ODB Advent 2020 Sample

These

specially selected daily readings for December offer you a reflective journey this Christmas season. Yet it’s not just a journey simply reliving the Christmas story.

The Our Daily Bread writers offer you a journey to the very heart of Christmas; to the One who started the Christmas story before time and will write the last full stop when you are seated with Him in His home forever.

Marvel at what the prophets foretold, pause to ponder with Mary, gaze upon what the shepherds saw, receive with joy the angel’s announcement and bring your worship with the Magi. See in the One born to save us— born to die in our place—the heart of God; a heart full of love for you.

Visit ourdailybread.org for more information on our resources. Alternatively, please contact the office nearest to you from the list below, or go to ourdailybread.org/locations for the complete list of offices.

Germany: Our Daily Bread Ministries e.V., Schulstraße 42, 79540 Lörrach deutsch@odb.org ~ +49 (0) 7621 9511135 Ireland: Our Daily Bread Ministries, 64 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 XC62 ireland@odb.org ~ +353 (01) 676 7315 UK & Europe: Our Daily Bread Ministries, PO Box 1, Millhead, Carnforth, LA5 9ES europe@odb.org ~ +44 (0) 15395 64149

JOURNEY TO THE OF CHRISTMAS

hear

Reflections From Our Daily Bread

Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable Our Daily Bread Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

R4492

The people walking in darkness have seen a

great light;

Glory o God

in the highest heaven,

on those living in the land

and on earth peace

dawned

to those on whom his

of deep darkness a light has

ISAIAH 9:2

favour rests.

LUKE 2:14

CONTENTS PAGE The Heart of Christmas �������������������������������������������������������������������������������2 What the Prophets Foretold: Bible reading notes (1–3) �������������������������6 What Elizabeth and Zechariah Received: Bible reading notes (4-5) �����12 What Mary Pondered: Bible reading notes (6–10) ���������������������������������16 What Joseph Decided: Bible reading notes (11–12) �������������������������������26 When the Journey Isn’t Straightforward �������������������������������������������������30 What the Shepherds Saw: Bible reading notes (13–15) �������������������������36 What Herod Fought: Bible reading notes (16–18) ����������������������������������40 What Simeon and Anna Confirmed: Bible reading notes (19–22) �������46 What the Angels Announced on Christmas Day: Bible reading notes (23–27) �����������������������������������������������������������������������54 What We Can Do About Christmas: Bible reading notes (28) ���������������64 Where the Journey Takes Us ���������������������������������������������������������������������66

Scripture taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved. © 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries® • Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA ourdailybread.org • europe@odb.org Printed in the United Kingdom.

Product Code: R4492

heart THE

OF CHRISTMAS

C

hristmas—that outrageous season of tinsel, gift-wrapping, parties, cheesy movies and far too much chocolate; a time where the normal rules of life don’t seem to apply! Families gather, children lose themselves in the excitement, and we grieve those who are no longer here to celebrate with us.

For Christians, it is more than just fun and togetherness. Our minds go to a young couple—a virgin and a carpenter—and a stable in Bethlehem where the young bride has just given birth to the Saviour of the World. We rejoice with the angels who declare “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests” (LUKE 2:14).

But the real story of Christmas begins long before Bethlehem. In fact, it begins at the very beginning of time. The story of the birth of our Saviour begins the moment we first needed to be saved . . . way back in the opening pages of God’s Word. Almost as soon as the serpent tempted our first parents to sin, God made a promise:

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. GENESIS 3:15 From that moment, the coming of a Saviour became the central storyline in human history; and the overriding theme of God’s Word.

When God chose Abraham to be the father of His nation, He promised that through him “all nations on earth will be blessed” (GENESIS 22:18). How would they be blessed? By the birth and atoning death of Jesus; Abraham’s distant descendant. And so begins a long series of snapshots of the coming Saviour.

In the story of Isaac, we catch a glimpse of a substitute; one who will be sacrificed on behalf of another. At Passover, we see that an innocent lamb makes a way of deliverance for God’s enslaved people. In Aaron’s priesthood, we find that humanity needs a mediator; a go-between to stand in the gap between us and God. Through Moses, God promised a coming Prophet who would speak and act on behalf of God. When we get to the Bible’s history books, we meet Joshua; the humble but valiant man who led God’s people into the Promised Land. He conquers

enemies and grants a permanent inheritance to every household in Israel; another foreshadowing of Jesus. He is followed by a series of judges; deliverers who save the people from oppression again and again. The highpoint of the Old Testament is undoubtedly the reign of King David. And once again, there is a promise of a coming King—One who will reign forever in perfect justice and equity; the Son of David.

Entering the wisdom books, we meet Job, the ultimate man of faith who never doubted God’s good character despite his indescribable suffering. He made a profound statement about Jesus thousands of years before that first Christmas:

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes— I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! JOB 19:25-27 The Psalms are full of references to Jesus’ coming: the King, the Shepherd, the Son of God, the Saviour. He is the Wisdom in Proverbs and the embodiment of true love in the Song of Solomon.

The Prophetic books are bursting with references to the coming Messiah; but perhaps the richest ones are found in Isaiah:

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 Counsellor, 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 for ever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. ISAIAH 9:2, 6-7

The people walking in darkness finally see the dawning of Light! We all know the world can be a dark place. But on that first Christmas, Jesus appeared as the Light of the World! It was the dawn of a new day; a day of salvation from darkness, emptiness and sin. Heaven gave a Son—the very Son of God—so that we could be saved. The Child that was born is the Messiah, the eternal King, the Prince of Peace! Wherever He goes, He brings light.

The opening pages of the New Testament retell the story that we’ve come to know so well; so well, in fact, that it is easy to miss the magnitude of the miracle! Jesus is not a man who became God; that is impossible. He is God who became man! The very God of creation born into the deep darkness of our world.

This year, the events of this world have made it feel more bleak and hopeless than ever. But light shines brightest in the dark. When things are at their very worst, that’s when the hope that Jesus brings has the most powerful impact.

As we take our journey to the heart of Christmas, we are going to meet some of the familiar characters in the story. Seeing the events through each of their eyes will help us to see the wonder and beauty of Christmas from their perspective. Our hope is that the light He brings will shine brighter and brighter in our own lives; so that others will see it and know that He really is the Saviour of the world.

WHAT THE PROPHETS

foretold 1 D E CE MB E R

A SPE C I A L B IR TH

Heavenly Father, as I journey to the heart of Christmas, to the heart of Your story, to the heart of Your incredible love for me, open my eyes to take in the awesome sight of Jesus leaving heaven for me. Bring me a fresh thankfulness that the King who made the world knew He would die upon it for love. For me. I praise the precious name of Jesus. Amen

I SAI AH 7:1 0-15 10

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.’

12

But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.’

Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right.

13

6

I

n the pages of Scripture, several baby-boy births stand out. Cain, the firstborn after creation. Isaac, the hope of Israel’s future.

Samuel, the answer to a mother’s fervent prayer. All extremely important. All joyously expected. And all described exactly the same by the chroniclers of Scripture: in each case, we are told that the mother conceived and bore a son (GENESIS 4:1; 21:2-3; 1 SAMUEL 1:20).

Now consider one more baby boy’s birth.

The description of this arrival was much more detailed: a few words were clearly not ISAIAH 7:14 enough to tell us about Jesus’ birth. In Micah, we were told where He would be born— Bethlehem (MICAH 5:2). In Isaiah, that His mother would be a virgin (ISAIAH 7:14), and that He was coming to save people from their sin (ISAIAH 53).

In the New Testament, we were given such key information as what His name would be and why (MATTHEW 1:21), where He was born in fulfilment of prophecy (2:6), and how both His birth mother and His adoptive father were part of God’s plan (1:16).

Jesus’ birth stands above all births. His coming changed the world and can change our lives. Let’s step into the journey and rediscover the most important birth of all time. o DAVE BRANON

THE LORD HIMSELF WILL GIVE YOU A SIGN: THE VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND WILL CALL HIM IMMANUEL.

Read today’s passage again. What does Jesus’ birth mean to you personally? How does it encourage you that Jesus’ birth was God’s “sign”—His announcement to the world of His salvation—that was planned long ago?

Thank You, Father, for giving so many details of Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection in the Old Testament. We know He truly is Your promised King; the light of the world; our wonderful Saviour.

7

2 D E CE MB E R

WA ITIN G

Sovereign Lord, remind me of Your goodness and faithfulness today. In a world that demands instant answers and gratification, help me to wait on Your voice and Your life-giving words of love. Amen

MI CAH 5: 2 – 4 ‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.’

2

Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labour bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.

3

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

4

8

“H

ow much longer until Christmas?”

When my children were little, they asked this question repeatedly. Although we used an Advent calendar to count down the days to Christmas, they still found the waiting excruciating.

We can easily recognise a child’s struggle with waiting, but we might underestimate the challenge it can involve for all of God’s MICAH 5:2 people. Consider, for instance, those who received the message of the prophet Micah, who promised that out of Bethlehem would come a “ruler over Israel” (MICAH 5:2) who would “stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord” (V. 4). The initial fulfilment of this prophecy came when Jesus was born in Bethlehem (MATTHEW 2:1)—after the people had waited some 700 years. But some of the prophecy’s fulfilment is yet to come.

For we wait in hope for the return of Jesus, when all of God’s people will “live securely” and “his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth” (MICAH 5:4). Then we will rejoice greatly, for our long wait will be over.

Most of us don’t find waiting easy, but we can trust that God will honour His promises to be with us as we wait (MATTHEW 28:20). For when Jesus was born in little Bethlehem, He ushered in life in all its fullness (SEE JOHN 10:10)—life without condemnation. We enjoy His presence with us today while we eagerly wait for His return. o AMY BOUCHER PYE

BETHLEHEM . . . OUT OF YOU WILL COME FOR ME ONE WHO WILL BE RULER OVER ISRAEL.

Read today’s passage again. What prayers are you waiting for God to answer? In what situations are you awaiting His rescue? How do these verses help you put your hope in your Shepherd who has made us such incredible promises?

We wait, Father God, and we hope. We wait, dear Jesus, as we long for peace to break out. We wait, comforting Spirit, for all the world to experience Your love.

9

3 D E CE MB E R

W IN T E R S NOW

Heavenly Father, Your ways are so much higher than ours. Thank You for the wisdom with which Your provided a broken world with the gentle healing of Your Son. Help me to marvel again at the upside-down arrival of the King into a lowly stable. Amen

I SAI AH 42 : 1– 4 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.

2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.

3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.

In his teaching the islands will put their hope.

1

10

I

n winter, I often wake to the beautiful surprise of a world blanketed in the peace and quiet of an early morning snow. Unlike a spring thunderstorm that announces its presence loudly in the night, snow comes softly.

In “Winter Snow Song,” Audrey Assad sings that Jesus could have come to earth in power like a hurricane, but instead He came quietly and slowly like the winter snow falling ISAIAH 42:2–3 softly in the night outside my window.

Jesus’ arrival took many by quiet surprise. Instead of being born in a palace, He was born in an unlikely place, a humble dwelling outside Bethlehem. And He slept in the only bed available, a manger (LUKE 2:7). Instead of being attended by royalty and government officials, Jesus was welcomed by lowly shepherds (VV. 15–16). Instead of having wealth, Jesus’ parents could only afford the inexpensive sacrifice of two birds when they presented Him at the temple (V. 24).

The unassuming way Jesus entered the world was foreshadowed by the prophet Isaiah, who prophesied the coming Saviour would “not shout or cry out” (ISAIAH 42:2) nor would He come in power that might break a damaged reed or extinguish a struggling flame (V. 3). Instead He came gently in order to draw us to Himself with His offer of peace with God—a peace still available to anyone who believes the unexpected story of a Saviour born in a manger. o

HE WILL NOT SHOUT OR CRY OUT, OR RAISE HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS. A BRUISED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK.

LISA M. SAMRA

Read today’s passage again. What encourages you most to “put [your] hope” (Isaiah 42:4) in Jesus based on this description of Him?

Lord Jesus, thank You for willingly giving up Your majesty and for coming to earth in order to offer peace.

11

WHAT ELIZABETH AND ZECHARIAH

receied

4 D E CE MB E R

FR OM S HA ME TO H O NO UR

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your eternal faithfulness to me. All I need is found in Your presence; please help me to rest expectantly in You now. Amen

L UKE 1 :1 8–25 18

Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well on in years.’

The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.’

19

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realised he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

21

When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 ‘The Lord has done this for me,’ she said. ‘In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people.’

23

12

I

t’s that time of the year again, when families gather to celebrate the festive season together. Some of us, however, dread meeting certain ‘concerned’ relatives whose questions can make those of us who are still single, childless or still have something to ‘achieve’, feel that there’s something wrong with us.

Imagine the plight of Elizabeth, who was LUKE 1:25 childless despite being married for many years. In her culture, that was seen as a sign of God’s disfavour (SEE 1 SAMUEL 1:5–6) and could actually be considered shameful. So while Elizabeth had been living righteously (LUKE 1:6), her neighbours and relatives may have suspected otherwise.

Nonetheless, Elizabeth and her husband continued to serve the Lord faithfully. Then, when both were well advanced in years, a miracle occurred.

God heard her prayer (V. 13). He loves to show us His favour (V. 25). And though He may seem to delay, His timing is always right and His wisdom always perfect. For Elizabeth and her husband, God had a special gift: a child who would become the Messiah’s forerunner (ISAIAH 40:3–5).

Do you feel inadequate because you seem to lack something—a university degree, a spouse, a child, a job, a house? Keep living for Him faithfully and waiting patiently for Him and His plan, just as Elizabeth did. No matter our circumstances, God is working in and through us. He knows your heart. He hears your prayers. o POH FANG CHIA

[THE LORD] HAS SHOWN HIS FAVOUR AND TAKEN AWAY MY DISGRACE AMONG THE PEOPLE.

Read today’s passage again. What are the things in your life of which you can say, “The Lord has done this for me”? Why not spend some time thanking Him for His loving provision.

God, You are forever faithful and good. Help us to keep trusting in You, even when we experience heartache.

13

WHERE THE JOURNEY

takes us

O

ur journey to the heart of Christmas isn’t complete without a closer look at the most puzzling characters of all:

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” MATTHEW 2:1-2 Much mystery surrounds these curious figures: the Magi. They are usually depicted on Christmas cards in royal splendour presenting their gifts to the young Jesus; but we really know very little about them. Who were they? And how did they know to look for this newborn King of the Jews? It is possible that they were from Babylon where Daniel (from the Old Testament book of Daniel) had been one of the chief wise men during Israel’s exile. Perhaps he taught them to look for the Messiah and his teaching had been passed on. We don’t know for sure, but it’s a compelling idea.

Whoever they were, they play an interesting role in the story of Christmas; they were the first ones to seek Jesus in order to worship Him. It’s true that the shepherds sought the baby Jesus to see if what the angels said was true; but the Magi were different. They left everything and made the long journey from a foreign country, bringing extremely valuable gifts . . . simply to worship!

Take a moment to consider what “worship” meant for them. First of all, it involved their minds. They had to study to understand the significant details of the birth of Christ; the timing and the specifics regarding the guiding star. Next, their worship cost them money; money they could have spent on improving their own homes and lives. The gifts they gave were not cheap; they brought no token offerings for the King of kings.

Then, their worship required them to leave their home, their family and friends, and even their country—everything that was comfortable and familiar—and head to a foreign land, following a star in the night sky.

Yet as they drew near, the Magi made a mistake; one that we can all make. They took their eyes off God’s guidance. For us, that often means a growing complacency around God’s Word and spending time with Him. For the Magi, this meant turning aside from the star that God had provided, and instead drawing their own conclusions about where they would find the newborn King. After all, surely the King of the Jews would be born in the palace? So they ignored the star and went to Jerusalem seeking the Messiah. It is here that we are introduced to some surprising reactions to the news of Jesus’ birth.

The appearance of these imposing strangers caused great disturbance in Jerusalem. Herod, the notoriously paranoid king, called for the Bible scholars and asked them where this newborn King of the Jews was to be found. They seem quite casual in recounting the prophecy that He was to be born in Bethlehem. It’s strange how those religious leaders who knew so much about Him had no desire to go find and worship their own Messiah; they were just indifferent. Not so Herod; he was full of hatred. There was no way he was sharing the spotlight with another king; not even a tiny one. So he pretended to be a worshipper while secretly having no intention of bowing to anyone but himself.

It is highly significant that ones who did desire to worship Jesus were foreigners. In the Old Testament, God had instructed His people to stay separate from other nations because of their idolatrous practices. This led many of the Jews to assume that they were the only people God loved. Therefore, there was a tendency to feel superior to outsiders; as though they were the only ones qualified to worship God. But God’s heart has always been for the world; not just Israel (GENESIS 12:3). How interesting that it was foreigners, not Israelites, who first made the journey to the heart of Christmas to worship the King of the Jews.

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. JOHN 1:11-12 That first Christmas was the beginning of a new era of global worship of the one true God. That’s where most of us fit in the story; we are outsiders who have been brought into God’s family by seeking, finding and believing in Jesus. And it is our joy and privilege to bow before the Saviour of the world and worship; that is the destination of our journey.

This year, as many of our comforts have been stripped away, we have an opportunity to follow in the excellent footsteps of the Magi who left everything to worship Jesus. We’ve seen something of the vulnerability of the things in which the world places its trust; and perhaps it has given us a new appreciation for the rock-solid security of knowing Christ for ourselves. Maybe the trials we have been through this year, and this journey we have been on this Christmas, have been the reminders we needed that Christ is of infinitely more value than anything else in our lives. Or perhaps we’re still on the journey of discovering Him. Whatever the case, remember the Magi. Those who were far away are brought near on an incredible journey of worship.