Covenant Advent Devotional

Advent Devotional

Introduction

T

he advent season is a joyful time for families and churches. The four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be busy—days filled with shopping, decorating, baking, etc. We focus on preparing for a celebration, but we often relegate the true meaning of this time behind our immediate push for more presents, more dinners, more parties.

The word advent comes from Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming” or “arrival.” The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his first advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his second advent.

Advent, according to the Presbyterian Mission Agency website (presbyterianmission.org), presents an opportunity for communal discernment and personal examination as we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his coming again. Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation as we affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power.

This year, several Covenant members have prepared our own advent devotional. We encourage you to

take some time every day to read these pages as you prepare, not for another trip to the mall, but for Christ’s birth. Focus, this season, on the coming of Jesus Christ, on celebrating his birth and on the hope that He will come again.

This advent devotional has four sections corresponding to the four weeks of advent: hope, peace, joy and love. These stories are written by members who you may know, who you may sit beside at worship or with whom you may participate in a small group or sing in the choir. The team working on the book suggests that you take time to meditate over these passages and use the extra space at the end of the devotions to record your feelings. Pray and take time to embrace the season’s true meaning.

As Pastor Thomas Daniel writes in his devotion, “We worship a God who is more than a spirit, more than a feeling, more than an emotion. The advent season gives a chance to welcome our newborn King and eagerly anticipate his return.”

May this book be a blessing to you and your family as we prepare for His arrival.

•

1

Hope Speak

November 30, Sunday

Hope Psalm 150; Matthew 25:1-13; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-11 by munn hinds

A

s I think about Advent, I like to look back on family celebrations when I was a child. It was a time to gather together as families, cousins and all, sharing joys and excitement as we looked forward to Christmas. I have fond memories of my father reading from Matthew and Luke of the coming of Immanuel—God with us. I also look forward to a time when we will all be together again celebrating the complete fulfillment of the promises made at Christ’s birth and those that are still to be fulfilled.

The theme of this first week of Advent is HOPE. As we enter this season, we look back to the hope we have in the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, we see promises that one would come to redeem his people, a savior who would show us how much God has loved us from the beginning of creation to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan and purposes for us, the world, the universe and everything in it. Therefore, Advent is a time of celebration.

The psalmist says in Psalm 150 that we need to praise God, not only in church during our times of worship, but everywhere, at all times and in every way: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

Hope also means that we need to look forward to the fulfillment of the promise that Jesus will come again. It is a time of preparation, not only on December 25 each year, but as Jesus reminds us in the parable of the bridesmaids (Matthew 25) our bridegroom is coming, we do not know when. Paul says in the epistle reading that Jesus will come like a thief in the night. These scriptures are reminders that there are some things that cannot be readied at the last minute, so we must always be prepared. As we enter this Advent season some are already well prepared, with presents bought and wrapped, meals planned, guest invited. All of us need to be just as prepared for whenever Christ will come—whether that is today, this Advent season, or not for many years to come.

• Prayer Our hope is in you Lord Jesus. We can never be grateful or thankful enough that you came to earth more than 2000 years ago to show your love for us. We love you in return and in your life, death and resurrection claim the hope of life eternal.

3

December 1, Monday

Calling Jesus Psalm 40:16-17 and Psalm 145:1-6 by annette palmer

S

ome years ago our family traveled through snowladen mountains in Colorado, hoping to reach our destination soon and enjoy several days of snow skiing. I heard a strange noise erupt from the back seat and, quickly turning, saw what I thought was my youngest son, choking. I cried out, “JESUS!!!”

It was a cry for help and I knew in that instant that no matter what happened, no matter the outcome, He was always with me. My husband stopped the vehicle. It became apparent our son was not choking but was having a seizure. We were not aware that he had ever had a seizure but learned later he had them occasionally when he fell asleep.

My husband and older son tried to make the young one comfortable as the seizure continued. Cars and

trucks drove rapidly by. My call to EMS did not go through due to lack of service and I attempted to flag down help. Only moments passed before a large van filled with adults and high school youth on a church-sponsored trip stopped. They called EMS for me using a special industrial phone they had taken just for this trip. The moment the van drove away, a car stopped and two men emerged saying, “We are pediatricians from London attending a conference in Denver. Can we be of help?”

I could not have been more amazed that out of the many vehicles driving by, the two that stopped had exactly what was needed. To this day, I marvel at what was, to me, a miraculous answer to the cry of “Jesus!!!”

• Prayer I lift You high in praise, my God! And I’ll bless Your Name forever. God is magnificent! He can never be praised enough. Let all those who seek Him rejoice and be glad. Let such as love Your salvation say continually, the Lord be exalted! Though I am poor and needy, the Lord remembers me. He is my help and my deliverer.

Hope 4

December 2, Tuesday

Repentance and Restoration Isaiah 1:21-31; 2 Peter 3:1-10; Luke 20:9-18; Amos 3:1-11 by dave ferguson

I

t is hard for us to imagine the mindset of the Israelites as they wandered from watering hole to watering hole in “God’s promised land.” If this God of Moses was so great, why did people continue to cheat and steal and threaten their households?

Perhaps it was this frustration that inspired the Psalmists and Prophets to speak of how God would deal harshly with those who robbed and cheated.

The elders, citing the prophets, assured the people that God would smite evil doers and rejoice in the restoration of those who would repent. Isaiah assured Jerusalem that God would punish those who govern deceitfully and He would make order out of chaos. Even in a more prosperous time, the Prophet Amos warned not to store up negative things lest we miss the essence of the purpose God has for our lives. Through the Psalmists and the Prophets, God promised a savior to lead them and He sent Jesus.

Jesus turned out to be a man of peace—a relatively gentle soul—not the sword-wielding king they hoped for. Believers were now faced with bullies and cynics doubting Jesus’ power and authority. So God sent a new set of “coaches.” Paul, the apostle, pled with the people of Thessalonica to “live a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” Peter, the apostle, counselled patience.

He advised us to look forward and not to be limited by the present; to take the minutia and negatives to God in prayer and He would lift them up.

Advent is a time of prayer, fasting and repentance enhanced by anticipation, hope and joy. It is a time of renewal as we remember the coming of the Savior—a time to repent of our negative thoughts and actions and pray for God’s merciful restoration.

• Prayer Dear Father, I hand my negativity and wrongdoing over to you this day in anticipation, once again, of the coming of the Savior. He is truly my hope and my salvation. I can hardly wait. Amen

5

December 3, Wednesday

Following Through Matthew 21:28-32 by meredith weatherby

I

n this parable, which son do you relate to? As I read it, memories popped into my head of times when I had promised someone I’d do something and did not follow through. Even now, I remember the regret of saying yes to something only to completely drop the ball. I wonder, why didn’t I do what I said?

Why did I say yes in the first place? The son in this story who said yes probably did so for the same reasons we do. He wanted to look good, to be liked, and probably he even meant to go out and work.

We do this, too. We don’t want to upset people, we want to look good and accomplish much, so we

say yes to others when they ask us to get involved somewhere. We do this before we even ask God if this is a place He wants us to be involved. Many of us are so busy from saying yes so often that we do not set aside the time to listen for God, and therefore we don’t hear Him when He asks us to work in His vineyard. God asks us this day to take the time to hear His voice and say yes. And when we follow through on what God has asked us to do, the blessings He gives us when we do what He calls us to do are beyond measure.

• Prayer God, please help us to listen for Your voice as we go through this day. There are many great things to get involved in but only certain ones that You have set aside for us. Help us be like Peter, to desire to be where You are and to say yes to your command. We know that whatever You call us to will bring us joy and fulfillment.

Hope 6

December 4, Thursday

First and Second Advent Amos 4:4-13 and Psalm 62 by wm. l. mcgavran iii, m.d.

T

he word "advent" comes from the Latin "adventus", meaning "arrival." The birth of Jesus, Son of God, signaled the Church’s true beginning.

The season of Advent marks the beginning of the Church year, a period of preparation for celebrating the Nativity of Jesus (His first Advent) and of longing, waiting, and preparing for His Second Advent.

Post-exile Jews, who had been ruled by Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and finally Rome, remembered their treasured past and longed for a messiah to rise up and release them from more than 700 years of bondage. The scriptures told them that their suffering was the result of their evil ways and that they must return to God for succor and relief.

(Amos 4:4-13) The Jews of first century AD Palestine rightly recognized Jesus as sent from God, but mistakenly viewed him as a worldly "anointed one" who would throw off the shackles of Rome and be their king. The truth of His mission disappointed and infuriated

them, and they had him crucified. So passed the first Advent.

The church of sixth century AD saw Advent as a time of contemplation, fasting, penitence and prayer, similar to Lent. This somber tradition gradually changed into prayerful expectation and anticipation of the second Advent of our Christ and a joyful celebration of His birth.

Like the post-exile Jews, we are shackled with the consequences of our failure to obey the Law of God—wars, disease, floods, famine, to name a few.

Today's world once again cries out for protection and deliverance. We Christians, although probably no better than our non-Christian neighbors, have a great advantage. We know our Messiah has already come with His saving Grace and will come again to claim his own. Our chief goal, therefore, is to live in preparation for his Second Advent, which we celebrate each year at this time. Would that the Advent season could last all year for all peoples. (Psalm 62)

•

7

December 5, Friday

Finding Joy Psalms 16:5-11 by mckenzie green

O

ften in the holiday season, we hear the phrase “keep the Christ in Christmas.” Sometimes we feel like enjoying meals, gifts (both giving and receiving), beautiful decorations, and even time with our families without having to take the time for services, prayers, and a holy and loving attitude.

Focusing all the activities around Jesus’ birth can seem like more of a chore than a blessing. These verses are a beautiful reminder that allowing God to fill our holidays with his spirit is a joy, not just extra effort. With God, we learn to find happiness in what we have instead of yearning for what we don’t.

In God, even the most stressful moments have a clear end in sight; everything will always go according to His plan. When we are focused on God, we find ourselves without time to worry about the details of things that won’t even matter in a month.

Too often, we see following the Lord as more work, yet if we allow it to become our way of life, we find it to be the most natural and peaceful joy of all. In God, we truly see all of our blessings, big and small, and realize that our faith isn’t about avoiding earthly pleasures; it’s about finding comfort and true happiness in something bigger than we understand. When you are disappointed by your plans not going the way you imagined, God is never going to be a disappointment. His love will never be anything less than extraordinary and complete, and knowing that is the furthest thing from a chore that I can imagine.

As we work hard to accomplish all the extra work that goes along with the Advent season, let us let go of working hard to fit God into our lives as an extra task. Instead, let us see Him as the only gift that comes to us freely with true joy.

• Prayer Lord, let us be continually amazed by you and washed in peace and joy at your presence. Amen.

Hope 8

December 6, Saturday

Season of Distraction Luke 21:5-19 by johnny williamson

I

n this passage, Jesus emphasizes the many obstacles, calamities, and deceptions that Mankind will face before the dwelling of God is revealed to his people. This Season of Distraction, as I call it, is no different than our current “season” immersed in the trappings of commercialization; the perceived need for constant contact and information through computers, smart phones, and the like; and the art of burning the candle at both ends in our daily lives to feel fulfilled and or complete. Both “seasons” ultimately pluck us from a path of standing firm in Him to gain everlasting life, and instead lead us off into the weeds – more lost sheep for God to drag out of the undergrowth, kicking and bleating.

How are you impacted by today’s distractions? Are you aware of what they are, how they consume your time and attention, and to what extent? How might your life, faith, and relationships be enriched by this self-introspection? Pastor Daniel has asked us in

sermons to think about priorities in our lives and to contrast those with Jesus’ priorities. Mankind’s priorities are many times tied to the above distractions, whether our favorite sports team, our work, our family, politics, world events good and bad, or others – all worthy in their own right. But where do these priorities fall to Jesus? Ultimately, we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and spirit, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

So, how do we realign our lives after making such an assessment, and stay on His path? What if we donned a set of imaginary blinders to keep us focused on Jesus’ priorities and teachings, rather than being led astray by the distractions of this world? They could also reduce our chances of being spooked and making a run for it when our burdens are heavy, noisy world events occur, or charlatans tempt us with a nice, shiny apple. The reins are all yours.

• Prayer Loving God, please forgive us for being so distracted in our lives and surroundings. We need help prioritizing our time, resources, energy and attention to align with Your priorities. Please strengthen us to take action to untangle our lives, so that we can stand firm in Your call to us. Amen.

9

Peace Speak

December 7, Sunday

Life in the Vine Isaiah 5:1-7 by jill williams

I

n the Old Testament, the vineyard is a metaphor for the people of Israel and God, the vinegrower who tends it lovingly and carefully. Even though God invested great effort, it did not produce the fruit for which he labored. The Hebrew people failed to live rightly with God, turning instead to idol worship and to wallowing in sin.

We belong to God through Christ, so we are his vineyard. In the New Testament (John 15:1-8) we see a picture of attachment to Jesus as a branch is attached to a vine. Life in the vine flows into the branches. This is when fruit-bearing is possible. It is a picture of God doing for us what we cannot do ourselves. The danger comes when we try to do life without the Vine.

If you are like me, there is a tension between desire and reality during Christmas. I desire foremost to

faithfully follow Christ and to worship with abandon, yet I am often distracted with all the busyness within and around me. I desire to be generous with my time and gift-giving, yet the reality of my calendar and bank account constrains me. As my annual Christmas flight to Florida approaches, I hope and pray for the experience of peace in my family relationships, but history reminds me that this peace is sometimes elusive during Christmas.

The most challenging place for many of us to pursue biblical peacemaking and to exhibit the fruit and gift of peace tends to be within our families. I’m learning that peacemaking requires forgiveness; without forgiveness there is no way I can offer shalom to my family. Can shalom be a reality for us this Christmas? When God looks upon us this advent season, will God see the sweet grapes he expects, or bitter grapes instead?

• Prayer Generous God, as you did for Israel so many centuries ago, you continue to do for us. You tend us with loving care, giving us everything we need for fruitful living. Yet sadly, our fruit is not what you always long for or expect. Forgive us, Lord. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Come and make your home with us. May our lives produce sweet fruit this advent. All for your glory! Amen.

11

December 8, Monday

God’s Peace for Our Time Psalm 145:14 by bill and carol short

W

orldly peace can be nothing more than an absence of conflict, with little, if any, substance in and of itself. In 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain exchanged the freedom of the Sudetenland portion of Czechoslovakia for a promise by Hitler to not wage war. Chamberlain proclaimed “a peace for our time.” We all know how that turned out.

The Peace of God is different from the peace of the world. It has a substance of its own, a blessing and comfort that surpasses all human understanding. It is something we can rely on in times of our greatest need.

Having suddenly lost a best friend of 30 years, I (Carol) have been in mourning with much sadness.

The friend, special beyond words, left behind many, many friends and a daughter who loved her enormously and relied on her heavily to help care for her

two little girls. I call often to offer a listening ear, and sometimes we cry together. Mostly, I just want to “fix it.”

How does one deal with a self-imposed burden of trying to “fix” someone else’s situation? Psalm 145:14 speaks to that: “The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down (NRSA).” In other words, He gives His peace not only to the one trying to fix a situation, but also to the one whose situation needs fixing. In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young says, “As you give yourself more and more to a life constant in communication with (Jesus), you will find that you have no time for worry. Thus you are freed to let (Jesus’) Spirit direct your steps, enabling you to walk along the path of peace.”

This is a reminder of what we are called to do—to trust in Him and rely on His infinite strength and wisdom rather than our own.

• Prayer Dear Lord, thank you for your continuing love and provision for us. Help us to rely on Your peace in living our lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Peace 12

December 9, Tuesday

Learning to Wait Psalm 33: 21-22 by leslie bagby

N

ot many of us like to wait. This past year I have waited (not so patiently) to complete cancer treatment. I prayed to get through chemotherapy and counted down four treatments three weeks apart. I waited for my strength to come back before starting radiation. I waited for the burns to heal. I couldn’t wait for my “end of treatment” vacation, and I continue to wait for my hair to grow back. Looking back, God has been my help and shield during this time of waiting. He provided abundantly through friends and family, meals, encouraging cards and emails. Perhaps all of us are waiting for something to get behind us or to finally reach a destination after a long journey.

traditional meals and travel. It is exciting and exhausting. Christ’s coming gets lost in the daily grind—and especially when trying to untangle the Christmas lights. And just like other seasons of waiting, I forget to rejoice, trust, and remember God’s unfailing love in the midst of chaos.

The season of Advent is a time of waiting, too. We get to experience “the coming of Christ” every year. The annual march toward Christmas Day is filled with shopping, decorating, Christmas cards,

This is a reminder of what we are called to do—to trust in Him and rely on His infinite strength and wisdom rather than our own.

But when I do, I am blessed with hope, encouragement, patience and strength for that moment. The things that we wait for are nothing compared to the hope that comes when we trust God and his plan.

When the gifts are unwrapped and the tree sits by the curb in January, we still have the gift of Jesus that stays with us throughout the year.

• Prayer Dear Lord, Bless us during this time of waiting for Immanuel, “God with us.” Help us to focus on your unfailing love and the gift of Jesus Christ. We pray for us to see with new eyes and to rejoice in this season of Advent.

Amen

13

December 10, Wednesday

Remember Psalm 17:15, Psalm 50:22-23, Isaiah 6:1-13, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 by skipper crowe Advent. Similar words are “arrival, incarnation, coming.” The focus of the season in church events is two-fold: the celebration of the birth of Jesus and the anticipation of the return of Christ. Advent is far more than simply marking a 2000 year-old event in history!

This realization places me, you, and this congregation somewhere between the past and the future.

We live “between the times.” For me, this realization makes the approach of this Christmas season very different. Some reflection and self—examination has already revealed my lack of preparation for the Second Advent. How does the immediacy of Christ’s return shape my attitudes, my mission (goals), my activities, and my calendar? What are my priorities, my hopes, even my relationships with who and why?

In the midst of all this, I recognize God keeps us in “the dark” as to when things will happen, particularly things like the end of the world or our individual time. Confession #1: I do not know when—but I chose to believe with certainty that God is sovereign and He can never lie. He simply does what He says He will do! Confession #2: I do not truly anticipate

Christ’s second coming. I am almost totally wrapped up in enjoying and fulfilling today and planning tomorrow, so busy with the right now!

So what do I do today? As David did—draw near, seek God’s presence (Psalm 17:15). As Isaiah did— confess, surrender and offer self to God’s use (Isaiah 6:1-13). As Asaph did—take God’s merciful message for those who have forgotten Him to thank Him, honor Him, and repent to Him (Psalm 50:22-23).

As Psalm 147:11 says—wait with expectation of His return and you will receive His favor. As Paul states—wait with patience for God’s judgment and retribution at His second coming to those who have afflicted you (2 Thessalonians. 1:1-12).

Yes, it really boils down to “remember to remember!” Once a day every day during this Advent, to repeat the last recorded prayer in Scripture, “Come Lord Jesus.” As a solid Christ follower once said, “Will Christ’s Second Coming be a disruption in your activities or a fulfillment of your hopes?”

Caught up in the celebration of this world, I have to remember to wait with anticipation for the dawning of the next world.

•

Peace 14

December 11, Thursday

Appearances Matthew 23:13-26 by melissa gaskill

T

his scripture is only one of many times in the Bible that God reminds us that he looks at the inside of a person and not the outside, that he cares about what is in our hearts, not what is on our bodies. Yet, like the Pharisees, we live in a society obsessed by appearances, even this time of year. At Christmas, we’re expected to fill our homes with magazine-photo-worthy decorations, give beautifully wrapped gifts, and create Norman Rockwell-esque Christmas dinners, snap photos of clean and well-behaved children in adorable outfits. It is easy to get caught up in these trappings

of Christmas, to spend so much time and effort and money on appearances that we no longer remember and celebrate the birth of our Savior.

We forget to rejoice in the One who truly knows us and yet loves us. As Jesus said to the Pharisees, the gift on the altar becomes of more value than the altar itself. We decorate, buy the gifts, and sing the hymns and yet neglect praising God, reaching out to those in need, or sharing the real gift of the season, the Good News. Everything may look good on the outside, but on the inside, we are full of greed and self-indulgence, just as the Pharisees were.

• Prayer Today, I pray that God will turn my focus to the sanctuary and the altar, “the throne of God” and “the one seated upon it,” as the scripture says. I pray he will help me to slow down and step back, to prepare my heart and not just my house for the season. I pray that God prepares me to practice justice, mercy and faith with every person He places in my path today.

15

December 12, Friday

Glory Psalm 148 by james marroquin

T

he Westminster Shorter Catechism proclaims that "the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Psalm 148 shows the rest of creation joining human beings in praising and delighting in God. The angels, sun and moon, shining stars, mountains, trees, sea creatures, and birds each in their own way reflect His glory. A commentator on this Psalm writes that "all creation is like a majestic symphony or a great choir composed of many harmonious parts that together offer up songs of praise."

This Psalm reminds me of C.S. Lewis' suggestion that each person "knows and praises one aspect of the divine beauty better than any other creature can." God makes each of us to reflect His glory in a unique way. Every human being is a beloved, carefully made mirror of His magnificence. Genuinely seeing that reality should generate a profound appreciation of ourselves, every person we encounter, and indeed all of God's creation.

• Prayer Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Thank You for sharing Your infinitely vast and rich love with us. Take us into Your life, that we might join in with the rest of Your creation in offering You praise and thanksgiving. Give us eyes to see Your prolific artistry reflected in each other and the rest of Your world.

Peace 16

December 13, Saturday

The Spirit of Christmas vs. the Spirit of God Revelation 3:1-6 by julie bou What on earth does this passage have to do with Advent, you might ask? The Holy Spirit and I wrestled with this for several days. First, a few words of explanation. The seven spirits of God refer to the seven attributes of the Holy Spirit as designated in Isaiah 11:2. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches of Asia (Turkey), which represent the church universal. All believers should recognize themselves among the strengths and weaknesses of these seven churches and heed the warnings to them.

In this section, the church of Sardis is described as dead yet looking very much alive, something like a well made-up corpse. This is a believer who is busy practicing his religion yet dead to the spirit of God

within. About this time of year, how often are we so caught up striving after the “spirit of Christmas” that we can’t hear the Spirit of God in our hearts?

How often do all the unfinished preparations for a perfect holiday create so much pressure that it strains relationships with those we love most?

Be among the few people of Sardis who would have been victorious over the Christmas stress, had they lived in our time. Hold fast to the Word of God that you have received. If you’re reading this daily Advent devotional you’re probably on the right track. As each activity or preparation piles up, see how it measures up in the scope of eternity in the sight of God. Give yourself permission to let go of the things that don’t really matter to the Kingdom of Heaven.

• Prayer Lord, we live to walk with Christ, dressed in righteousness, that one day You may personally present us to the Father. Amen.

17

Joy Speak

December 14, Sunday

God’s Time John 5:30-47 by tom and ann brown

H

aving earlier offended the rabbis by his claim of equality with God (v. 18), here Jesus gives additional testimony to his divinity, including that of John the Baptist, the testimony of his miracles, the prophecy of Moses, even the testimony of God, his Father. He then chides the Jews for their blind unbelief. What audacity! Just who does Jesus think he is?

so has Life Eternal mingled in the womb with our mortal nature to confound the tomb.

Truthfully, is Christianity not an audacious faith?

Almighty God became man to come and dwell among us? Really? The following lyrics express it beautifully.

*Translated, “Bethlehem” means “house of bread.”

When God's time had ripened, Mary's womb bore fruit, scion of the Godhead, sprung from Jesse's root: so the True Vine branches from the lily's stem, the Rose without blemish blooms in Bethlehem.

Wise hearts discover truth in paradox: Reason cannot explain paradox, only faith. We have to lose our lives to gain them, get out of the boat and experience danger, fear and failure in order to discover safety, strength and purpose. Jesus is paradox, God and man, power and humility, master and servant, death and life, beginning and end.

Jesus is wholeness, eternity, completion, essence, transcendence, grace, GOD. We can’t know or learn this truth; we can only receive it in “God’s time.”

More than mind can fathom, limit or untwine, this mysterious yoking, human and divine, but what reason fetters faith at length unlocks, and wise hearts discover truth in paradox.

As the Bread of heaven, that we might be fed, chose a manger cradle in the *House of Bread,

For this swaddled infant in a humble place holds our hope of glory and our means of grace; in the Love enfleshed here dawns the world's rebirth, promise of salvation, pledge of peace on earth.

Carl P. Daw, Jr, ©1990 Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, Ill. Used by permission.

•

19

December 15, Monday

Joy To the World!

John 3:16-21; Psalm 150 by jan keezel

O

rnaments, decorations, trees and angels! The Christmas season is so exciting with its glitz and beauty, and I do enjoy Advent and all its glory. I like to see how other people do their holiday preparations. I like to put out my own collections, including all of my “JOY” items. I have a friend who also collects Christmas things that say “JOY,” and we have a lot of fun trying to find the perfect item for each other every year. I collect Christmas items with that word to remind me that I need to experience great pleasure, happiness and excitement in this little baby whose birth we celebrate each year. But these are just sentimental decorations that give me delight.

What is true joy and how do we find it and keep it?

Our true joy as Christians is based on the passage from John that tells us God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to save us from all our sin and that we will live eternally with Him. What we see now is the

world as a broken, sinful place where we all experience sorrow and grief. Celebrating the birth of Jesus gives a sense of wonder and renewed hope that we will not always have these burdens. We will live with Christ in a new life with no more tears, pain or infirmity of this earthly body. That will certainly cause us to rejoice!

Holidays are great, and so is the promise of heaven, but what about normal, everyday life? Can we live day-to-day with the joy of Christmas? Yes, if we remember the miracle. A baby in a manger became a King and a Savior! Praise God! If we want to keep the spirit of Christmas alive we need to praise God and thank Him continually. Prayer, love, and exuberant praise are needed to keep that spirit of joy.

“Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!” Not just at Christmas, but always!

•

Joy 20

December 16, Tuesday

Offering Praise and Thanksgiving Psalms 33 and 85 by dave and karen maxwell

A

s a family, we make it a practice to say “Grace� before every meal we share together. At home, in restaurants, just the two of us, with family, and with friends, we hold hands and offer praise and thanksgiving to our God for the blessings and graciousness He provides. Sometimes our simple prayer of thanks turns into a seemingly unending recital of concerns for family members, friends, and coworkers akin to the acceptance speech of an academy award winner recognizing everyone who made it all possible. This simple and faithful act is an opportunity to physically and emotionally connect with our Father and with each other.

Psalm 33 reminds us that our Creator, Savior, and Deliverer is worthy of our trust and praise. We can rejoice in His faithfulness and His Word through songs of thankfulness and praise. Our salvation rests

in our faith, our trust, and our reverence for God and His mercy and forgiveness.

Are you in a routine of expressing gratitude and praise to our Lord for His faithful provision, mercy, and protection? Even a simple prayer at meal time allows us to recognize our loving Father, the source of all good things, with joy, reverence, hope, and fellowship.

During this busy Advent season, be reminded that we are called to praise joyfully and reverently, trusting in Him. Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him (Psalm 33:1). In him our hearts rejoice for we trust in his holy name (Psalm 33:21). Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land (Psalm 85:9).

• Prayer Heavenly Father, place in us a thankful and humble heart and help us to focus on you daily with songs of praise and thanksgiving for your graciousness and blessings.

21

December 17, Wednesday

The Servant Matthew 24:45-51 by rehm maham, student

T

oday I'm talking about how we are servants of God. I start when, in the beginning, God created us and put us in charge of the Earth. This shows how we are the servant in charge of the other servants and all of our master’s possessions. Sadly, we eventually stopped seeing God as often and strayed away from what he wanted us to do. We became sinful and started to do things God never wanted us to do. We know God will come back one day and restore himself as master. We must ask ourselves whether or not we are ready for that hour and whether we are living an honorable life?

What could we do so we are ready when God comes back? We must bring ourselves away from sin and

live our lives worshiping God. We need to take care of creation which God has bestowed upon us. We can be certain that sin will continue to tempt us but we must remain ready for the day when God will return. Though we must ask ourselves, are we going to be the servant who is drunk or the servant who is honorable?

Think about what you can do to be ready for the day that God comes back to Earth. Pray that you will know what it is that God wants you to do as his servant and how you can be ready for when he comes again.

•

Joy 22

December 18, Thursday

Christmas Every Day Isaiah 11:1-9 by terry cole

C

hristmas is only a week away! It's so exciting.

There is so much to do and to take in and to enjoy. But for what are we waiting?

this week. Wars are still fought, but ceasefires can be arranged this week. The wicked are still out there but they may have a turn of heart this week. Is that it? Is it all for a "sweet moment" and then back to business as usual?

Christmas may be a wonderful day of activities for you, yet there are years when plans change.

Medical emergencies, weather or travel problems upend everything. I remember feeling huge disappointment when Christmas plans crashed. Does Christmas come anyway, even if things turn out different than planned?

Isaiah 11 says the Spirit of the Lord will arrive! We celebrate this truth in Christmas, yet all will not be perfect when Christmas arrives. Even if everything goes according to your plans, a lot in the world is just messed up. But the Lord will judge not according to what he sees or hears, but according to what is right. Goodness and faithfulness arrive with Him. Christmas promises a different day for many. The poor are still needy but more can be done for them

The kingdom of God is amazing. Heaven and earth under His control were perfect in the beginning.

Then there was the fall as God's laws were not followed. We seek to follow many laws other than His today. I often seek to replace His kingdom with my kingdom.

But the coming of Jesus set in motion restoration.

God found a way for his laws to be whole through the sacrifice and atonement of Jesus. A baby leads us into a restoration beyond our imaginations.

The poor are satisfied. Wars cease. The wicked are brought to justice or cease their evil. No one does harm in the kingdom of God. The knowledge of who Jesus is fills the earth. Every day is like a perfect Christmas day!

• Prayer Lord, I know your new kingdom is not yet here, but it is coming! We celebrate that as we remember the coming of baby Jesus. Show me moments of your Kingdom as I move toward Christmas. Help me to feel the joy of earth, heaven and nature being restored.

23

December 19, Friday

Trust Luke 1:1-25 by matt dow

Z

echariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” I love Zechariah.

Great resume. Jewish priest, so he held a good position in his community. Member of the priestly order of Abijah, so Zechariah hung out with the right people. Luke describes Zechariah as "Righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations." Zechariah even married well; his wife Elizabeth was "from the priestly line of Aaron." Yet when it came to placing his complete trust in God, Zechariah couldn't quite get there. All that rule-following and church-going was good, but was Zechariah really partnering with God and living by faith?

I love Zechariah because I'm just like him. Partner in a big law firm. Go to church most Sundays.

Serve on a church committee. Board member for the local food bank. Follow the rules (well, try to at least). That stature and reputation is important to me. Hanging out with the right people is important

to me. But God wants me to be in a real relationship with Him. To partner with Him. To listen to the Holy Spirit. Respond to Christ's sacrifice on the cross by loving others. Trust in God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. As he did Zechariah, God is calling me to not just follow the rules and be religious. Rather, God called Zechariah and is calling me to let go of my focus on self and be in a transformational relationship with the living Christ. Transformational because it turns my focus from self (including my stature and reputation) to the Kingdom of God: loving others, serving and forgiving.

We know God delivered just as Gabriel told Zechariah. Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist. Just as God delivered when Mary gave birth to our Lord Jesus, fully human and fully divine. This Christmas I hope I can let go of the rule-following and let the miracle of Jesus's birth soak into my heart and brain, and really trust in God and partner with Him so that the focus becomes His Kingdom and not me.

• Prayer Lord, thank you for Zechariah. Thank you that he was the father of John the Baptist. And thank you Heavenly Father that you make the impossible possible. Help me to trust in you Lord as you transform us with Your redeeming love.

Joy 24

December 20, Saturday

God Said No Luke 1: 11-13 by elizabeth mcbride

I

n the days leading up to our son Teddy’s birth, our then five-year old, Emma, started praying before her lunch—something I’m embarrassed to admit we hadn’t modeled for her. She started out "Dear God" as usual and then she got down to business. "God?" she said, as though checking to see if he was listening. "God? Please let this baby be born TOMORROW. Amen." She didn't throw in any if-it's-your-will jazz like I might do. She expected an immediate response in the form of a swaddled baby brother to snuggle. I was really hoping it would work.

A few days later I was at the computer, my tummy almost touching the keyboard. Emma walked up with a serious look on her face and said, "God said no." We hadn't been talking about the baby, but I knew what she meant.

Up until this moment, Emma thought of God as this Santa Claus-type guy granting wishes to people from

his workshop in the clouds. I think of him that way sometimes, too, and get frustrated when my prayers don’t get the result I’m after. Why would God say no to a sick friend getting better, a new job closer to family, a child’s request for a baby to be born?

In Zechariah and Elizabeth’s case, God said no for an agonizing number of years. I can imagine the heartbreak and shame that God’s no would have caused Elizabeth especially. In her shoes, I would have felt hopeless, bitter, and angry. I might have given up praying for a child altogether. Yet, they continued to pray. And God continued to say no, until one day he stunned them by saying yes. And not just say yes to what they asked for but above and beyond. John’s birth was miraculous. He was the Holy Spirit in baby form. Not only did Elizabeth and Zechariah finally get to have a baby, they had the best baby. I imagine that when they finally held John in their arms, they thought he was easily worth the wait.

• Prayer Dear God, We know you hear us when we pray, and we are so grateful.We have our own ideas about how our lives should go, but then remember that you are in control. What a relief to know that we can pour out our hearts to you, and you are listening and orchestrating things perfectly.We thank you for the opportunity to trust you more when life does not go as we planned. We thank you for the peace that comes from developing that trust.We thank you for the unexpected way you answer our prayers.We rest easy knowing you are always by our side in good times and bad.Amen.

25

Love Speak

December 21, Sunday

Why do we do good?

Titus 2:11-3:8 by whitney bell

A

s a young Christian, I was under the impression that for God to really love and accept me, I had to get my act together. I believed that my salvation was teetering on this precipice of good works. If I kept it together, I was in. If I fell into sin, I was out until I had a good old “sin-free” day and could work my way back into the kingdom. You see, I was under the impression that in order for God to truly love or accept me, I needed to clean up my act.

Yet somehow, no matter how hard I tried, no matter how much will power I could muster, I couldn’t do it. This left me afraid and asking, “How can I do all these good things the Bible commands? How can I ever do enough to earn God’s approval?” The answer: I can’t. And I never will. It’s impossible.

My mindset had been completely wrong. When we look at what scripture says about how our lives change after we encounter Jesus, we see that salvation ALWAYS precedes good works. It’s never the other way around. The truth for believers is this—we don’t do good in order to be accepted. It is because we are accepted that we do good. The notion that we must clean ourselves up before we go to God is as silly as trying to take a shower before you get in the shower. The purpose of the shower is to cleanse us of all the dirt and impurities—as is the purpose of the cross. As we are washed in the depths of Christ’s love, it is THEN that good works will flow from us. Not as a product of our doing, but as an overflow of what HE is doing. Where is God overflowing from you today?

• Prayer Father, Thank you that you are life and in you we are made whole. I pray that your Spirit might overflow from me today to the broken world around us. May the LOVE of Jesus be evident in me this season. Amen.

27

December 22, Monday

Surrendering Isaiah 31:4 by daniel campbell This passage begins “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses…but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the Lord.” Why is it that I make myself so much bigger than God? If I understand God to be my eternal Father, if I believe Jesus to have sacrificed his life for mine and really expect him to come again, why can’t I give him my life? And I don’t mean just saying the words, I mean really surrendering. Surrendering to the point of freedom. If I truly believe that Jesus died on a cross for me, for my wife, my children, and knew their names, our sins, our failures, then what do I have to fear?

Psalm 18 begins beautifully and simply with “I love you Lord, my strength” and both in this Psalm and Psalm 62 David speaks of our God as “my fortress” and “my rock.” My New Year’s Resolution is that I realize and confess every day to God that my life can really only be secure when I let it go and die to myself and live for Him. This year and for the years ahead, instead of looking within for salvation, I am going to give this responsibility to the One who can never be shaken and trust in my Father in Heaven.

• Prayer Jesus, remind me that you have taken the yoke from me, that you have freed me from having to be my own savior through your son and our true savior, Jesus Christ. That through God’s desire for His son and His son’s willingness to accept this sacrifice, you have fulfilled your promise and granted me eternal life. I am humbled, Lord, by your love and over this next year, let the trials and tribulations of my life bring me closer to you. I love you Lord, my strength.

Love 28

December 23, Tuesday

A List of Names Matthew 1:1-17 by nathan richards If Matthew really wanted a good attention-getting sentence, this seems like the wrong way to go. A very long list of names that are hard to pronounce doesn’t exactly inspire or motivate; however, the more I learn about what this list really means the more I recognize why it was so important.

only all of the past but all of the future. He knew we would sin in the garden when He created us, and he knows that even those of us who are saved will sin tomorrow. All along, God’s desire has been for his glory and Love to be made known to us.

What this genealogy means is that God has a plan.

Jesus coming to this world to teach and to die was not a reactive decision based on our depravity. This was always the plan. What comes with believing in an omniscient God is believing that God knows not

Yes, this is a list of names. More than that, though, it is a physical sign of God’s love for us. God loved us so much that even with the foreknowledge that we would turn our backs on him he set in motion a plan to save us.

•

29

December 24, Wednesday

God Keeps His Promises Isaiah 35:1-10, Revelation 22:6-10, Luke 1:67-80, Isaiah 60:1-6, Galatians 3:23-4:7, Matthew 1:1-17 by jaco botes

A

s I wrote this devotional, I was in Hong Kong to visit my sick brother. In the church service we attended that morning, I was reminded that God works all over the world. I see it in Africa every year that I visit. I saw it here in Hong Kong. I see it every day in our lives, wherever we may be.

come to be used as local political leverage. He did not come for any specific country or political persuasion. Jesus is a universal Savior who has not and never will belong to any faction, party, government or country. This is perhaps an important reminder for us in these days of shameful partisan drivel.

When Jesus was born, much of the local population expected that the Messiah would come. But in the context of history, they expected him to be the revolutionary leader that would shake off the yoke of Roman rule—the issue of the day. And, just like today, needing instant gratification was part of human nature. As we celebrate this Christmas Eve, let us remember why He really came. He did not

As Christmas Eve rolls around, you or someone you know may be struggling with health, money, employment, death, family, debt, to name but a few. We are reminded every day of thousands of Christians in the world who are put to death for their beliefs. There is a lot of misery in this world.

But God tell us to be patient. We need to be discerning. He will keep his promises.

• Prayer Dear God, as we celebrate the arrival of Jesus so many years ago, we ask that you will keep us in prayer. We want to always be discerning and based on your word and truth. We know that you will keep your promises.

Help us see the bigger picture even as we face personal and individual challenges. We know you will come again, just as you did that night in Bethlehem.

Love 30

December 25, Christmas Day

Eternal Kingdom Micah 4:1-5, Micah 5:2-4 by thomas daniel

T

oday, on Christmas, I invite you to consider whether you have truly embraced the majesty of Christ’s Incarnation. Thankfully, Jesus is bigger than evoking a mood or conjuring up that "Christmas Spirit." Instead, today, God wants to take the reality of his coming and etch its worth upon your heart.

His birth over 2,000 years ago as a weak, vulnerable child reminds us that he knows and has experienced all the difficulties life might possibly throw at us. Yet because of death and resurrection we see that as he overcame the darkness in the world, we can trust his promise to return and establish his Kingdom forever.

and their spears into pruning hooks." In a world where sin and brokenness rear their heads in all kinds of injustice, bigotry, and selfishness, this is truly Good News.

In Micah 4 we read details about the eternal Kingdom. It will be a day when many nations will come to the mountain of the Lord, will learn His ways, and will "beat their swords into plowshares

His birth was for his death. His death was for our birth.

We worship a God who is more than a spirit, more than a feeling, more than an emotion. Rather, God entered our world. As Eugene Peterson writes, "he moved into the neighborhood." He lived, breathed, laughed, cried, died, and rose again. Today we both welcome our newborn King and eagerly anticipate his return.

Merry Christmas!

• Prayer Lord, help me to fully grasp the miracle of Christ's coming into our world. We pray for his return and yearn for the day when your eternal Kingdom will be established forever. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

31

Acknowledgment Thank you to all who contributed to the creation of this book. Thank you, especially, to the power and grace of God. Authors Leslie Bagley Whitney Bell Jaco Botes Julie Bou Ann Brown Tom Brown Daniel Campbell Terry Cole Skipper Crowe Thomas Daniel Matt Dow Dave Ferguson Melissa Gaskill McKenzie Green Munn Hinds Jan Keezel Rehm Maham James Marroquin Dave Maxwell Karen Maxwell William McGavran Elizabeth McBride Annette Palmer Nathan Richards Stephanie Schultz Bill Short Carol Short Meredith Weatherby Jill Williams Johnny Williamson

32

Advent Committee Munn Hinds Nikki McNabb Bill and Carol Short Roy and Jan Kezel Artwork Sylvia Betts Copy Editor Melissa Gaskill Design and Layout Hilary Pittman Printer Ginny's The typefaces used in this book were Minion Pro by Robert Slimbach and Scriptina Pro by Fredrick "Apostrophe" Nader.

Christmas Eve Worship Times • 2:30 p.m. traditional service in the Sanctuary with candlelight

• 4:00 p.m. service in the Sanctuary aimed at preschool age children • 5:00 p.m. contemporary service in FE 200 • 8:30 p.m. traditional service in the Sanctuary with candlelight • 10:30 p.m. traditional service in the Sanctuary with candlelight and communion

Wednesday Nights

• Wednesday, December 3: Advent Event, step back in time to explore the extraordinary events surrounding Jesus' birth from 5:30–7:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, December 10: GraceNotes Ensemble Christmas Concert from 7–8:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary • Wednesday, December 17: Church-wide Carol Sing with Journey Youth Choir at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

covenant.org | 3003 Northland Drive, Austin, TX 78757 | (512) 454-5231