“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
John 1:1-5, 10-14 NLT
For these days leading up to the celebration of the birth of Christ, please join Ararat Church in our own Advent adventure. On each of these 25 days we will take one portion of the true Christmas story as seen in the Holy scriptures. We will consider these passages with limited commentary as this is a time for personal reflection and preparation.
Now, the method of observance of Advent varies from Western to Eastern observances, with even the days of observance varying. However, originally, they all had a common purpose.
The term “Advent” comes from a Latin word meaning “coming.” Traditionally this was a period of time used for preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ as well as preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. Indeed, the liturgical meaning of the Advent season referred to the dual “coming” of Jesus.
Sadly, for the most part, many Christians have neglected the latter emphasis on preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. Perhaps that is why even the other purpose of the observance of Advent has also been lost: preparation for the celebration of the Lord’s birth.
Now, we generally think of the preparation for a celebration as involving the logistics of the celebration: attire, food, decor, gifts, music, venue, and so on.
However, the Advent season is meant to be a time of preparation of the heart for the celebration of the birth of Christ, as well as preparation for the Second Advent (the Second Coming). We consider: Do I understand what Christ did by coming to dwell among us? As well: Do I believe that He is physically coming back to dwell with us forever?
We begin today with a passage from the book of John which gives a concise—but complete—overview of what the celebration of Christmas is about: The Word became flesh.
Jesus said:
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NLT
For today meditate on the fact that the Power through which all things have been created, condescended into a mortal body to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. As well, meditate upon whether or not you have true expectancy in terms of the Lord’s Second Coming.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
"They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.”
Luke 2:16-20 NLT
Here we are on Christmas Eve! I pray that our time together preparing for the celebration of the Lord’s birth and for His soon return has been a blessing to you.
Remember, even if you are reading this on a day that is not Christmas Eve or Christmas Day by the calendar, because of what Jesus did, it should be Christmas every day in our hearts.
On occasion I have sung the old song, “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” and that is just what the shepherds did after seeing that divine baby lying in a manger all those years ago. They could not contain their excitement; nor could they contain the story of what the angels had told them about that precious child.
I pray that we never lose the zeal for telling others about that child lying in a manger Who has become our Savior and Lord. And soon He is coming to be our forever King!
A while back the Lord put it in our hearts to reference Ararat Church as “The Mountain.” The Lord told us that Ararat Church is indeed an outpost, a representation of the Mountain of the Lord in these Last Days before the coming of Jesus Christ. Just as Moses built a representative of what he saw on Mount Sinai when the Lord brought Heaven down with Him, just so, the Lord Himself has built a representative of His Holy Mountain here at Ararat Church. As such, we will spend every day, in every way, telling the world that not only has Jesus Christ come, but soon and very soon He is coming again! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Peace to you.
“When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.””
Luke 2:15 NLT
Sometimes when we feel like we can’t get direction from the Lord, or a word from the Lord, we will find that the reason is that we have not acted on the last word that we heard from Him. Of course, this also includes the general instruction given throughout the word of God. If we have not acted on what God has said in His word, how can we expect any individual or particular word from Him addressing our personal concerns?
I remember that at the end of one of my father’s prayers a couple of years before he passed away, he asked the people, “Do you believe the Lord will do this?” And of course, everyone said, “Yes!” Then he responded, “Act on it! Act on it! Act on it!” You see, there’s the key: if we believe what God has said, then our actions, thoughts, etc., should confirm it.
Indeed, one of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Savior (Isaiah 7:14), came at a time when the Lord had told Ahaz (king of Judah) that he did not need to fear the king of Assyria and the king of Israel who were colluding to come against him. It seems that when the Lord asked him to name any sign that he wanted to show that it would be well with him, he refused to ask for a sign from the Lord. Most likely he was too afraid to believe that the Lord would keep Judah from being destroyed; perhaps he didn’t want a sign that would require an action on his part.
In our opening scripture today we see that the shepherds, having been told about the Good News, immediately went to find the announced Savior. They acted on what they had heard!
We know that the Lord came down that day in Bethlehem all those years ago. Therefore, our life should reflect our belief in Him as our Savior.
Additionally, we are told that our Lord will return again and take us to be with Him. Certainly, our lives ought illustrate that glorious expectation.
For today meditate on the ways in which your life might contradict what you say you believe concerning the word of God. Then, rather than becoming condemned or guilty, repent and ask the Lord to help you align your life with what He has said. As well, ask Him to help you to live a life that illustrates the expectation of His soon return.
Peace to you.