Today is December 22 - in the final week of Advent.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2.


There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.


Like Simeon, Anna was faithful . Anna saw Simeon’s embrace of Jesus, and joined this prophetic welcome. Both Simeon and Anna are described by Luke as faithful, patient, and expectant worshippers. Both are old. This Christmas, who in your life is a model of this sort of sage-like faith? Thank God for them…

Consider your own longing for consolation. For redemption. Do you find yourself distracted by the business of this season? Of course! Can you now interrupt that business and ask God to give you the grace to experience real spiritual expectation? That your heart and your soul might come alive with anticipation for Christ, the way a child might anticipate Christmas morning?

As you enter Christmas weekend, you will shift from anticipation to fulfillment. From waiting for consolation, to the presence of consolation Himself. You will not just have your eyes on the horizon, you will BEHOLD the savior of the world Himself. Pray now for ayou, and in your faith community, and in the global church, as we together hold our open arms out to welcoming this infant Savior.

Meditate this weekend on the word: BEHOLD. Allow it to remind you when you are distracted by many good things. Ask God to give you ‘good eyes’ with which to see Him, and the gift of faith, that you might experience Him, this Christmastime.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome in…

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: "Behold" - Heaven & Earth (YouTube)

Today is December 22 - in the final week of Advent.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2.


There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.


Like Simeon, Anna was faithful . Anna saw Simeon’s embrace of Jesus, and joined this prophetic welcome. Both Simeon and Anna are described by Luke as faithful, patient, and expectant worshippers. Both are old. This Christmas, who in your life is a model of this sort of sage-like faith? Thank God for them…

Consider your own longing for consolation. For redemption. Do you find yourself distracted by the business of this season? Of course! Can you now interrupt that business and ask God to give you the grace to experience real spiritual expectation? That your heart and your soul might come alive with anticipation for Christ, the way a child might anticipate Christmas morning?

As you enter Christmas weekend, you will shift from anticipation to fulfillment. From waiting for consolation, to the presence of consolation Himself. You will not just have your eyes on the horizon, you will BEHOLD the savior of the world Himself. Pray now for you, and in your faith community, and in the global church, as we together hold our open arms out to welcoming this infant savior.

Meditate this weekend on the word: BEHOLD. Allow it to remind you when you are distracted by many good things. Ask God to give you ‘good eyes’ with which to see Him, and the gift of faith, that you might experience Him, this Christmastime.

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome in…

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: "Behold" - Heaven & Earth (YouTube)

Today is December 20 - in the final week of Advent

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2.


“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”


We find two responses in this bit of Luke’s story: the shepherds are busy – they head to Bethlehem, they find Jesus and everything just like the angels had spoken of… and they start talking about it to everyone they know. And then we have Mary… who treasured up and pondered ‘these things’ in her heart. Who do you feel more connected to today, in this final week of Advent? The excitement and joy and evangelistic fervor of the shepherds? Or the interior -and I’d guess probably tired! - contemplation of Mary?

Where might God be inviting you to lean, then? If you are by nature contemplative, might it be good to lean towards evangelistic joy? On the other hand, if you are more excited and busy this week, might it be sweet to lean toward a bit of quiet consideration?

Pray now for God to grow you more fully into the person He made you to be. Pray that He would grow you into a mature worship and followership of Him, marked by both joy, evangelism, and the thrill of Christmas… and by an ability to be very quiet, treasuring up and abiding with Christ in stillness.

Faith in Christ is a gift of revelation, not an intellectual pursuit. Pray as we end for God’s spirit to stir up in you the gift of faith. Pray also for the world around you – filled with darkness and longing – to receive a revelation of Christ this Christmas.


Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: "Angels We Have Heard On High" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)

Today is December 19 - in the final week of Advent

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.


Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”


The Christ story is likely very familiar to you who are listening. Perhaps, too familiar. How familiar is this story to you? How familiar is this advent season?

But what a strange and unfamiliar thing we find in this story. I don’t mean the angel, not the heavenly choir, not even the glory of the Lord! Unexpected perhaps, but not strange if one believes in God. What is strange is the thing that all of this supernatural and majestic grandeur is pointing to: a baby, wrapped in clothes, lying in a manger. Think about that for a moment, and allow the absurdity of it to interrupt you. A baby. All of heaven opens for a baby. The savior is a poor, refugee baby… not born in a palace, but in a barn! Consider for a moment how the hiddenness of God is obscured, except for those who have been given eyes to see.

Take a moment and ask yourself, “Where might Christ be showing up in unexpected places in my life?” Talk to God now, and pray for fresh eyes, fresh ears, and a fresh understanding of his entrance into the world. Ask Him to show you “this thing that has happened” in a way that is full of new life.

As we end our time of prayer, and as we approach the celebration of Christmas, take time to think about someone you know who might find this story terribly UNfamilar. Someone who might even be surprised to hear the claim of Jesus: that He came not to judge the world, but to save it. Intercede today, by name if you can, for someone to be interrupted by the Christ-child this Christmas.

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: "Hallelujah" - Heaven and Earth (YouTube)

Today is December 18 - in the final week of Advent

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2.


“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”


This is a very subtle record of the coming of Christ into the world, don’t you think. One verse! As we begin our time of prayer, consider Mary. She’d traveled to Bethlehem late in her first pregnancy. She gave birth in a stable. Her firstborn was laid in a food trough. And then we read: there was no guest room available for them. Here we have the Son of God, and the hope of the world. And the world already has no room for him. Take some time to contemplate whatever this brings up in you.

We are in the last week of Advent-time now. How much room in your mind, your heart, your schedule… is open, for you to abide with God this week? How difficult is it for you to slow down and quiet yourself today?

Take time now in prayer – perhaps, even pause this devotional. Welcome God into your week. Try to still you to-do lists, and instead prayerfully imagine Mary – in the midst of a chaotic mess – beholding her newborn son, Jesus. Try to organize the scene in your mind, and take time to wander through it.

Make room in your heart today, for Christ’s presence to enliven you. And make room in your day today to be His body in this world, where there is all too often no room made for Him.

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" - Heaven & Earth (YouTube)

This is the Saturday examen for the season of Advent.

I’m glad you’ve joined us for a time of reflection and prayer. Pray along with me.


Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, We who are anxious over many things… look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.


Now take a moment to quiet yourself, and pray: Come, Holy Spirit!


Look back over this past week and ask God to draw your attention to moments where you’ve felt dissonant, agitated, or where you’ve lacked the fruit of the spirit toward others. Where have you experienced the darkness of your own heart? Or of the world around you?


Now offer those moments to the Lord. Invite Him to lead you toward engaging in a way that might bring relational repair or reconciliation. Ask God to help move you into action in whatever way He leads.


Consider the week ahead: What are you feeling joyful about as we approach Christmastime? Who do you want to pay special attention to this week? What do you want to be particularly present to? Ask God to help draw your attention to these things. If people came to mind, pray over them by name.


Behold… the psalmist tells us… God is our helper… he is our sustainer… he does not merely bring good news, Luke says… he IS good news…

Behold… he stands at the door of our heart and knocks… he will pour out His spirit on you…

Behold… we read in 1 John… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

As we end our examen, ask God to give you eyes to see Him this advent and to give you a heart that longs for Him.

Ask God for grace to behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!


Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Amen.

Music: "Emmanuel" - Heaven and Earth (YouTube)

Today is December 15 - in the second week of Advent.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.

Today’s reading is from the book of Isaiah, chapter 60.

“The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.”

The king of peace comes to us as an everlasting light, an everlasting glory. And yet, as we wait for the Coming of Christ, we still live in ‘days of mourning’. Can you bring all of your emotions to the Lord today in prayer… from feelings of brightness to experiences of sadness or mourning?

Advent prepares us to celebrate the birth of Christ. And yet even as we behold this King of Peace… we walk through days of mourning.

Take time to talk with Jesus about all that you are carrying today as you begin a shift toward the final week of Advent. What is making you feel weary or weighed down?

The King of peace says to you: come to me, and I will give you rest. And not a rest that requires us to check out of our daily life. But a rest that we can find, through Him, in the midst of it. Ask God to draw your attention to Him, and to His rest, as you continue through advent.

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: "I Love You" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)

Today is December 14 - in the second week of Advent.

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.

Today’s reading is from the book of Ephesians, chapter 5.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them, for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”

The New Testament writers often refer to Christ as ‘the light of the world’. Here, Paul urges the church in Ephesus to recall their movement, in Christ, from darkness… to light. And he reminds them that the ‘fruit of light’ is found in all that is good, right, and true. He also reminds them that disobedience to the light is serious business…. Bringing about wrath. Consider this as you move into prayer: God is serious about the fruit of the light… about what is good, right, and true… How does that make you feel?

“Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord…” How often do you meditate on what pleases God? This season of Advent, have you taken time to invite God to lead you in ways that please Him?

As you begin to pray, ask the Lord what it means for you to ‘walk in the way of light’ today… invite Him to help you turn from ‘unfruitful works of darkness’…

This Christmas, the world is full of ‘people walking in darkness’… who are experiencing the impacts of ‘unfruitful works of darkness’. Pray that you would be a bringer of light this Advent season to those around you. Pray that God would fill you with ‘all that is good, right, and true’… and that you would spill out good fruit this season of Advent.

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome in…

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: "Jesus Beautiful" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)

Today is December 13 - in the second week of Advent.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 3.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”

This is something to behold, indeed: God sent his son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved. Consider this as we begin our time of prayer this advent-time: God so loved the world…

John tells us that God so loved the word in the same breath as he says that the world loved darkness more than the light of Christ! Scripture tells us that while we were still sinners, God loved us and gave himself for us. Consider now what it cost God to come into a world, to become man, to bring us His light and peace EVEN WHILE we embraced the darkness…

Talk to the Lord now about any of your deeds that may need to be exposed. Be honest with him, and enter into a place of confession about where you might tend to prefer darkness over light…

How do you experience ‘coming into the light of Christ’? Does it bring you peace, to bring your confessions to Jesus? Ask God to fill you with his light and peace as you offer up your confession and walk in repentance today.

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: "Silent Night" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)

Today is December 12 - in the second week of Advent.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.

Today’s reading is from the book of Isaiah, chapter 60.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

Think about all that darkness hides, and the relief that comes with the light of morning. Have you ever felt afraid of the dark? As we begin our time of prayer today, call to mind a time you felt anxious, or worried, or covered by a ‘thick darkness’ of mind or body or soul.

Can you recall the sense of relief, or peace you felt when the Lord met you in that place? When the darkness lifted? Try to remember what it felt like to move from darkness into light… Our text from Isaiah might call to mind the Genesis 1 narrative… where we read that God’s spirit hovered over darkness and voice… and that God spoke order into disordered… first speaking: ‘let there be light’.

Turn to the Lord in personal prayer, and pray for places in your own life, or in the world around, where you experience darkness. Pray for specific people and situations who need an interruption of the brightness of the peace of Christ.

All too often, holiday seasons are frenetic and not calm, chaotic and not peaceful. Work today to find a situation that you can interrupt with the brightness of the peace of Christ. Perhaps at work, during a family meal, or even in your own heart. Be intentional about being a person of brightness, and of peace, today, by the grace of God.

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: "Oh Holy Night" - Heaven & Earth (YouTube)