Advent Day 1- The Coming from a Pre-Existent State

INTRODUCTION: I hear many saying something like: “I just can’t get into the spirit of Christmas.  I am not really sure what is wrong.  How can I get that spirit back?”  Perhaps what they are saying is they want the symptom of experiencing the true meaning of Christmas back: they want the love, the energy to want to help the needy, or see the family.  Such feelings of philanthropy and “good will toward men” comes from a deeper place.  The true Spirit of Christmas comes from and is identified with the Holy Spirit who testifies that Jesus has come in the flesh.  God the Spirit inspires us, motivates us, energizes us to appreciate and to have more than a shallow- surface-like experience of the season.  The shallowness of materialism will dry up our spirit turning us into Scrooges (either during the time or when the first credit card bills come).  But the Holy Spirit can bring to us anew the deep joy of realizing that God loves us- and has shown it by sending His Son.  The Holy Spirit helps our spirit to “acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh” (1 John 4:3).  It is that acknowledgement that means God cares enough to intersect our lives.  It is this care that brings meaning to our days.  It is his coming in the flesh that brings meaning to our flesh- our earthly existence. 
         This faith is not something we can generate within ourselves.  But I am convinced we can (by God’s grace) put ourselves in a place to appreciate Him and The Reason for the season.  When we appreciate God’s love, it inspires us to go beyond ourselves to love others and to bless Him.    I hope this Advent devotional written by your church’s pastors: Richard Burnett, Tracie Stewart, and Ben Sloan, will help you find that Spirit that inspires and lifts us up. 

Scripture: “I tell you the truth”, Jesus answered, “Before Abraham was, I am!” At this they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the Temple grounds.  (John 8:58,59).

Thoughts: Jesus was In the Temple- the house of God- when He made this death defying claim.  He was linking himself to the father of the faith- Abraham.  Abraham was the hero of faith.  He set the example of leaving the comfort of his home in Ur (Ur was one of the richest cities in the world with running water and plenteous food), to go to an unseen land.  He believed God wanted him to go.  Jesus also left the comforts of heaven (even more comfortable than Ur!), to come to be born in a manger and rejected by his people- because it was the Father’s will.  Jesus was not just saying he preceded Abraham in time, he was also preceding him in the quality of faith.  The willingness to risk everything in order to fill God’s will is the spirit of the incarnation that is seen in Abraham’s willingness to obey God’s call.   Abraham did not just believe God and stay in Ur.  He acted on his belief.  Jesus did not just love us and stay in heaven.  He acted on His love. Perhaps the spirit of Christmas is found in both believing that Jesus has come in the flesh and then acting on that belief by leaving our comfort to go out of our way: to worship; to look for the hurting around us and comfort them;  to listen to the still small voice of God directing us in the busyness of the world around us. 

Prayer: Lord, today help me to want your will more than my own comfort.  Give me grace to show your love to someone else today.

Application: Think of someone in your neighborhood who is hurting and do something nice for them (send them a card or an email, or bake something for them).