Advent Devotional 2021
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But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior -yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David.” Luke 2:10-11 (NLT)
One of the things I love about Scripture is the layers of meaning! No matter how many times I read God’s word, I feel like I am always discovering something new. I was at a Christmas service several years ago and I heard the pastor explain another layer of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem (The details are also recorded in the book Why a Manger? By Bodie & Brock Thoene). Bethlehem was special in the sense that this area was considered holy as it was an area set aside for raising the animals for sacrifice in Jerusalem. The shepherds who witnessed the angels saying “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (vs. 10b-11) would have been the shepherds who tended to the sacred flocks. What incredible significance that the angels told these shepherds who tended to those sacrificial animals that the ultimate sacrifice has come!
Jesus being laid in a manger is also significant in that a manger was used to place the best lambs for sacrifice. The animals present at Jesus’ birth would more than likely have been animals raised for sacrifice. Bethlehem, the shepherds, and the manger not only speak to Jesus’ humility and his relevance for all mankind - rich and poor, young and old, every tribe, every nation. It also speaks to God’s plan of redemption! The ultimate Savior is born!
Melanie O.
Jesus being laid in a manger is also significant in that a manger was used to place the best lambs for sacrifice. The animals present at Jesus’ birth would more than likely have been animals raised for sacrifice. Bethlehem, the shepherds, and the manger not only speak to Jesus’ humility and his relevance for all mankind - rich and poor, young and old, every tribe, every nation. It also speaks to God’s plan of redemption! The ultimate Savior is born!
Melanie O.
Prayer focus: Help us to see others as God sees them
Community prayer focus: Ministries that serve the elderly in our community
Community prayer focus: Ministries that serve the elderly in our community
Favorite Christmas Carol
"Silent Night" is my favorite hymn on Christmas Eve. The quiet of the church family waiting with anticipation as they sing softly and the individual candles are lit . . . the light spreads across all the faces around you. This is when we catch a glimpse of what it is to see the light of Jesus spread to all those who love Him. May we remember that quiet night so long ago, the anticipation of those around the sleeping baby Jesus and the joy that He brings to those who love Him.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Barb C.
"Silent Night" is my favorite hymn on Christmas Eve. The quiet of the church family waiting with anticipation as they sing softly and the individual candles are lit . . . the light spreads across all the faces around you. This is when we catch a glimpse of what it is to see the light of Jesus spread to all those who love Him. May we remember that quiet night so long ago, the anticipation of those around the sleeping baby Jesus and the joy that He brings to those who love Him.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Barb C.
