabeth have wanted for decades! Sure, it might have been easier for Elizabeth to nurse a baby when she was younger. Chasing a toddler around their village would have been less tiring if Zechariah and Elizabeth had been the age of typical parents of their time. They might not be around to witness the amazing ministry of their child’s adult years that was foretold by the angel.

Nevertheless, verse 18 should read, “Zechariah, moved beyond words by the divine blessing of a child, fell to his knees and thanked the Lord with sighs and tears of unbelievable joy. Finishing his service in the Temple, Zechariah ran home with the speed of a much younger man, to share the miraculous news with his faithful wife. ‘Elizabeth, God has answered our prayers; you are to be with child!’”

And yet, this is not what we find in our Holy Scripture. We do not find a faithful and committed priest, who has been turning to the Lord, day after day with the prayer for a child, exuberant with a message from God. Quite the opposite, we are met with doubt and disbelief. “How shall I know this?

For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” (v. 18) Zechariah does not ask God a question. Zechariah questions God. Holy Scripture teaches us, with very little room for debate, that we are not to question the Lord. “And the angel answered him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things

take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

Let us believe and embrace the promises that God has fulfilled in our lives. When we pray for a chance to spend time with our families, let us not be dismayed because everything does not go as perfectly as we have planned, or the house is not as clean as we wanted it to be. When we ask God for meaningful and uplifting worship, let us not get agitated if our favorite hymn/song is not sung, or frustrated by the person in the row ahead of us who keeps checking their phone during the service. Most importantly, when we ask God for forgiveness, let us not make a mockery of the cross and resurrection of our Lord and Savior by holding onto our sins and the sins of others. We have cried out for God’s grace. Yet even as God answers our prayers, we have questioned how a perfect God could love such imperfect creations. We have doubted whether anyone who knows the real version of us could truly love us. We have mimicked Zechariah and questioned God. This Advent season, let us receive the good news proclaimed by the angel Gabriel. Let us approach the manger with awe, wonder, and gratitude. For even when we falter, doubt, or question God, we are reminded that none of our sins kept the Creator of all things, seen and unseen, from becoming incarnate and securing our salvation. The King has come, and He shall come again.

May you all have a blessed Advent.

Can You Hear Me Now? WE D N E SDAY 1 2 /6 LUKE 1 :2 6 -3 8

BY R EV. M A N D E L CH I L D S, LUT H E R A N E AST FACULT Y

To your mark — Set — GO!! It’s the beginning of “The Season.” Shopping in stores, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, grocery shopping for the family meal, decorating the house inside and out, wrapping gifts, mailing cards (if that still exists), FaceTiming with old friends…. ’Tis the season! Somehow or another, our society began celebrating X-Mas and left Christ out.

The aforementioned things aren’t bad, but too often, these things become the centerpiece of the season. The hustle and bustle stifles our ability to see and hear clearly.

Our thoughts are cluttered with the: What’s next?

Mary was in the ideal position to hear the messenger, Gabriel, sent from God. She was alone and it was quiet.

It reminds us of a famous interaction that Elijah had in the Old Testament. “The Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

After the earthquake came a fire, the Lord was not in the fire.

And after the fire came a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:11-12)

During this upcoming holiday season, I invite—no, I implore—each of us to purposefully prioritize our time to get before God to hear His message.

A number of statements in this passage not only spoke truth to Mary so many years ago, but they continue to speak truth to us today.

As Mary was in the correct position, Gabriel was free to speak to pronounce that she would “conceive and give birth.” When the Message comes to you this season, “Do not be afraid”. God wants to use us to carry the Living Word wherever we go. There is something on the inside of the Believer that draws people to Christ. It births things in them that are beautiful, loving, and nurturing. It’s eternally impactful and life-saving.

“Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.” (v. 36) Mary was not alone as she experienced this miracle. And you are not alone! What you are experiencing isn’t solo. Others are negotiating this miraculous season against the commercialism of the world. No matter one’s age, social location, or gender, something special is happening for others. Get and stay excited for the gift others are experiencing.

“How can this be?” Mary’s question is one that many of us have today. It speaks to me in a way that may also speak to others. In the past, I have not always been proud of myself. I haven’t always followed Christ the way I should have.

My life was in a mess; at times I feel that things I’ve done should exclude me from God’s grace. Please allow me to speak life into you today. One’s past, even yours, isn’t a surprise to God—and He still chose YOU! He wants YOU to walk alongside Him. This “can be” because of God’s immense grace.

“No word from God will ever fail.” (v.37) Like Mary’s pregnancy, development of a relationship with God sometimes takes time. Like a pregnancy, the gestation process is intricate. Listen for the heartbeat, look at the ultrasound, see the fingers and toes. Something is growing and changing on the inside. There will be restless nights; things may seem uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Those close to you in your days before accepting God may even fall out of your life. But it’s all worth it—what’s on the inside, waiting to get out, is magnificent.

“I am the Lord’s servant.” “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (v 38). Like Mary, boldly declare where you will position yourself during this season. Be fully filled with the promise that is growing inside.

Take the “X”—the unknown, the wordly, the transient—out of the season and be an active participant in putting more of Christ back into the holiday (Holy day) season.

Unanticipated Good News

SUN DAY 1 2 /1 0 LUKE 1:3 9 -56

BY M I R A N DA P F L AUM ’ 1 5, VI CE P R I NCI PA L OF AD M I SSI ONS & E N ROL L M E N T, LUT H E R A N WE ST

We have all received good news at some point in our lives.

You just got approved for a loan for your first house.

You were accepted into your top choice for college.

You just found out that you are going to become firsttime parents or grandparents. All of these moments are life-altering in one way or another.

Most recently, my “good news” moment was receiving a promotion at Lutheran West last spring, when I took over as Vice Principal of Admissions and Enrollment. Upon first receiving the news, I naturally went to my friends and family to celebrate this achievement that I had been working toward for a significant amount of time. This feels to be a very natural reaction to good news that you were hopefully anticipating—wanting to celebrate surrounded by those who understand and support you.

However, what happens when the good news you receive is not necessarily something you were neither expecting nor prepared for?

This is where we find Mary and Elizabeth in Luke 1: 39-56. Both had been visited by the angel Gabriel and were told that they would bear sons. In her old age,

Elizabeth had been blessed with a son whom she would name John, and Mary was to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Putting myself in their position, I can’t imagine my reaction. Fear, nervousness, and doubt naturally come to mind. Mary was pregnant and unmarried at the time—she could have feared being disgraced and persecuted. However, that is the opposite of what we see.

We see Mary going to Elizabeth’s side, who is filled with the Holy Spirit, and we see the two women coming together to rejoice and praise the Lord.

It is a moment of community and fellowship between the two women, as they acknowledge and rejoice in being part of God’s plan. Mary herself breaks into a song of praise saying, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me and His name is Holy.” (v. 46) We do not see an ounce of doubt or questioning, but full trust in His plan for her life. I think we can all learn something from Mary in this instance. We may not anticipate nor have all the answers to what life throws at us, but we do know who is in control and that He has a plan for all of us.

Across all these examples, both biblically and in the present day, we see a commonality of the importance of community and surrounding yourself in fellowship with other believers who can support you through the big (and small) moments throughout life. Believers can be a support system to one another, just as Mary was to Elizabeth. Unfortunately, in today’s society we often see a lack of connection. Screens have replaced face-to-face conversations; hectic schedules have replaced time for fellowship. We must be aware of these changes in our day-to-day lives and work to make sure that we are actively pursuing Christ. As crazy as it sounds, we see this—we may even especially see this—during the celebration of Christmas.

During this Advent season we can oftentimes get caught up in the chaos of the season: the holiday parties, the food, the presents, the decorations. However, at its core, it is a time for community and fellowship. It is a time to celebrate in God’s plan for all of us—and it is a plan that started long ago with Mary and Elizabeth celebrating the upcoming birth of Jesus Christ. They were two women who understood and faithfully believed that they had been called to be part of God’s plan, just as He has a plan for each one of our lives.

My prayer for all of us this Christmas Season is to celebrate with one another in Christ and rejoice in what God has done for our lives. He sent his Son to be born of the Virgin Mary, a woman who had complete faith in the Lord. Let us mirror this faith and foster our relationships with those around us to continue to celebrate and spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Pointing Us to Christ

WE D N E SDAY 1 2 /1 3 LUKE 1 :57- 6 6

BY BR A N D ON OWE NS ’ 0 0, LU T H E R A N E AST FACULT Y

Luke 1:57-66 tells the story of the birth of John the Baptist.

It is a story that is both familiar and mysterious. Familiar, because it is a story that has been told and retold for centuries, in countless ways. Mysterious, because it is a story that describes how God worked a miracle to allow Elizabeth and Zechariah to conceive a child.

There is an amazing event that happens right after John is given his name. Verse 64 says, “Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.” After nine months of silence. After coming face to face with an angel. After finally receiving the child that he and Elizabeth had long hoped for. His very first reaction was to praise God. That reaction of Zechariah continues to speak to us today.

There are times when it seems like we have been waiting on God forever. We are struggling and in need of saving.

But too often, as soon as we have what we need, we credit ourselves. We believe that WE are patient. WE were strong.

WE made it through. Our first impluse is often to take the credit for ourselves. Zechariah shows us a different way.

When our eyes are focused on God, our hearts recognize where the praise should be going.

Even in his birth, John the Baptist was pointing us to Christ. We see it in Zechariah’s reaction—and then we see it continue through the rest of John’s life. It is a beautiful Advent reflection, as we see that God was working even in the run-up to Christmas Day—just as He continues to work this Advent in our lives.

Please note that the Advent season is a time of preparation for the birth of Christ. It is a time to reflect on the miraculous nature of his birth, and to celebrate the fact that God has come to be with us. It is also a time to praise and give thanks for what God has done leading up to that birth—just as Zechariah did.

Advent is also a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Just as John was born to prepare the way for Christ, reflecting on John’s birth can help us prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus. We can do this by praying, by reading the Bible, and by serving others.

We can also prepare our hearts by making room for Christ in our lives. This means letting go of our own pride and selfishness, and making Jesus the center of our lives.

During this season we celebrate the love of God. We celebrate the gifts of love, joy, peace, and salvation. Yes, it is important to share this time with family and friends, but let us not forget that Jesus is the reason for this season, just as Jesus was the purpose behind John’s ministry.

As we prepare to celebrate this season, let us rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ—the greatest event in human history. It is the event that changed the world forever.

Our lives and eternities are forever better because of the coming of Jesus The Christ.

May this Advent season be a time of blessing and joy for you and your family.

Three Lessons from Luke SUN DAY 1 2 /1 7 LUKE 1 :57-6 6

BY CA ROL I N E PA NGR ACE , LUT H E R A N WE ST FACULT Y & D R A M A D I R E CTOR

As we celebrate Advent, we focus on the events leading up to Jesus’ birth, including the birth of his cousin, John the Baptist. Looking at the section of Luke telling us of John’s birth, there are many lessons on which to focus. The three that speak to me most are the importance of community, the blessings we receive when we follow God’s plan instead of society’s, and God’s steadfastness in keeping His hand in all we do.

The Advent and Christmas season is filled with community— church services, school concerts, city tree lightings, and rallying together to give back to community members who may need a helping hand. We rely on our community (friends, family, neighbors, even strangers) year-round, but we come together the most around the holiday season.

Elizabeth and Zechariah were part of a close community, too. In verse 58, Luke mentions that the people closest to Elizabeth and Zechariah celebrated with them as they welcomed their son into the world. Their friends and family realized the miracle they were seeing in front of them.

They knew at that moment that Elizabeth and Zechariah were new parents faced with the challenge of caring for a newborn while other people their age were welcoming

grandchildren into the family. We may think, sometimes, that we do not need community and that we can handle things on our own, but God has a way of putting people in our lives right when we need them.

I see that in my own life through family, friendships, co-workers, and my church family. Even as God was preparing Elizabeth for motherhood, he sent another expectant mom, her cousin Mary, to spend some time with her as they both anticipated the ways their lives would soon change forever.

In this passage of Luke, Elizabeth and Zechariah obey God by naming their son John. They went against what their friends and customs suggested and lived out what the angel Gabriel told them would happen.

They tuned out the voices that expected them to follow tradition and clung to God’s plan. Their friends and family questioned them more than once, unsure of why they would pick this name for their miracle child. Elizabeth and Zechariah did not waver and Elizabeth spoke up to ensure that his name would be John.

We are tempted daily to follow society’s voices. During the Christmas season, it is easy to get caught up in the stressors and “needs” of the season rather than the reason for the season. Our calendar quickly gets filled with extra school functions, family obligations, and society’s pressure to execute the perfect holiday experience that others seem to achieve. When we focus too much on what society expects, it leaves us feeling empty, not good enough, and unable to measure up to others. What should be a joyous season can quickly become joyless and overwhelming. When Elizabeth and Zechariah blocked out society’s questions and gave the answer of their son’s name, what happened?

Zechariah was able to speak. Verse 64 says, “immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue loosed and he could speak again.” Zechariah’s response to regaining his voice should inspire all of us—he praised God. If you find yourself in one of those overwhelming moments this Christmas season, follow Zechariah’s cue to praise God. Elizabeth and Zechariah experienced something they thought impossible for most of their lives, yet God was with them every step of the way. He knew even when Elizabeth was born that she would one day become the mother to John, as His hand was in her life from its beginning. We can all identify a time in our life when we may have wondered if God’s

hand was truly with us, if there was a reason that something was—or was not —happening in our life. We can lose sight of God’s plan for us when we are too focused on our own plans. We lose our trust that God sees the big picture beyond the narrow view that we have. It is a comfort to be reassured that God does indeed have a plan for us, a plan to prosper us and not harm us, a plan that provides hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Throughout the year in my Faith Formations 10 class, we intentionally see how God has His hand in everything as we study Jesus’ life, the start of Christianity, and how we got to the Christian church of today. There are countless examples of God’s presence through the events in the Bible, and in worldly events too. As my class learns about the Reformation, we look at how the invention of the printing press was able to help Martin Luther and his fellow reformers spread their words faster and farther than simply copying things by hand. God’s hand was with Paul as he traveled for years—He helped Paul and his writings survive, to influence thousands of people and bring them to Christianity. My students and I also look for the small, daily ways God is with us— protecting us while traveling on icy roads, providing a caring stranger when we have a bad day, and the grace we can show one another just as He is gracious to us.

Elizabeth and Zechariah received a wonderful blessing in their son John who would grow up to be a blessing to others. They were chosen by God to be his parents at the time God knew was right, and their community celebrated with them. Throughout their lives they were devoted to God and lived out what Gabriel had foretold. They knew God was with them, and would continue to be with their son as he grew up.

As we celebrate this Advent and Christmas season I pray that you find time to rejoice with your community, stay focused on God and praise Him, and remember that His hand is always with you, too.

Zechariah ’s Song: Breaking the Silence W E D NE S DAY 1 2 /2 0 LU K E 1 : 67-8 0

BY M I R I A M U F F E L M A N ’ 0 7, LUT H E R A N E AST FAC U LTY

Advent is a season of waiting and preparing for the coming of the Savior, both the celebration of His birth and the anticipation of His return. The story of Elizabeth and Zechariah is one of the most famous stories of waiting in the Bible.

At the beginning of our text for this week, we find Zechariah after nine months of waiting for the birth of his own son, John. Waiting…in silence. As we read in Luke 1:5-25, because of Zechariah’s unbelief in God’s promise to bring him a son, he would not be able to speak until God’s promise was fulfilled. I imagine those nine months felt like nine years. Time is funny like that, right? While an hour is always sixty minutes, it seems to fly or crawl, depending on our circumstances. When catching up with a friend after years, the time passes easily. But as a teacher, I can tell you that the last few minutes of the last day of school seem ten times longer than my lunch break.

Nothing slows time like silence! I feel like a kindred spirit with Zechariah.

After almost three years of waiting, on August 25th of this year, my fiancé was issued a visa to immigrate to the United States. The months upon months of silence from the various government agencies involved filled my head with worry. I couldn’t stop wondering if I had filled out the paperwork correctly, if they believed that we were in a real relationship and worst of all—why didn’t we apply sooner? Whoever said, “No news is good news” has never gone through the U.S. Immigration process!

After such a long time of waiting, we had almost become hopeless, wondering if we would be stuck in this process forever. We had grown so accustomed to talking via blurry FaceTime and living our separate but parallel lives that when I would visit our first days together felt strange.

What do we talk about if we’ve spent all day together? I wonder if Zechariah and Elizabeth ever accidentally kept signing to each other to communicate even after John was born because they fell into the habit!

Zechariah had nine months to ponder, wrestle with, agonize over, and meditate on his situation and the work of God in his life. I imagine at first he beat himself up and agonized over his doubt. “Why didn’t I just believe? There was an angel for Pete’s sake! I am a priest, how can I ever lead our people after this?” However, based on his response when finally given his voice back, Zechariah must have begun to understand and pay attention to what this moment truly meant. God helped him turn his rebuke into reward. Without this time to slow down and really spend time thinking about what this all meant, Zechariah might have only understood his son’s birth as a blessing to his family, instead of understanding the bigger picture and the role John would have in preparing the world for the redeeming work of the Messiah.

Zechariah’s song shows his insight into what was still yet to come.

Yes, his song praises God for the birth of his son, but he only spends one verse on this. “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,” (v. 76). The rest of his song focuses on the coming of the Messiah and the salvation of the world through Him. Zechariah belts out his song right before the coming of the Messiah.

Advent is a time of preparation for Jesus’ birth, but also, preparation for the second coming of the Messiah. What would you say when your moment comes to tell others about God’s promise of salvation? What does your song say? Does it prepare the way for the Messiah to find

hearts ready for their Savior? Does it give the knowledge of salvation through tender mercy (v. 77-78)? Does it shine light on those living in darkness and lead to peace (v. 79)?

I encourage us all to spend some time seeking out silence this Advent season. In the weeks of rushing to find the perfect gift and preparing our homes for far-traveling relatives, we also need to just be still and know that He is God. We need to trade in our Carol of the Bells and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing for some Silent Nights to ponder and meditate on the promise of God and our role in His redeeming work—and how we, like Zechariah, can share with great joy the Good News of the Messiah with those who need to hear.

Let Us Be Humbled

SU NDAY 1 2 /24 LU K E 2 : 1 -7

BY ASH L EY KOZA , D I R E CTOR OF D EV E L OP M E N T CL EV E L A N D LUT H E R A N H I GH S C HO O L AS S O C I ATI O N

In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, it is easy to forget the simplicity and humility of the birth of Jesus Christ. This passage, Luke 2:1-7, reminds us of the profound humility in which the Savior of the world entered our lives.

The story begins with a decree from Caesar Augustus, one of the most powerful rulers of his time. He ordered a census, requiring everyone to return to their ancestral hometown to be counted. For Mary and Joseph, this meant a journey to Bethlehem, Joseph’s ancestral home.

Imagine the challenges they faced: a long and difficult journey, the uncertainty of finding shelter, and the physical strain on Mary, who was pregnant. Yet Mary and Joseph obeyed the decree to travel to Bethlehem, trusting in God’s plan even though it seemed inconvenient and uncomfortable. In our own lives, we are often faced with situations that appear challenging or unfavorable, but like Mary and Joseph, we can choose obedience and trust in God’s sovereign plan.

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

The most remarkable part of this story is the setting of Jesus’ birth— a humble stable and a manger. The Savior of the world is born not in a palace but in a stable, a place meant for animals. This scene is a stark and power-

ful reminder that God’s ways are not our ways. He chose humility and simplicity to mark the arrival of His Son. The birth of Jesus in a manger carries a profound message.

God, in His infinite wisdom, chose to enter the world as a vulnerable, dependent baby, born to a humble couple in a small town. This act of humility teaches us several valuable lessons.

The world often celebrates grandeur, power, and wealth.

However, Jesus’ birth in a manger stands in contrast with these worldly values. It shows us that true greatness is found in humility and service, not in the pursuit of earthly glory.

Mary and Joseph were not wealthy or powerful, yet God chose them to be part of His divine plan. This reminds us that God values a humble heart and is near to those who are meek. Being born of such circumstances, Jesus identified with the poor and marginalized from the very beginning of His life. He understands the struggles and hardships of those who have little in this world, offering them hope and dignity.

As we reflect on Luke 2:1-7, may we be humbled by the profound simplicity of Jesus’ birth. Let us remember that God’s plan is not always grand and extravagant by the world’s standards. He often chooses the lowly and the humble to accomplish His purposes. Let us be encouraged to seek humility in our own lives, to value the things that matter most, and to recognize the extraordinary in the ordinary.

In a world that often emphasizes material success and prestige, the birth of Jesus in a manger serves as a powerful reminder to cherish what truly matters. It reminds us to value love, compassion, and service above all else, just as Christ did throughout His life.

As we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth, may we be inspired to embrace humility, both in our relationship with God and in our interactions with others. Let us find joy in the simplicity of Christ’s birth and be reminded of the boundless love God has for each of us, no matter our circumstances.

God’s blessings to you and yours as you celebrate His birth over the next month.

YOU YOURSELVES CAN TESTIFY THAT I SAID, ‘I AM NOT THE MESSIAH BUT AM SENT AHEAD OF HIM.’ -JOHN 3:28

TH E A DV E N T D EVOT I ONA L I S A N ANNUA L PU B LIC AT I ON OF T H E CL EV E L A N D LU THE R A N H I GH SCH OOL ASSOCI AT I ON. YOUR C O NTIN UE D SUP PORT E NA BL E S US TO B E STE A D FAST IN OUR M IS SI ON: TO P R E PA R E A N D E QUI P STU D E NTS TO EXC EL IN SE RV I CE , L E A D E R SH I P, A N D L E A R NI NG W HI L E LIVING AS DI SCI P L E S WH O A R E ROOT E D AND GROU ND E D I N T H E L OV E OF CH R I ST.

WE INVITE YOU TO V I SI T OUR WE BSI T E S FO R U P DATE S , ALUM NI N EWS, A N D SCH OOL I N FOR M ATI O N: CL H SA .ORG LUT H E R A N E AST.ORG LUT H E R A N WE ST.COM PLEAS E A LSO FOL L OW T H E CL H SA AND OU R SCH O O LS ON FACE BOOK, T WI T T E R , A N D I NSTAGR A M .

B LESSI NGS TO YOU A N D YOUR FA M ILY FO R A

Merry Christmas Happy New Year AND A

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