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   We’re here!   I thought we would never arrive! Wow, what a trip! Jesus is here!   We have waited so long...and finally…finally, He is here! The Prophets sent messages to God’s people for hundreds of years, “Get ready!   Prepare yourselves!   The Messiah is coming!” John The Baptizer was especially vocal in his message to anyone who would listen,   “I am not worthy to announce it, yet, He is coming!” John, The Apostle said it clearly and succinctly with his voice, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” God came down to earth!   He came from an extraordinary and phenomenal dwelling…and moved into our flesh and blood world.   God took on human flesh!   He moved into the neighborhood. Beyond belief?   Not at all! He is here. Here…with us! Incarnate…God promised!   Advent – God

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. (NIV) The trip was long, the road…rough.  Rocks and boulders lay scattered everywhere, even on the bit of a road that led from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  Mary was tired and hurting.  She held her head high for the sake of Joseph, not wanting to frighten him.  Her delivery date was imminent, and she knew that lodgings were needed…soon! Joseph gazed at Mary in love and admiration…she was a brave wife, never complained and rode the donkey, suffering quietly during the long trip to Bethlehem.  He also knew they needed a pl

  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. Luke 2:8-10 (NIV)   Let’s listen as the Bethlehem shepherds leave home for a night in the fields. “Have a safe time abiding in the fields, dear.” said Dorcas to her husband Amos. “It will be quiet tonight.   Nothing ever happens in the fields,” replied Amos. As the shepherds walked toward the pens, ready to relieve the day shift, the small talk continued.   “Well, another quiet evening.   Boy, I could use some excitement tonight.   It’s going to be hard to stay awake.   I was busy repairing our clay roof all day…and I’m tired.   We’re here…stay awake guys!” As you probably have surmised, a shepherd’s life was lonely and solitary.   As the outcasts

  An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.    She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 (NIV)   “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”   Perhaps Mr. Shakespeare did not view names as “special” to an individual?   The soliloquy is memorable, however think of the poor school child named Bob…one of 5 in his classroom.   Or, would a tomato taste as sweet if we renamed it, Garlic? Name, it’s about who we are, something that defines us.   We tend to grow into our name.   C.S. Lewis wrote, 'There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.'   Fortunately, Eustace matured beyond the name in Lewis’ book Voyage of The Dawn Treader . Jesus, meaning save or deliver , was nam

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion, shout, O Israel!   Rejoice and exult with all your heart,  O daughter of Jerusalem! Zephaniah 3:14 (RSV) Wonderful!   Exciting! Of course I will come to your party!   I can hardly wait! Have you ever had cause to “Exult?”   Perhaps you are wondering…how does one exult?   Is it part of an unknown ritual?   Maybe something to do with….? Ok, I have no idea what an exult looks or sounds like! Exult – be delighted, be elated, be in high spirits, jump for joy. Does that help? Read the Scripture one more time and substitute your new understanding for the word, “exult.”   Makes more sense, in fact, it should encourage us toward a real celebration!   How about it? The prophecy is for You and Me!   Today!   Celebrate The coming Messiah!   Yes, the prophet was speaking to Israel during a bleak time in Jewish history, and yes, Jesus came into a Jewish world.   However, and here is the Good News…as believers, we are grafted into Abraham’s line!   We

  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.    He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:31-33 (NIV) Are you sure?   This sounds too good to be true! Could we try that one more time? “The Angel’s good news was almost unbelievable!   We have waited so long.   It wasn’t possible…or was it?   I was chosen to be the Mother of our Messiah!   Really?   And not only The Messiah, but King David’s heir…and something about His kingdom lasting…forever?”   Surely these thoughts must have run through Mary’s mind. Our Messiah!   Finally, He is coming!   We’ve waited so long! The promised birth!   The Prophesied birth…the Angel….it was too much for a young virgin to take in, yet, she quietly submitted her will to her Father in Heaven.   The Angel’s words renewed the prophecy of The coming King!

  Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:7, 9   “Do you love me?” Does this question sound familiar?   Perhaps you have been asked or even asked someone these very words.   I wonder if the more appropriate question might be, “How do you love me?” God answered this question by sending His only Son, Jesus, into our world.   We banter the word “Love” with statements, such as “I love hotdogs,” or “I love my car.”   The “Love” that God has for us is the Greek word, Agape – to care for deeply, esteem highly, and prefer above another. Because God IS love, His very nature is love…which means….He cares deeply for us, He esteems us highly and prefers us above anything else in the world!   God is not full of love for us…He IS Love!    Think of it, God Agapes (Loves) me…just because!  

  Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;  make known among the nations what he has done.  Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 1 Chronicles 16:8-9 (NIV)   Your work is amazing!   You deserve a commendation! It is obvious that you labored diligently! We are cheering for you! Give praise to God…for what He has done!   So….what has He done for You?   How about health?   Children?   What about your salvation? King David was blessed, excited and almost hysterical with joy as the Ask of The Covenant was paraded to it’s new location.   He danced with joy among the priests, leaders and anyone willing to offer praise to God for this breathtaking event!   His example pictures our response to God for His promised Messiah. We celebrate Advent with this same spirit of joy and excitement.   We offer our praise to God for His gift of Messiah.   Our singing in Advent should be full of praise to our God for His wonderful acts.    Advent is preparation for a

  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. Matthew 2:10 (HCSB)   Why are you so happy?   What’s going on? You appear to be elated over something.   Come on…tell me! How about you?   Have you been overjoyed beyond measure?   Perhaps a marriage?   A new baby?   A perfect grade in school?   Or even a graduate recital that happened exactly as rehearsed? The Wise men were overjoyed at a star.   Now remember, this was no ordinary star.   This star pointed the way to a memorable event, the birth of The Messiah!   Jesus’ coming was prophesied for hundreds of years and nothing, but a star would do for the exciting birth event. After traveling around 1,000 miles, the Wise Men maintained their overjoyed status on realizing their goal; seeing The Messiah!   Can you imagine traveling on a camel, hot desert sands, long days and nights…and…finally, overjoyed at the star!   The end of the trip, the star, the promised Messiah! The long trip was worth it.   We made it!  

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, to announce liberty to captives, and to open the eyes of the blind. Isaiah 61:1 (TLB) I could use some good news…right now! Do you have bad news to share?   Now would be a good time to keep it to yourself! Good news just feels good to our spirits.   It is as welcomed as a cooling Summer rain on a hot day.   It feels like the first cool day of Autumn or perhaps like the first snowy day of Winter.    Good news is…in brief….a benediction for our souls. Jesus, our Messiah, was prophesied to be The Good News for anyone who was suffering or afflicted.   Perhaps another way to say it is, anyone who was impaired or grieved.   Do these words describe you?   If we honestly respond…the answer is…YES, this is Me. Jesus was anointed to be the bearer of Good News.   An anointed one is more than merely a caretaker or custodia

  Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.    The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. Psalm 98:1-2 (NIV)   New songs…….are……….new! And how do you feel about new songs?   Truthfully?   I prefer the old songs.   They are familiar, comforting, soothing and they fit rather like an old shoe.   There is nothing wrong with an old song, except when a new song is needed! The time was near.   God was ready to reveal His new song, The Messiah.   The Psalmist unveiled this good news with word pictures, such as “His salvation” and “His righteousness.”   And what better medium for an announcement than in a new song. Jesus was prophesied to be our salvation in a covenant so different from the old Mosaic covenant that an existing song…?   Well…it wouldn’t be appropriate.   A new song was needed to express the salvation that God was sending.   The Messiah is our new

  And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. Revelation 14:6 (NLT)   Look!   Up in the sky! Birds fly.   Planes fly.   I cannot fly!   However, if I could, you would hear loud shouts of amazement and joy.   The whole countryside would hear my voice! Angels are gifted with unique abilities.   Since I have never met nor exchanged pleasantries with an Angel, let’s merely say that Angels are God’s special messengers.   They carry news to God’s people.   Why? Angels brought news to prophets, kings, ordinary people and eventually to shepherds in   fields outside the village of Bethlehem.   Their good news was proclaimed loudly so anyone could hear.    Did you notice the word, “proclaim”?   This word is more than merely announcing.   The angels annunciated…trumpeted…..broadcasted.   They proclaimed The Good News. This Good News is much too important t

  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Luke 2:8 (NIV) Sheep and watching, perhaps one of the most boring jobs in the world.   Most of the time is spent merely watching and waiting.   The few times of excitement happen when a predator slips in for an easy meal.   The shepherd then earns his wages with a quick and final fight in order to protect the sheep. The key job qualification for a shepherd is watchfulness.   Advent is about watching and readiness to act.   Just as the shepherds were “keeping watch,” we are to keep on watching…never giving up.   Keep your eyes opened…wide opened, for whatever may happen. We have previously been informed of the Messiah’s imminent birth, we know the location and have been watching anxiously for it to happen.   Now…we are exhausted…we need a nap.   “I am so tired.” Don’t give up!   Messiah will come!    Say awake!   Keep on watching! Watching is hard work.   It takes time and nev

  And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.   I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:7-8 (NIV)   Power!   The word sounds energetic, dynamic, forceful, and…well…Powerful! At some point in our lives, we have probably wanted the raw power of Superman, the mind of Batman, and the fairness of Captain America.   John the Baptizer came as the 1 st century model of these three superheroes.   While not visually as appealing, his role as forerunner of The coming Messiah, demanded physical and emotional strength. John’s message was compelling, a Messiah as different from John as water from fire.   John arrived into a world that was tired of waiting.   His message?   I will baptize you with water, however, one is coming who will baptize you with fire, literally The Holy Spirit. Listen to a more contemporary version of John’s words. “I am covering

  No one has ever seen God.  The One and Only Son, the One who is at the Father’s side, He has revealed Him. John 1:18 (HCSB)   I wonder what God looks like?   Do you have questions about God?   Does He have freckles?   Blue or brown eyes?   Tall or short? The twelve disciples had questions and Philip was brave enough to approach Jesus with a request, “show us the Father.”   Jesus’ answer?   “If you have seen me (Jesus), you have seen The Father.” Can you picture John taking notes on this occasion, listening carefully to the conversation?   Jesus’ answer is plainly seen in the first verses of John’s Gospel.   Jesus is the picture of God! Jesus came to people whose imaginations were starved for God.   Jesus came to install a human face on God.   God was coming to us in the flesh!   God incarnate! Jesus is The One And Only of God! One And Only…God promised!    Advent – God is coming to us.

  The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.    John 1:9 (NIV)   It sure is dark in this room ! Well, turn on the light.   Where is the switch? So, you need light?   Jesus is The Light of the world.   He came, already bright, already lighting the way, and His light was for everyone. Why should we walk in darkness, stumbling on life’s problems?    But, the darkness is so overwhelming!   I can’t take it!   Everything that I do seems to be consumed with darkness.   I cannot seem to find my way!   Is there help for me?   Is anyone out there? This is the good news.   Jesus came for you.   There is no need to live in darkness.      He came at the express desire of God The Father and His light will drive the darkness from your life.   He is your true light.   Will you reach out to Him?   As the Ralph Carmichael song said, “Reach out to Jesus.   He’s reaching out to you.” Jesus is The light of God. Light…God promised.    Advent – God is coming to u

  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2 (NIV) “Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.”   With these words, a well-known governess taught musically illiterate children to sing…in a movie.   We smile at pleasant memories, recalling the patient and loving way that Maria implanted words and melody into receptive minds. God, as The Word, formed our universe in Genesis 1:1.   He patiently and expertly formed our world by His Word or Logos, which is the Greek word for “something said” or “Divine expression.”    John used the same word in our scripture to make the case for Jesus, The divine Word and One with God in the Trinity . As John introduced Jesus to his readers, it was important that Jesus was understood to be divine, part of the Trinity and The coming Messiah.   Previous writers prophesied the imminent coming of Jesus, born in Bethlehem to the virgin.   Born of miracu

  For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.    And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah. Luke 1:15, 17   Look!   Up in the sky?   Is it a bird?   A plane?   No, it’s …and you know who this hero is.   How about… Here I come to save the day!   …bet you know this one too.   How about this last one… A hero is any person really intent on making this world a better place for all people . Why are we so fascinated with the world of heroes?   Simply because we all need the courageous and daring actions of someone in our lives sooner or later.   My superhero has always been Elijah.   He accomplished the impossible in a world full of evil. John the Baptizer was prophesied to be the forerunner of Jesus and also the one to carry on the life of Elijah!   Can you imagine trying to fill those shoes…sandals?   God Himself, ordained John for this

You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.   You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” Isaiah 40:9 (NIV)   Good News!   It generates the desire to shout, and as the desire germinates, a person or friend is needed to share with or shout to.   Whom shall I tell?   Who needs to know? Isaiah’s prophetic vision of the messenger of good news is pictured as a runner, making his way to Jerusalem and continuing on up to the highest point, the mountain called Mt Zion.   The message was to be shared with a loud voice, a shout, and without fear.   Shout it out, Here is your God! From early times, mountains have signified the location of God’s greatest news such as Moses on Sinai receiving the Law.   Abraham offered his son, Isaac on the mountain; and Jesus was the culmination of the greatest news when He was transfigured and later died on a mountain. What is this good

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 (NIV) Origins, a search for identity.   Searching for one’s roots is intriguing, perhaps discovering a heroic family member in our background.   Our search can bring less than desirable results if we discover disgusting individuals in the family tree. Bethlehem was a most unlikely location to begin searching for family.   The only songs about it were derogatory and unbecoming.   Our picture of   “O Little Town of Bethlehem” was nothing like the actual village.   It was small, unimportant and of little consequence to Israel. Micah prophesied that out of Bethlehem would be born a Ruler, a King!   Imagine, a King from Bethlehem?   Impossible!   Nevertheless, Micah was adamant!   This ruler would descend from an old family line, “ whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Go

  Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.  He has raised up a horn of salvation for us  in the house of his servant David. Luke 1:68-69 Zechariah was a Daddy!   A Daddy…there’s nothing like it. Zechariah had an important mission.   He was the Father of John, the forerunner of Jesus.   Zechariah’s mission…point John to God, and God would point John toward The Messiah! Jesus was coming and John had the unique privilege of pointing out The Savior of the world.   God gave John extraordinary vision to see The Messiah through crowds of people, through the strict Roman rule and through the ordinariness of life in Palestine. Zechariah’s prophecy pointed to “ a horn of salvation” or, a strong King from David’s line.   Since this was first century Palestine under strict Roman rule, kings from the line of David were generally not available.   In fact, talking about this subject was punishable by death. The questions come…whom was Zec

  “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.  A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17 (NIV)   I know that He’s here…however…I can’t see Him clearly. Prophecy is vision without sight.   Understanding without grasp. God gave words to Prophets who struggled with perception.   A star and scepter would lead one to understand that a ruler was on the way.   What an amazing vision for a gifted Man of God! Not so!   The “gifted man of God” was none other than Balaam, the false prophet who worked for hire.   The Moabites observed the Israelites departure from Egypt and God’s guiding hand on their travels.   They were scared!   Literally, scared to death!   King Balak of Moab hired Balaam to curse Israel.   However, God had other prophetic words for Balaam to speak. While the families of Israel were on the march to the Promised Land, God’s Promise of a ruler, a Messiah, filled the mouth of Balaam.   In trying to curse Israel, Balaam f

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 4:4-5   Congratulations, the adoption is official!  You are new parents! Jesus came to make our adoption official.  We were created by God The Father.  In the course of time, God The Son came to make the official pronouncement of our status change!  This change required Jesus to die in my place.  His death and resurrection provided the legal means for you and me to become heirs of God! Jesus was God’s answer to my question…my need…for a Savior. How about it?  Are you ready?  Jesus is coming.  Advent.  But when the set time had fully come …  Jesus is coming with a gift for anyone who will accept it, our adoption into the family of God. How do I join the family of God?  Acknowledge Jesus as God’s Messiah. Want to join the family?  Advent is the preparation time.  Jesus is coming! Adoption…God Pr

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:1 (NIV) Have you heard?   The Messenger is here. What is his message?   Something about The Anointed One. The Anointed Who? Have you ever felt “out of the loop?”   Like you missed the most important message of your life?   John was the messenger that was almost missed.   His message was the news of the century!   “T he Lord you are seeking will come…” It almost sounds anticlimactic.   Perhaps we were expecting something grander, something with more pizazz!   How about a special star in the sky?   Something pointing the way?   Would that help?   Done! How about an Angel Choir heralding this coming event?   Done! Does this sound convincing?   John, as the designated messenger was convinced.   His message was simple; He is coming. Jesus is coming! Messen

“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. Isaiah 42:1   Leader of none and slave to all. Servant, not a pretty picture. Is it?   Isaiah’s portrait of The Messiah demonstrates God as delighting in this particular servant.   Jesus, born to be the Servant King, and full of the Spirit of God. Imagine with me, a serving individual, someone who remains near the back of the party.   Jesus came to remain in the position of helper, the one who washes feet or helps fishermen find the motherlode of fish.   He was born under a star but did not live as a star.   Jesus stepped aside from His exalted position and became…a servant? Jesus is coming to….coming to what?   Coming to You and Me as…..As what?   A servant!   The Servant!   The One promised for hundreds of years.   The One coming to Serve. Are you delighted?   God was and still is delighted with His Chosen One. Servant…God