PATHWAY’S 2023 ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 

Welcome to Advent at Pathway! This is where you’ll find daily devotions throughout the month of December. Each devotion has been written by a member of our Pathway staff, and they focus on four major themes:

• God Has a Plan:
  But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship (Galatians 4:4).

• God Can Do All Things:
  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).

• God Shows Us How to Live:
  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8).

• God Wants to Be Known:
  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Each theme spans seven days and corresponds to the sermon topicfor that week.

We have also included video versions for each of our devotional entries. We hope that you will enjoy this gift from our staff to you, in whatever format you prefer. You can enjoy the devotions electronically, on either our app or website, or we also have a printed booklet available onsite at either our Chippewa or Moon locations.

Each devotion has been developed by a member of the Pathway staff, and their initials will appear at the end of each piece. This year’s content creators are:

AKG - Allyson Gulish

JNH - Jenna Hannum

SEH - Sarah Hart

WTK - Tim Kolodziej

BAM - Ben Marshall

JMM - Jason Martin

JSM - Jeff McNicol

We pray that these devotions will be a great blessing to you and yours throughout this year’s Advent season!

God Has a Plan

NOVEMBER 30

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” — John 6:38

Strong wills run deep in my family. And my youngest might have the strongest of all.

She recently began tying her shoelaces in a series of knots because she can “do it myself.” And while we can laugh at the misery of a parent with a strong-willed preschooler, most of us can probably admit that the laying down of our will in deference to another does not come naturally. Our desire to exalt ourselves is strong.

Yet Jesus models a power that is available, but not grasped. As the heir of creation, He would have been within His rights to assert His power and authority over all. Instead, He allowed His created beings to nail Him to a cross. At first glance, that seems like weakness, but the cross was the moment when Jesus took His throne in glory and conquered death.

God has a plan, but often His ways are contrary to the ways of what we might see around us. It is this type of plan to which God invites us:a plan that might look foolish to the world, but bears fruit in God’s kingdom. — JNH

Lord, thank You for teaching us a different way. A way where we do not have to reach for the power of this world, but we can trust in You. Amen.

December 1

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” — 1 John 4:14

Firsthand accounts are powerful. John wrote this not as one disconnected, but near to Jesus and passionate about the Son,sent by the Father, to be the Savior of the world.

What do you know about this Savior? Yes, born of the Virgin Mary ina humble town of Bethlehem, born as one destined to die for the sinsof all humanity — a sacrifice once for all, for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:28). Not just for the forgiveness of sins, but to bring youto God (1 Peter 3:18).

This is the beauty of what we reflect upon this Advent season:Jesus came so you could be brought close to God. More than that, Jesus came so you could know and testify about Him to others.With over 17,000 people groups and 7,200 of those unreached(https://joshuaproject.net/), we have a significant role to play for the Kingdom of God and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.

As Christmas nears, pray that God will bring to mind someone with whom you can share the good news of Jesus Christ. — BAM

Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for Your willingness to send Your Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. May we never take for granted this sacrifice, once for all, for the forgiveness of our sins. We pray that You would help us to draw ever nearer to You. Amen.

December 2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” — Romans 12:2

“No, Kobe!”

“Kobe! No!”

“Off!”

“Down!”

Sigh. (Face palm)

In case you’re wondering, Kobe is our Golden Retriever puppy. Like other pups, he was born with a bent toward destruction. Toys, furniture, exercise bands, slippers, and sometimes my ankles and toes. Pretty much anything goes. Into his mouth, that is.

But slowly and methodically, my wife and I are renewing his mind to pursue something different, something better we’ve got waiting for him. The fact is, we can see who he will become years down the line, and puppy-ish choices do not fit the character of a mature dog. Then I had an epiphany: That’s what God wants for us. As I ponder Paul’s instruction to the Roman church, I’m reminded that we weren’t created to chase dangerous distractions littering our cultural dog park. Followers of Jesus are built different:

• When the world says “come” … we stay

• When the world says “take” … we give

• When the world says “speak” … we listen

• When the world says “attack” … we heal

As we train our minds to avoid trouble and instead walk closely with our Master, we transform into who God has created us to be: a faithful friend to the end. — WTK

Father, renew our hearts and minds so we can be formed in the image of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

December 3

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived — the things God has prepared for those who love him.” — 1 Corinthians 2:9

Naming a baby can be a daunting task. So, of course, there are now baby name consultants. You can get the economy package of a video consultation and 16 suggested names for $99. Or, if you prefer, you can opt for the deluxe “baby name branding” that will run you $30,000. Wow.

I wouldn’t say Mary and Joseph had a baby-naming consultant, but they did have help. They were told their baby’s name was to be … Immanuel. God picked it. Immanuel means, “God with us,” a description of the plan of God. God chose to come and dwell among us in the person of Jesus.

The Apostle Paul marvels as he ponders the plan of God. In 1 Corinthians 2, he is talking about the wisdom of man versus God, and in verse 9 celebrates that God’s plans for His people are beyond our comprehension — beyond what eye has seen, ear has heard, or mind has conceived.

There are times we don’t understand what is going on around us, but God still has a plan. Two thousand years ago, His plan included sending Jesus into our world as a baby and ultimately dying for sin. But His plans didn’t stop there. He continues to carry them out, and we can be assured that God’s plans are for our good, just as they always have been. — JSM

Our Heavenly Father, help me to recognize and live in harmony with Your perfect plans. Amen.

DECEMBER 4

“In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.” — Ephesians 1:11-12

Have you ever received a Christmas gift and wondered why you got it?

I remember giving my grandma a recipe book for baking bread. I figured she’d like the book, and I knew I’d like the bread. Though she appreciated my thoughtfulness, her unfiltered reaction told the true story. “Thank you,” she said, “but I don’t bake bread.”

In Ephesians 1 we read of our inheritance in Christ, but do we know why we have received it? We start to understand why when we begin to see God’s plan before everything. It’s a plan, according to verse 10, to gather all things and bring everyone together in Christ.

We need not be the confused grandma in this gift exchange. The reason we receive our inheritance is to accomplish God’s will. Not to bake bread but to point to the Bread of Life.

We have been predestined to partner in the gathering of all things. Therefore, every blessing received in Christ is for regifting. A life lived for the praise of His glory. The boasting of His presence. The announcement of God with us.

Advent reminds us that The One chosen for our sake has chosen us for the salvation of the world. — JMM

Father, thank You for every good and perfect gift from above. Please remind us that they are meant to be shared. Amen.

December 5

“Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” — Joshua 21:45

In today’s text we see the culmination of promises made to generations of Israel through Moses. After wandering in the wilderness, through patterns of Israel’s waning faith, accompanied by consistent demonstrations of God’s faithfulness, Israel now sees the whole of God’s promise fulfilled.

Why is it important for God to follow through on every single word of His promises? We might list a few reasons:

• How could we trust Him otherwise?

• If He didn’t, He wouldn’t be truthful. 

• How else would He distinguish Himself from us, who struggle to keep our word?

• Doesn’t His record need to stand up to intellectual scrutiny?

These are all valid answers.

When we contemplate His absolute adherence to His word, it may look strict or rigid, but let’s consider how God’s thoroughness demonstrates just how abundantly He cares for his people. Don’t think of this as a task completed to its endpoint. Instead, consider how you feel after a perfectly satisfying meal. His goodness swallows up the bounds ofour capacity to receive.

In this season of Advent, we find ourselves between promises — many fulfilled and some yet to come — but we can be sure God will keep His word. Every single one of them. — SEH

Father God, thank You for being worthy of our trust, for pouring out Your goodness so lavishly. Amen.

December 6

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10

I’m a planner. I’m convinced it’s in my DNA. And if I’m being honest,I find comfort in these plans. I like to know what to expect so I can be prepared. But the older I get, the more I’m noticing God doesn’t quite follow my carefully thought-out plans. He seems to love throwing curveballs without even glancing at my packed, color-coded calendar.

I’ve learned something else about God during my journey — His ways are always better! He knows the beginning from the end, and every detail in-between. His knowledge, which spans time and space, far surpasses my minuscule perspective.

While there’s nothing wrong with setting goals and preparing, we must always hold our plans loosely. If we’re too focused on what we want, we can miss what God has planned for us.

In short, I do not know better than He does. And I thank God every day for that beautiful truth. — AKG

Dear Heavenly Father, may I not be so busy that You aren’t able to “interrupt” my plans for a good work You have created me to do! You have given each of us our own unique spheres of influence where we have endless opportunities to reflect Your love, grace, and mercy. Amen.

God Can Do All Things

December 7

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’).” — Matthew 1:23

It’s one of my favorite cards. On the front, a father crouches to comfort his little boy after a spill on the kitchen floor. The image alone is moving enough, but then I read these words: 

“No man stands taller than when he stoops to help a child.”

My mind immediately went to the verse above. Yet God didn’t just stoop — He chose to live among us. Born in a miraculous fashion inside an ordinary stable. From glory to ashes. From paradise to pain. From perfection to a body that felt fevers, blisters, headaches, and heartbreak. From a life filled with never-ending joy to one constrained by time. A life that concluded with His beaten, bloodied body on a cross.

Yet this is our God. This is the One who became human to experience everything we do, yet never sin. This is the One who says, “follow me,” though He knows we’ll struggle to keep up. And far too often, we’ll simply say, “no.”

That’s why He came. For our struggles and our “no’s.” For our healing and our hope. He came to love, to serve, and to save. And that’s why we should all be overcome with joy at Christmas. Because He is Immanuel, the God who is with us. Always. — WTK

Father, may we experience Your presence with us and Your power within us. Today, and every day. Amen.

December 8

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”— Matthew 19:26

When you think about unlikely occurrences, a baseball no-hitter might come to mind. Certainly, pitching back-to-back no-hitters would be impossible. Yet Johnny Vander Meer of the Cincinnati Reds proved it could be done in 1938 when he accomplished that very feat. No one has done it since.

There are other things that fall into the realm of the seemingly impossible. One is recorded for us in Matthew 19. The disciples were dumbfounded when Jesus pointed out that a certain rich man was not in line to enter the kingdom of God. The prevailing belief of the day was that the rich were rich because of the blessing of God. So, if the rich couldn’t inherit eternal life in heaven, no one could. This prompted Jesus to respond, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

God’s ability to do the impossible intersects through the very heart of the Christmas story. An angel appears to a virgin girl informing her she’s going to have a baby. Her immediate response is one of disbelief — and understandably so. It was beyond her comprehension.

We also face circumstances that challenge our understanding. Perhaps we’ve drawn conclusions about what must happen when we face certain obstacles or heartaches, and it leads to doubt or despair. But, you can hold onto hope today and never give up, because with God, all things are possible. — JSM

Our Heavenly Father, remind me that it is always too soon to give up, because You can do all things. Amen.

December 9

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” — Luke 2:9-11

What is the hardest thing to believe about the Christmas story?

I cannot comprehend an angel’s visit or understand what it means for glory to shine. Could I be unafraid if an angel told me to fear not? Would I believe the birth announcement?

None of it seems plausible.

But what I struggle with most is the promise tied to the news itself. If the angel is right, the good news about this baby brings joy to all people. This means everyone will be brought an increasing joy that destroys every second of sadness.

Unbelievable? Not according to the God born of a virgin.

Right now, it seems like sadness is winning. But that is why Advent is a season of waiting. As we wait, we move from what “seems” in this life to what we see in the manger. Thus, the angel’s call to “behold.”

When we see God come through on ridiculous promises, we can believe the hardest of things and experience abundant joy in our own hearts. — JMM

Father, teach us to “behold” while we wait to see our beautiful Savior. Amen.

December 10

“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” — Jeremiah 32:17

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish our experiences from what we know of God and His promises. If you’ve ever cried out to the Lord to help you understand what’s going on around you, you aren’t alone.

As a prisoner, we see Jeremiah struggle to reconcile what he has heard from God and what he sees before him. Candid in his distress,his prayer for understanding begins with a weighty sigh.

Acknowledging who God is and what He can do are the cornerstones of the understanding Jeremiah is so desperately seeking. The wayto gaining perspective is grounded in our grasp of God’s characterand capability.

Think of how a terrified Mary comes to terms with God’s plan as Gabriel explains it will be accomplished by the power of the Most High. The angel reminds her, “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37, ESV). Speaking to both His character and His capability, the same is translated in the NIV: “No word from God will ever fail.”

In our own circumstances, we find comfort and cognizance in an all-powerful God because He is the only one trustworthy to wield it.— SEH

Lord, so many things fall outside our strength and understanding, but nothing is too hard for You. Thank You for being the rock on which we can ground ourselves. Amen.

December 11

“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in Heaven and Earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.”— 1 Chronicles 29:11

When my kids were little and learning a new task, they would give one or two half-hearted attempts and then utterly exhausted proclaim, “I can’t do it!” The task was so simple, it was almost comical to me. But to them, it seemed insurmountable. I would reach down and easily help them. What was almost the end of the world to them was not a big deal to me.

When we become adults, our attitudes toward new and daunting tasks change. Instead of offering weak attempts, we expect to do it all on our own. We try and try, working harder each time. But our God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, yearns to help us, to lovingly reach down and assist us with arduous tasks.

He desires to remove our burdens and lighten our loads. Not begrudgingly or only after we’ve tried enough times on our own, but eagerly. He has the power to manage whatever we’re facing. Nothing is too insignificant, or too complicated, for our Lord and Savior. — AKG

Dear Lord, You are over all and there is nothing You cannot do. Help us to quit trying to handle everything on our own and humbly surrender it all to You. Amen.

December 12

“But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.’” — Luke 1:13

God can do all things. Yet, this isn’t a promise Zechariah believedat first.

Following Gabriel’s declaration, Zechariah utters the obvious: How can two old people have a child? In a parallel story, Mary also expresses doubt when she is told that her empty womb will soon carry the promised Messiah. The Gospel of Luke gives us these two accounts side-by-side and Luke seems to beckon us to compare these responses.

Both Zechariah and Mary ask the question “how,” but only Zechariah is rendered mute. Yet, Luke includes an important detail after Zechariah’s account: Zechariah did not believe the angel’s words. It wasn’t doubt for which he was punished — it was disbelief.

God invites our questions. Mary’s response shows us that we can hold doubt and faith in tandem. We can believe that God can do all things, but also wonder how God will do the work He promises. When there are inconsistencies in the circumstances around us and what we know to be true of God’s character, God invites us to ponder, “how can this be?” while trusting He will be faithful to do the miraculous. — JNH

Lord, thank You for inviting our questions and doubts. Help us to be faithful in trusting Your character even when we doubt. Amen.

December 13

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” — Luke 2:20

I’ve never met a real shepherd, but I do know their images appear frequently throughout Scripture. Yet this verse in Luke isn’t an image — it’s a reality. The shepherds were among the first to hear the news about Christ being born and they rushed to meet Him!

Shepherds were unclean, not welcome in the temple, and were typically out in the field with their flocks and herds. Luke records the angels coming to meet the shepherds to tell them this glorious news: Jesus Christ, the Messiah, had been born!

Consider how outside-the-box that must have been. Normally forgotten on the outskirts, these shepherds joyously received the news about Jesus. This Good News is not just for one kind of person, but forall people! It is news for the powerful, weak, wealthy, poor, religious,and atheist. This is Good News for all!

As soon as they heard, the shepherds returned home and told everyone about Jesus. This wonderful news that the Savior is here!— BAM

Jesus, thank You for your salvation that is offered to all people. Regardless of how deserving we may think we are, You invite us to come to You, trust in You, and surrender our lives to You. Today, and each day, we recommit our lives in humble submission to You. Amen.

God Shows Us How to Live

December 14

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22-23

There is so much fighting for our attention these days.

We have needs from our immediate and extended families, our job, and our friends. We jump online to do a quick search for dinner ideas, and we’re met with numerous unsolicited ads and information. Social media holds nothing back in showing us what we’re missing out on. Even some of the billboards on our drive home have turned into electronic entertainment. Most of the time these things can be helpful. But if we’re not careful, all this wonderment can become overwhelming.

Today’s verse gives us hope when we’re inundated with noise. God sees the cacophony, and He will not allow it to triumph. He sees the sea of opinions swirling around us. He sees the temptations lying in wait around every corner. And He won’t let us be consumed.

But we must seek Him. We must surrender and choose to focus on God and His ways, earnestly pursuing love, forgiveness, and mercy. We must actively turn from all that draws us away from our Savior, and instead strive to know Him above all else. — AKG

Lord, help us to not be consumed by all this world has to offer, both good and evil. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, knowing You are the only one who can truly save us. Amen.

December 15

“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do.” — James 1:25

When you open the book of James, you realize early on that he isn’t delivering some new-age, esoteric spiritual insights. He’s getting all up in our business with terse and compelling challenges to live out our faith. And, of course, discover the truth that sets us free.

Sort of like an escape room. (Stay with me on this.)

The clock is ticking and the group you’re with begins to panic. They’re shouting instructions. They’re arguing over the next move. Confusion and anxiety grow. Similar to a typical day living by the world’s standards.

But you’re the voice of reason. You shut out the noise and concentrate on the clues in front of you. Carefully and thoughtfully, you’re moving at a pace — and in a direction — the game’s creator designed. And in moments, you’re confined no more.

Our Bible delivers the same impact. While some might tell us it is boring and irrelevant, James says the opposite: When you begin to understand the beauty and wisdom of God’s word, you just can’t look away. You don’t want to look away.

And that, friends, is the key that opens the door to the freedom — and blessings — God desires for each of us. — WTK

Father, we pray that Your word will dwell richly within us. Let it be our daily guide, our comfort, and our source of hope. Amen.

December 16

“But the Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you and protect you against the evil one.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:3

When you’re given a group project, what role do you take? There’s often an organizer, idealist, worker bee, and maybe a slacker, too. When it comes to godly living, we don’t have the option of taking just one role. When we’re invited into the body of Christ, it means participating in His work — and He’s doing a lot.

This chapter begins with Paul requesting prayer, and even as he asks, he already knows that the Lord will prove true. We see in Philippians 1:6 where Paul will later say, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will be faithful to bring it to completion. …”

As we follow Jesus’ example of faithfulness, we can take part in strengthening and protecting one another as we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us. Indeed, our prayers have a way of uplifting and guarding the people of God in a mysterious and powerful way.

Consider Luke 1 and how Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, strengthened Mary upon her visit. Following her time there, Mary offers one of the most beautiful and prophetic songs of praise recorded in Scripture. The mother of God, emboldened by the hospitality of her faithful cousin. — SEH

Lord Jesus, what a gift to learn at Your feet as You serve the ones You came to save. Strengthen us and protect us. Amen.

December 17

“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.” — Micah 5:2

Why would the eternal God be born as man in the smallest of places? Was there not a more prominent town to announce His greatness and establish His strength? How could a ruler come from a place like that?

The Ruler’s life answers those questions. Jesus was not born in a large city with wide streets because His way is narrow. As the servant of all, He sought no prominence. His greatness was announced on a cross. His strength was established in weakness.

In this, God reveals something about Himself, but He also shows us how to live. In particular, how to rule. That’s a role we have in Christ.

As Paul writes to Timothy, “If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.”

Everything Jesus does, He wants for us. Even ruling. We often confuse ruling with earthly power, so it doesn’t seem right that God desires us to reign with Him. That seems like his job. He’s the authority and we are the subjects.

But that’s just it. He is not the King over kings, He is the King of kings. The smallness of Bethlehem is how His reign is born.

May our reign be born in smallness as well. — JMM

Father, thank You for being our strength in weakness. For Your glory. Amen.

December 18

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”— Hebrews 13:8

Humans are obsessed with measuring change.

Consider what’s in my house: a growth chart to measure the changes of height for my children, reports that monitor their academic progress, and an app that tracks fitness goals. Change is celebrated and pursued because we know that with change comes maturity and growth.

That is why it is marvelous to ponder the fact that Jesus is unchanging. Unchanging in His character, unchanging in His promises and un-changing in His faithfulness. Yet, it is precisely because Jesus is un-changing that we can confidently fix our eyes on Him to be “transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).”

We are always being changed into something, but the most important change that can be made in our lives is to reflect Jesus more clearly. Jesus invites us to consider who He is in order that we might be transformed into a people who represent Him to a hurting world.

Jesus is the constant. May we be faithful to behold Him and trust that He will be faithful to change us to display His glory more accurately to those around us. — JNH

Lord, we celebrate Your unchanging nature. Thank You for transforming us into Your image. We pray that You would reveal Yourself to us so we can more clearly image You in this world. Amen.

December 19

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.”— Psalm 25:4

I love the spirit of kindness and generosity we see at Christmas. I read of one anonymous donor who paid for all the toys at a local Goodwill store so every child who visited during the Christmas season could take one home. That thoughtfulness inspires and motivates me.

The example we find in others can fuel our spiritual growth. I’m often energized to a new level of devotion by witnessing the lives of others. Of course, there is no better model than God Himself. Now, I realize we might be inclined to dismiss God as a model, because He seems so far beyond us, but that would be a mistake. It’s interesting that in Psalm 25, David addresses God with this plea, “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.”

David is asking for more than a checklist of God’s dos and don’ts. He wants to know God and have that motivate every step he takes. And God wants to comply. That’s why Jesus came to Earth, to make sure we have a tangible model for how to live. Other people can help show us the way, but be sure to look to the example of Christ first to set your eyes on His ways and His paths. — JSM

Our Heavenly Father, show me Your ways that I may walk in them every day. Amen.

December 20

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.— Isaiah 7:14

This prophecy is given to King Ahaz during a dark time of war. It was to let him know the turmoil would soon pass and the people would know that God is with them. The baby’s name, Immanuel, gave them confidence in the victory to come.

We typically see this prophecy as one about Jesus, but that was not the original sign. It’s important to understand the context. As the prophecy from Isaiah is repeated in Matthew 1:22-23, we see the Gospel writer declaring Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of this sign from God.

Yes, there was a sign to King Ahaz through Isaiah the prophet, but there also was a sign to the Israelites, as Matthew records, letting them know that God again would give them a sign, an assurance of victory, that God Himself would come to them as this baby and be raised up to maturity as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

As we reflect on this sign, may we renew our wonder that our God is intimately concerned about our lives. He cares so deeply that He sent His one and only Son to live, die, and rise again for you.

We have victory through Jesus Christ. And that’s certainly something to celebrate this Christmas. — BAM

Thanks be to You, God, as You give us this sign of Your Son and give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

God Wants to Be Known

December 21

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” — Psalm 19:1

This is the beginning of a chapter full of praise for the greatness and wonder and glory of God seen in creation and in the Law. Yet creation needs no words to declare the glory of God continually, everywhere, to everybody. The wonder of creation points to an even more wonderful Creator.

As we near the end of Advent and anticipate the coming of Jesus, we are humbled by the simple power of God. This same God who created the heavens and the earth, who draws near to His creation through the Person of Jesus, who makes Himself known, wants to know you.

Our Creator invites us into a relationship not because He has to, but because He wants to. Simply sit and reflect on that truth for a moment. God is not a distant Creator, but One who draws near and wants you to get to know Him. — BAM

Creator, Father, Savior, Lord — we are humbled by Your power and majesty. We praise You, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made.We praise You, for Your desire to know us. We praise You, that You have made Yourself known. Enliven our hearts to seek Your face each day. Amen.

December 22

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” — 1 John 3:2

Jesus has always been misunderstood.

The Pharisees feared His teachings and called them heresies. The disciples wanted Him to use power to overthrow Rome. The people He came to save saw Him as an enemy rather than the Messiah. Even as His children, we only know Jesus in part.

However, someday we will see Him for who He is. Not only that, but one day we will fully understand what it means to be God’s children.To be His co-heirs in creation. We serve a God who wants to be known.

This is seen so clearly as we celebrate Christmas and God’s first coming into our world. Yet, we will only be able to understand the fullness of Christ’s glory, and the totality of who we are in Him, when He returns. Until then, we behold His glory through veiled eyes, eager for the day when we will see Him for who He fully is. — JNH

Father, thank You for calling us Your children. We pray that You would continue to reveal Your character to us as we anxiously wait for the coming of Jesus. May we be faithful to pursue You, knowing that You are faithful to show us who You are. Amen.

December 23

“And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” — Isaiah 40:5

Sometimes I wonder if we take God’s words as seriously as we should.

I understand why we might read them with hesitation. For all the times my words don’t mean what I want them to, I see why it’s tempting to read His with caution. But God never says things just for the sake of saying them. He’s never partially true. He’s never wasted a promise. What He says, is.

His word at creation brought light. His words on the cross brought forgiveness. The scriptures say that His voice is powerful (Psalm 29:4) and that His words do not return in vain (Isaiah 55:11).

It matters when God speaks.

So, when He says through the prophet that everyone will see the revelation of His glory, the mouth of the Lord has spoken the truth of what will be. Each of us will experience His reality. The question is, how will we receive it?

The answer begins with the way we receive His word right now. Is it a lamp unto our feet or a sword that cuts us up? During Advent, we should expect both. As we wait for Christ, we need the light to see and the surgery that heals our blindness. Then we will rightly witness the glory that is certain. — JMM

Father, give us the ears to hear when You speak. And the eyes to see Your glorious light in our lives. Amen.

December 24

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8

“Boxes mean nothing.”

Those three words fueled much Christmastime consternation for my wife’s family through the years. You see, my mother-in-law had a thing for saving boxes from household items, then recycling them as gift-giving vessels for special occasions. So why the drama?

Imagine a little boy tearing through the wrapping paper to discovera box for a Hamilton Beach blender. Or his sister anticipating concert tickets and instead finding a box for a Black & Decker wrench set. Deflating, to say the least. But when they finally spotted the real gift, they were overcome with glee.

And that’s what Paul is telling the church of Ephesus. No matter how often you’ve been used and passed on, no matter what labels you carry, no matter how many times you’ve disappointed others, God can place something beautiful and new inside the box we call our human body.All we need to do is ask.

If you trust in His finished work, Christ Himself will dwell within you. And you’ll be saved not only for eternal joy someday, you’ll be empowered for timely impact now, as Paul teaches a few verses later.

While Nancy never let a good box go to waste, God has different designs for saving old boxes like us: for the sheer delight of His children faithful enough to discover the surprise inside. May you experience that joy this Christmas. — WTK

Father, may we live with hope for what’s ahead as You empower us to do good works today. Amen.

December 25

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas! It’s the big day we have been anticipating throughout Advent. Perhaps you’ve been marking the days with an Advent calendar, complete with a chocolate treat inside every little window.

One California man has used the Advent calendar for a different purpose. His aim was to become known. So, he ventured to set the world record for the fastest time to eat all the chocolates from the calendar. He was successful with a time of 1 minute, 27.84 seconds. I’m not sure why we need this world record category, but for this guy, it was a means to become known.

God also wants to be known and Isaiah assists us by revealing some names of God. He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Actually, those are more than just names. They are attributes of God. I would encourage you to take a few moments on this Christmas Day to consider their individual meaning.

God wants to be known and these titles reveal Him. What can youlearn about your relationship with Him if you see Him as your Wonderful Counselor, your Prince of Peace and more? How can that inspire and enhance your Christmas celebration today? — JSM

Our Heavenly Father, I know You want to be known. Help me see You more clearly. Amen.