WE ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT THIS YEAR’S ADVENT DEVOTIONAL. LET US REJOICE DURING THIS SEASON AND ALWAYS.
In this year’s CLHSA Advent Devotional, we reflect on Old Testament prophecies that point to the birth of Jesus and the incredible impact He would have on the world.
Knowing what was to come through His birth and life, it’s inspiring to look back at God’s promises in Scripture, see how they were fulfilled in Jesus, and consider what they mean for our own lives today.
In this booklet you will see a Scripture reading and a devotional for each Sunday and Wednesday during Advent.
Sunday 11/30, Isaiah 7:14
Wednesday 12/3, Isaiah 11:1
Sunday 12/7, Micah 5:2-3
Wednesday 12/10, Jeremiah 31:15
Sunday 12/14, Jeremiah 23:5-6
Wednesday 12/17, Numbers 24:17
Sunday 12/21, Isaiah 9:6-7
Wednesday 12/24, Genesis 3:15
Advent Greetings
Christmas is a season of looking back. We pull out old ornaments; for me those are the ones my kids made with too much glue and glitter. We hum along to songs that have been playing for decades. We remember Christmas mornings gone by—who was there, what the house smelled like, the sense of warmth that filled the air. There’s something deeply human about remembering. It roots us. It reminds us of who we are and where we’ve come from.
That’s why Advent—this season of waiting—is such a powerful time to also look back. Long before shepherds heard angels singing and magi followed a star, God was already writing the story of Christmas. The birth of Jesus didn’t arrive out of nowhere; it was the fulfillment of promises whispered through centuries.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:2, 6–7
Imagine hearing these words centuries before Bethlehem—before the manger, before Mary and Joseph, before angels filled the night sky. Isaiah tells us that a child is coming, “And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
It must have sounded impossible. How could a child bring peace to a world filled with conflict? How could God Himself dwell among His people? Yet that is precisely what happened. When Jesus was born, the world at that time was steeped in darkness—political unrest, oppression, violence, and longing. And into that night, a light dawned. God’s promise became flesh and blood, crying softly in a manger. Isaiah’s prophecy reminds us that God never forgets His promises. Even when centuries pass. Even when it feels like hope has gone silent. The light will come, because God’s Word never fails.
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For many of us, the Advent and Christmas seasons stir up nostalgia. It’s It It
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It is easy to let that nostalgia stop at sentiment—the memories, the music, the decorations. But as Christians, remembering is more than reminiscing. It’s a spiritual act. When we remember what God has done, we are strengthened to trust what He is still doing. Looking back to the promises of the Old Testament and seeing their fulfillment in Jesus anchors us in hope for the future.
Jesus came once as a child to redeem us. But Advent reminds us that He will come again to make all things new. Our nostalgia doesn’t just look backward; it turns our eyes toward the future, toward a promise still unfolding.
God’s story didn’t end with the manger . . . it continues in us. Each Christmas, we are invited to step into the story anew—to let the light of Christ shine in our own darkness, to let His peace reign in our hearts, to trust that He is still writing redemption into the fabric of our days.
Maybe this year your world feels uncertain. Maybe you’re carrying burdens you didn’t expect. Maybe you’re longing for the peace Isaiah promised and wondering when it will come.
Take heart: the same God who kept His word in Bethlehem is keeping His word today. The same light that dawned over the shepherds’ fields still breaks into our darkness. And the same Jesus who came as a baby will one day come again as King.
I hope that you enjoy the following scripture and devotions in this year’s booklet and find that truth, whether ancient or ever new, is the hope that carries you through this and every Christmas season.
Ashley Koza
CLHSA DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
The Promise of God With Us
SUNDAY 11/30:
ISAIAH 7:14
BY BEN TRIPLETT, LUTHERAN EAST FACULTY
Imagine making an accurate prediction 740 years from now, but even if you are right, you won’t be there to celebrate it coming to fruition. That is precisely what the prophet Isaiah did when he stated with confidence that Jesus would be born of a virgin. We find this prophecy revealing God’s plan in Isaiah 7:14, which says “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” How could Isaiah know this? Well, this was no lucky guess, rational calculation, or staged magic act. This was “a voice of one calling: in the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; (Isaiah 40:3).” God delivered the message to the Israelites through Isaiah to bring comfort to his people with the knowledge that the Messiah (Jesus) was indeed coming to save them from their sins. John the Baptist became the fulfillment of this prophecy in the New Testament as he prepared the way for Jesus.
If you are thinking the idea of Jesus being born to a virgin seems preposterous and illogical, well, you are not alone. Who would even think to predict such an outrageous claim? The concept seems foreign and contradictory to the basics of human nature. When we fast-forward to the prophecy being fulfilled, notice Mary’s reaction upon receiving such news in Luke 1:34. “Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’m a virgin.” God responds in Luke 1:35: “The angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God.’”
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“To you this night is born a child Of Mary, chosen virgin mild; This little child of lowly birth Shall be the joy of all the earth.”
(From Heaven Above to Earth I Come LSB #358; Stanza 2)
Ever since the beginning of creation, God has accomplished his work in mysterious ways. The outcomes can provide nothing but certainty that God is in control. Just as so many others have throughout history, we can firmly place our faith in God. Noah was tasked with building an ark when there was no flood in sight. Abraham was told to sacrifice his only son after waiting 100 years for Isaac to even be born. Moses stretched out his staff to part the Red Sea when his enemies pressed down on him. God repeatedly delivers faithful believers in mysterious and miraculous ways.
“Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Prepare a bed, soft, undefiled, A quiet chamber set apart For You to dwell within my heart.”
(From Heaven Above to Earth I Come LSB #358; Stanza 13)
I am sure for many of you, like me, learning Stanza 13 was one of the first prayers you were taught. I have many memories of reciting this with my own children at bedtime. Our hymnody comes to us from God’s Word and this hymn, in particular, has been a staple of Christmas Eve programs dating back to the time it was written by Martin Luther in 1534.
The final part of the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 carried with it great significance, stating that Jesus would be named Immanuel. The name Immanuel comes with the meaning “God with us.” This reveals an important truth about Jesus’ identity. He came to earth fully human, but also fully God. He came to Earth to be “God with us.” We know that the city of Bethlehem was beyond full at the time of Jesus’ birth and there appeared to be no room anywhere for Immanuel who would save them from their sins.
In Stanza 13 of the hymn above, God has prepared a room for Jesus to dwell within our heart. This is another mystery that we can not comprehend. And yet, in the waters of baptism we receive the Holy Spirit as a free gift. God claims us and makes us his children. We are washed clean of our sins and renewed by the Holy Spirit. When we receive the Lord’s Supper, Jesus himself is present in the bread and wine. We become recipients of
forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. God is indeed still present with us each and every time we hear the Word of God and receive his Sacraments.
“My heart for very joy must leap; My lips no more can silence keep. I too, must sing with joyful tongue
That sweetest ancient cradlesong”
“Glory to God in highest heav’n, Who unto us His son has giv’n!
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad new year to all the earth.”
(From Heaven Above to Earth I Come LSB #358; Stanza 14 & 15)
The fulfilled prophecy of Jesus’ virgin birth changed everything. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, shepherds left their flock, angels glorified God, and wise men traveled from afar to worship him. They could not ignore God’s perfect gift to mankind. They put their lives on hold to fulfill their part in God’s story and to be blessed by the work God was doing through Jesus. They came to be in God’s presence as they spent time pausing to worship their Savior Jesus—who is the God with us. Then they carried God’s story to the world that others too may know and believe in the Christ child—born to save the world from our sin.
As we prepare for this Christmas season, may God reorder the priorities in our lives. May we too pause to join the faithful in glorifying God at the feet of the Christ child. May we be filled with joy and carry the story to our family, friends, neighbors, and to the ends of the Earth. Together, we carry the story to all mankind: Christ is born in Bethlehem.
From Jesse to Jesus
WEDNESDAY 12/3: ISAIAH 11:1
BY JUDY KING-PERKINS, VICE PRINCIPAL OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION, LUTHERAN EAST
KJV: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
NIV: A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
In writing this devotion, I wanted to see if the meaning matched up in different translations of this key Bible text and for the most part it does. I also wanted to check on the likelihood that a new growth can grow through a tree that has been reduced down to a stump—and then the likelihood that it survives and thrives. It’s one thing for a new growth to come from a stem, but a tree that’s been cut down to the ground? As you can tell, I do not have a green thumb . . . but I was surprised through all of my research to learn that, yes, new growth can sprout up through a tree stump just as it does from the stem or branch of a tree!
The Stem/Stump of Jesse: A Dying Lineage
When a tree is cut down, it is usually for one of a few reasons: It is dying or is diseased
It is a menace on the property of its owners
It is in the way of obtaining a beautiful view It needs to be used for lumber of firewood
The land needs to be cleared for development or agriculture
A stump, a tree cut down to its base, presents an image of a once strong and lively tree that was flourishing, which has now been reduced to a dead remnant of what once was. In the time of Isaiah, the once thriving and blossoming royal line of David, the son of Jesse, had been reduced to near death. It had been “cut down” and forgotten. The Davidic monarchy lost its power spiritually and politically, and looked like a tree that was cut down.
We feel this way in our own life, when our bodies are not as strong or vibrant as they used to be; we’re left with reminders of what we used to be —our hopes, dreams, and plans for the future have been reduced down to a stump. However, we also know that God has a larger plan.
A Shoot Will Come Up: The Promise of a Revival From God
From something that is near death and lifeless, something miraculous happens. Isaiah says “there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse.” Imagine a tiny green shoot emerging from a dead piece of wood. Life finds a way to spring from death and it is by God’s design. This is a prophecy of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would come from the royal line of David. Jesus was born in a manger, with no royal fanfare—quietly, like a shoot coming up from the stump of a dead tree.
New Growth = New Life
Verse 1 continues, and “from his roots, a Branch will bear fruit.” The branch won’t just survive, it will thrive. It will bear fruit in abundance. We see Jesus’ genealogy in the Gospels (Matthew 1 and Luke 3:23–38), which makes it clear that Jesus is the shoot, the branch the one who came to fulfill the prophecy. Romans 15:12, “the Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” This is the fruit-bearing fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus’ birth.
Out of barrenness, God can bring forth fruit. If this season that you’re in feels empty, sterile, bereft remember, God has more in store for you. You may not see the fruit immediately, but the shoot is growing and the seeds will sow.
The Hope of Advent: Jesus is the Branch
Advent is the season of a quiet but active waiting waiting for Christ’s arrival.
In Advent, we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ through his birth. The shoot of Jesse’s stump is Jesus’ first coming in Bethlehem, but it also points to
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a future victory, his second coming, when He will reign in righteousness and peace, conquering evil, sin, and suffering.
We are Living as Branches in the Vine
The life of that shoot out of Jesse’s stump now flows through us. Jesus states in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches”—which means, by faith, we are transferred and inserted into Christ’s lineage.
It signifies that our lives are meant to bear fruit also, no matter how weak, broken, tired, or lost we are. We find our strength in Christ Jesus. In Galatians 5:22-23, Jesus calls us to display the fruit of the spirit through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Even if your life feels like a stump right now, the Spirit of the Lord can bring forth fruit in your life. Even when we’ve been cut down, Jesus remains our root system to bring new life.
God’s Reliability and Steadfastness
Isaiah 11:1 is a promise that God is always working, even when we don’t see it. When everything appears lost, He brings forth life out of death and darkness. From our cold, lifeless winters, come beautiful, bountiful springs; from a cutdown tree, He brings a Saviour.
Birthplace of a King
SUNDAY 12/7:
MICAH 5:2-3
BY RACHEL BENDER '19, LUTHERAN WEST FACULTY
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.
A common question my students ask time and time again is, “Why does this matter and how does it apply to real life?” I don’t blame them. I know I asked the same question when I was a student.
In order for something to be meaningful, a connection has to be made. We all long for connections. This could be a personal connection with someone, a concept connected to what we learned in the past, or a spiritual connection with God. Our own sinful human nature also hungers for connection and meaning. As we look at what is written in the Old Testament, there are clear connections that directly relate to what is fulfilled in the New Testament. By making these connections, we have a better understanding of how trustworthy God’s Word is and how it all points us back to Christ, the Messiah.
In the fifth chapter of the book bearing his name, Micah starts by speaking on God’s behalf, stating how the judges of Israel will be struck down be-
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cause of their wrongdoings. But then immediately in verse 2 he holds out hope and promise saying, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah.” This doesn’t sound like a great start. Micah is pretty direct in his statement that the small population from Judah doesn’t stand a chance.
However, the verse doesn’t stop there. It keeps going: “. . . from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah, speaking on God’s behalf, counters the warnings of the consequences for their disobedience with a message of hope. For the faithful, the Law is always followed by the Gospel.
Sometimes, we as a society just hear the law or the “bad news” and believe that to be the only thing that exists. I encourage you to keep reading and push through that and look at the full verse. Here is the Gospel connection. Although this chapter starts off on a bad note, it foreshadows the ruler of Israel being born in Bethlehem.
How can a small book of the Bible written by one who is referred to as a minor prophet include such an important message as to where the Messiah will be born? Some people don’t even know Micah is a book of the Bible, let alone that it includes such an important prophecy! How can a quaint town, such as Bethlehem, be the birthplace of the one true King? There is even a well-known Christmas song titled “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.”
When I think about the city Bethlehem, I can’t help but think about the comparison of choosing the city of Cleveland for such a significant event versus any of the major metropolitan cities such as New York City. It would be rare! “Bethlehem” comes from the Hebrew, meaning “house of bread” and “Ephrathah” is an ancient name that means “fruitful” or “abundant.” It is important to note that there were multiple Bethlehems, but this one is referring to one specific village located in the southern part of Judah.
A big part of what drives us as sinners is that we want to be noticed. We believe that in being noticed, we will be connected to something bigger than ourselves. Well, Bethlehem was anything but big. In fact, Micah, speaking for the Lord, tells the people that their corruption and idolatry will cause them to be taken captive. However, their captivity would be temporary. Then there would be rescue. Micah writes in verse 3, “He shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.”
The prophecy of the Messiah comes true in Matthew 2:1 which says, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king.” When King Herod inquires of the chief priests and scribes about where Christ was to be born, they say this: “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Not only do the chief priests and scribes state that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, they reference directly back to the prophecy as stated in Micah 5:2-3, 700 years earlier, providing proof that He is the promised Savior!
We need a connection that matters in real life. We find that connection in the little town of Bethlehem where Jesus our Savior was born. Jesus has disconnected us from the punishment for our sins and took them on Himself all the way to the cross. The words of the Prophet Micah find fulfillment in the birth of Jesus recorded in the gospels. And it all has a connection to that little town of Bethlehem. The smallest. The least.
And in real life, it matters.
May you all have a blessed Advent. Let us not only celebrate the birth of the Messiah, but be bold in sharing the good news!
The Loss with The Light
WEDNESDAY 12/10: JEREMIAH
BY REV. JEFF STEELE-STEEBER, LUTHERAN WEST CAMPUS PASTOR
It all started with a simple joke, a playful tease on my part, to get a rise out of my loving wife. “We only have five Christmases left with a kid still living at home.” Our daughter was in her senior year of high school, her future still undecided. Our son was in the middle of his seventh grade year. I know how much my wife cherishes the moments that our family can be together. Therefore, I saw an opportunity to pique her ire. “We only have five Christmases left with a kid still living at home, before we are empty nesters,” I said with a false sense of sadness. “Why would you say that?!” my wife responded, exactly as I had anticipated. I quickly apologized, and we continued on with our Christmas Day celebrations. “There’s only four years left.” “Do you realize that in three more years we will celebrate our last Christmas with a child who lives full time in our house?” “Two more years with a kid living at home!” Then, before I knew it, because that is how time works, I made the playful announcement on Christmas Day, 2024, “This is our last Christmas all together, before both kids have moved onto the next phase of their lives.” Just like every other year, because that is how my wife works, my pronouncement was met with a very specific look that I elicit from my wife, and a response of, “You think I don’t already know that?!” from her as she took in every moment like it could be her last.
Then, the funniest thing happened. My son’s senior year at Lutheran West began. On a mid-August afternoon, as we sat in the MetroParks watching him get his senior year pictures taken, I began to feel a sadness that I had not known before. “This is it,” I realized. “This is the last year before we are empty nesters, and our lives will be forever changed.” When I shared this epiphany
with my beautiful wife, I was met with, “I know. I’ve been keeping track of it for the last eighteen years.” At that moment, I immediately apologized for my past transgressions of misguided teasing, having now experienced firsthand the feeling that a part of your heart, a part of what makes you who you are, will exist apart from you. While you can try your best to support and guide your kids for the inevitable time when they will leave your household, the truth is that all you can do for sure is pray for them, and entrust your precious treasure(s) into the hands of God.
Jeremiah 31:15 states, “This is what the Lord says: A voice was heard in Ramah, a lament with bitter weeping—Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children because they are no more.” Please allow me to make it extremely clear that I am not claiming that my wife and I becoming empty nesters at the conclusion of this school year is 100% akin to the prophet Jeremiah’s poetic declaration connecting the Israelites exile into Babylon to the matriarch Rachel weeping from Heaven for her lost children. My son, Benjamin, is a homebody, and the reality is that he will probably not be attending a college more than two hours away from us. Likewise, while freshmen dorms are not necessarily as cushy as living at home, it’s not as if he is being taken away, not knowing whether or not he will ever see his family again. In addition, at the current moment, our daughter lives less than five minutes away from us. I am certainly blessed. Yet, I believe that every parent, and every person who has ever truly loved another person, will agree that when you love someone with your whole heart you are also making yourself vulnerable. I love my children with every fiber of my being. I would give my life for my children with zero hesitation. I want them to have the future that God wants for them. I also know that when they are no longer “with” me, that not a day will go by without my asking God to protect them from the sin of the world.
The reading from Jeremiah 31 is prophetic for Christians, in one way, because it is found in Matthew 2:18. The Gospel writer quotes the exilic statement in reference to what we learn in verse 16. King Herod, in an effort to destroy the recently born Messiah, orders all the boys under the age of two in the area of Bethlehem to be killed. The Prophet Jeremiah, who is watching the destruction of the Israelites at the hands of the conquering Babylonian empire, can only imagine the Israelite matriarch Rachel, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, weeping uncontrollably at the horrific sight. Likewise, the mothers of the Bethlehemite boys weep over the heinous acts of a murderous king. (continued on next page)
If the story ended there, well, I would not be writing a devotion for an Advent booklet. There would be no Christian faith. There would be no Christmas celebration, because there would be no Easter celebration. We know the story does not end there. The Prophet Jeremiah knew the story did not end at Chapter 31, Verse 15. St. Matthew knew the Gospel did not end at Chapter 2, Verse 18. God knew that the story’s end was not horrific, but salvific.
Jeremiah’s divinely inspired proclamation to the Israelites was continued in the verses following Jeremiah 31:15, with God’s promise that their current sorrow would be wiped away by God’s deliverance from exile. Matthew offers tribute to the heartbroken families who lost their sons at the hand of King Herod, but he knows that his Gospel ends with the destruction of sin, death, and the devil, as the Messiah’s crucifixion and resurrection lays waste to them all.
I know that the life that my wife and I created with the birth and raising of our children will soon be forever changed as our youngest is led by God into the next phase of his life and away from our home. I know that we will undoubtedly weep as we drive away from his dorm when we drop him off at college, just as I will be sad as I take in our last Homecoming, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Prom, and Graduation. The only thing that will get us through it is knowing the truth that this is not the end of the story for our children, or for us. God’s promises hold true, and are always good. Regardless of which stage of life we find ourselves in this year, whether our nests are full or empty, we all share the same truth. This Advent, may we all bask in the loving promise of God, that the birth of the Christ has eternally established the end of our story.
ABranchRighteous
SUNDAY 12/14: JEREMIAH 23:5-6
BY BRANDIE BISCHEL, LUTHERAN WEST FACULTY
5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior. (Jeremiah 23:5–6, NIV)
As a teacher of middle school language arts, I spend my days with words. Both in and out of the classroom, I am constantly editing and analyzing them, digging for a meaning that they often fight to reveal. The words in poetry are especially challenging. If left to interpretation, what the poet actually means is easily misconstrued to fit the reader’s own experiences and needs. In a way, that can be very powerful. We can take in the words of a poem, a song, a sermon, or even a short story and let them meet us exactly where we need them to be at that moment. What means one thing to us can take on a completely different meaning to another. Words are beautiful and powerful in that way.
However, there are also words and phrases that are not open to our own interpretation. For example, a declaration. It’s an assertive word—so final, so powerful. A declaration is solemn and emphatic. We make declarations with the intent to be fully clear in the message we are sending. There
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is no room for interpretation. There is no room for misunderstanding. A president may declare a state of war, a country may declare its independence, a judge may declare a mistrial, or a man and woman may declare their mutual commitment and love to each other at the altar. Each of these situations shows a final and unchangeable statement being made.
So when the Lord makes a declaration, it is evident that He is making Himself clear. Here in Jeremiah, He is issuing a prophetic announcement of the coming of a future king—not just a king, but one who will bring justice, righteousness, and security to the land.
That brings me to the next word: anticipation. By definition, it means a feeling of excitement or apprehension about something that is coming. It’s expected to happen. Notice that this word does not necessarily come with an open meaning, but it does carry both a positive and negative connotation. We can look forward to a wide variety of events in our lives, at all levels of intensity.
Personally, I look forward to Thursday mornings every week of summer because that is when I go to garage sales with my mom and sister. On a much smaller scale, I have, on occasion, really looked forward to what the cafeteria is serving for lunch. But on a different level, I also looked forward to my wedding day, the birth of my children, and still-to-come life moments that haven’t happened yet. I anticipate my vacation to Costa Rica, retiring to a mountain cabin with the love of my life, and seeing my grandchildren one day—just to name a few.
On the other hand, anticipation of undesirable events can transform into worry and anxiety. The negative side of this word almost packs as big of a punch as the positive. For me, it’s the fact that my dog is getting older—it seems by the day. I know what is coming. I anticipate that day with a sorrow that I know all too well. I understand the heartbreak that comes along with having to say goodbye to a beloved pet. For others, it may be awaiting test results that are really just to confirm what is already known.
So you see, we’ve got two words here: declaration and anticipation. The declaration that Jeremiah speaks of is one announcing an anticipation filled with promise, saving grace, and virtue. It is the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I cannot even begin to imagine the reality of what that held for the people of that time. He was coming! It was declared.
The even better news for us as Christians is that we don’t have to imagine it. It is reality. He is coming back! We can hear this declaration with a sense of certainty that only the Lord can deliver.
Throughout this Advent season, and for every Christmas to come, we can look forward to celebrating the season of His first coming as an infant. Even more so, we get to live each day knowing that we have something beyond measure to look forward to—something so much bigger than the positive and meaningful events of our lives that we anticipate with joy. Something so far beyond anything that we can comprehend.
It has been declared that the Savior of the world is on His way! No level of anticipation can prepare us for the never-ending joy and unmistakable clarity that this declaration brings.
So it is my prayer that this Advent and Christmas season, every child of God can anticipate with full confidence exactly what has been declared:
A Star Lights The Way
WEDNESDAY 12/17: NUMBERS 24:17
BY JOEL BAHR, HEAD OF SCHOOL, LUTHERAN WEST
I sit in awe as I begin to really take in God’s workmanship in creating the Bible. God used so many authors on different continents across three different languages and they all tie together to tell one story. How amazing is our God? It is estimated that Jesus fulfilled well over 300 Old Testament prophecies during his earthly ministry. As you have made your way through this Advent Devotional, I pray that this has brought you a deeper appreciation for how truly awesome God is.
Our text comes from the book of Numbers where the Israelites have just set up camp in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan river at Jericho. The king of Moab at that time was Balak and he was fearful for his people and land after he saw what the people of Israel did to the Amorites. He calls upon Balaam, a prophet who is known to be wicked, to curse the Israelites so that he may be able to defeat them and drive them from his land. Balaam listens to the men that Balak sent and He speaks with God who tells him that “you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed” (Numbers 22:12). Balaam refuses to curse God’s people, but Balak is persistent and finally God tells Balaam to “rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you” (Numbers 22:20). Balaam goes with Balak to see the people of Israel camped in his land. Three different times he has altars built and sacrifices made in hopes of getting his way. But, God speaks to Balaam and instead of cursing the people of Israel, Balaam blesses them. Balak is so filled with anger that he sends Balaam away. But before he leaves, Balaam shares one final oracle from God regarding what the people of Israel will do to the people of Moab in latter days.
“I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. It will crush the heads of Moab’s people, cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth.” (Numbers 24:17) Balaam points to the one who is to come, not now with the people of Israel, but later in history who will destroy God’s enemies. “A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel.” The star was a symbol of royalty and the scepter a symbol of royal power and authority. Balaam is sharing that these lost Israelites in the desert may not look like royalty, but one is coming who will.
Balaam’s prophecy is fulfilled in the New Testament. In Matthew 1, we find the genealogy of Jesus Christ where Abraham is father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah, and continuing until Joseph, the father of Jesus. The star, the king is born, and it fills the dark night skies in Bethlehem the night our Savior was born. The Magi, studying the Old Testament prophecy from Balaam, make their way to follow it to the power and authority of the King so that they could worship Him.
Balaam’s fourth and final oracle is the Messianic prophecy. God used Balaam to disclose His plan and His will some 1,500 plus years into the future. The future belongs to God. Conflict, desertion, rebellion, wickedness and sin cannot and will not deter His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. If God kept His word true through Balaam for so many years, what makes you think that He would change His word for you now?
Our world today is a dark, dreadful, and weary place. Too often all we see on the news, hear on TV, and discuss on social media are all things of sin, hate, and the devil. It can be very easy to become discouraged and forgetful of God’s promise to us through the death and resurrection of His son Jesus—our Savior who was announced with that star in the sky. Just as Balaam pointed out that the star will rise and the Magi used it to guide them to the baby in Bethlehem, never forget that He is still that light today. Although this world may be dark, His light continues to shine through His grace and mercy. I get to see it everyday serving the students at Lutheran West. It is my prayer that this Christmas season, you can not only see that light, but that you share that light with others so that they too, like the Magi, may find their Savior.
The Power in His Names
SUNDAY 12/21:
ISAIAH 9:6-7
BY MATT LUECKE ’06 HEAD OF SCHOOL, LUTHERAN EAST
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
While there are many viral trends in modern society that have become too extreme, the most ridiculous trend may be gender reveals. What started innocently as “what color is the cupcake” has evolved into low-grade professional pyrotechnics, and, my personal favorite, an unathletic dadto-be swinging at and missing a baseball. (If you don’t believe me, search “Sawmill Fire 2017” on your favorite search engine). Joking aside, all gender reveals do have one thing in common—excited parents looking forward to the birth of a child.
In Isaiah 9:6-7, we get something far superior to a gender reveal: a Savior reveal. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” In this verse, our Father in Heaven is announcing through Isaiah that His son will be sent to Earth for us. God is promising to every single human that there will be a Savior. We live in a broken world with many empty promises. The best part about God’s promises is that He fulfils every single one of them. What a wonderful role model we have in our Heavenly Father. Are there any promises that you’ve made that you could fulfil this Christmas season?
In Isaiah 9:6-7, the prophecy of Jesus gives an indication of not just a child-to-be, but of what He will be: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The prophecy of Jesus gives an indication of not just who He will be but what he will be, through four names that he will be called. One of the names that Jesus will be called is “Wonderful Counselor.” Our schools are served by School Counselors that provide counsel, advice, and wisdom to our stu dents, along with a myriad of other tasks, duties, and responsibilities. As Christians, Jesus is the ultimate guidance counselor, a supernatural source of extraordinary wisdom. This is great news for us, as we navigate a sinful and challenging world. As we battle through life, Jesus is with us as we encounter the devil and our sinful nature at every turn. As we celebrate the birth of our Wonderful Counselor, what are some areas in your life that need His counsel as we turn the calendar to 2026?
The next name given to Jesus in Isaiah 9 is “Mighty God.” This is a name that acknowledges the superior power and strength that Jesus will have. My earliest encounter with the word mighty comes from my favorite childhood movie: The Mighty Ducks. In this movie, a collection of misfits and outcasts are brought together under a coach, Gordon Bombay, who is assigned to them, and go on to overcome and defeat the powerhouse Hawks. What a wonderful analogy for us as Christians. We are misfits and outcasts bound together, not by quacking at the teacher—rather, through a baby born in a stable and placed in a manger.
The third name Jesus will be called is “Everlasting Father.” This indicates that Jesus will care for us eternally. In our world, it is a father’s duty to care for his children. But as fathers reach an elderly age, those roles are often reversed as fathers become dependent on the care of their children. In Jesus, we receive paternal care eternally as His children. From birth to death, we get an Everlasting Father in Jesus to care for our every need.
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“Prince of Peace” is the final calling given to Jesus in Isaiah 9. In a world that lacks peace at almost every level from the inner-peace of our own mental health, to a nation divided by political differences, and a world at war over long-standing grudges Jesus entered the world, not just to save us from eternal damnation but to be a gift of peace during our time on earth. As there are Christians on both sides of the political divide in our country, Jesus being our Prince of Peace is a helpful reminder that we are ultimately all on the same side as God’s children.
May the words “to us, a child is born, to us a son is given” be a source of counsel, encouragement, and peace for you this Christmas season.
A Savior for Our Sinfulness
WEDNESDAY 12/24:
GENESIS 3:15
BY CHRIS STEINMANN '00 CLHSA SUPERINTENDENT & CEO
I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel. Genesis 3:15
Earlier this year, my wife and I dropped our oldest child off at college to begin her freshman year. Honestly, it does not feel possible that we have an 18 year old who is now ready to be off on her own. It really does seem like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. As we hugged her goodbye and prayed with her before heading home, I couldn’t help but think about all of the time and effort that we invested in her over nearly two decades that culminated with her stepping into this next phase of life. More than a few tears were shed by our family as we parted. I was simultaneously filled with incredible joy at the young woman she has grown to be and an incredible sadness that she was leaving. I’m sure that many parents who are reading this devotional know that exact same mixture of emotions!
The first time that God gives us a glimpse into his plan for our redemption is all the way back in Genesis, right after the Fall. We’re told in Genesis 3 that there is going to be a child born who will come and destroy the Serpent— and then there are more than a few centuries of waiting for that promise to fi nally be fulfilled. As we’ve seen in these devotions, God’s plan was intricately laid out over the Old Testament. He spent years planning out the details of our redemption through Jesus Christ. Our family had 18 years to prepare for our children to leave home—imagine having centuries to prepare for an event like Christmas morning!
That is where this passage in Genesis really speaks to us about the nature of our loving God. We see in the Genesis 3 account that we only need a Savior because of our sinfulness. Had we not disobeyed God’s instructions, there would be no reason for Christmas to even happen. We also know that the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy isn’t Christmas morning with the birth of Jesus, but with Good Friday and the death of that child born on Christmas morning. If ever there was a time for an incredible sadness to accompany the incredible joy of a newborn baby, it might be Christmas morning. God knew that His redemption story was ultimately going to cost everything including the death of God Himself on the cross.
But we see that God’s reaction to the birth of Jesus is completely different from the mixture of excitement and sadness that we feel when our children leave home. We don’t see even a hint of sadness in this world-changing event. Instead, we see a God who lovingly chooses to leave heaven and begin a life on earth that will ultimately end in suffering and death. And he’s so excited about this plan that he sends a host of angels to sing about it! His dedication to and love for humanity is so great that there is only joy on Christmas morning. Instead of the tears that we shed in sadness at our children leaving, our Lord promises that this child born on Christmas morning will bring about an end to all of our tears at his second coming.
As we approach Christmas, we can never forget why we need Christmas in the first place. It is because of our sinfulness that Jesus was born. But we can never forget that God loves us so much that He chose to leave heaven and become a man. Heaven rejoiced at the birth of Christ. This Christmas, we worship a God who is ushering in a world where sadness is defeated and joy reigns supreme. Praise be to God who first promised this victorious joy back in Genesis 3.
BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR A AND A
Merry Christmas Happy New Year
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