Final Study

Read: Luke 2:33-40

Sing: Your favorite Christmas hymn! One of mine is Prepare Him Room.

How do we wrap up this study? So much has been gained through the Word, so many truths about God and His faithfulness and Sovereignty. I have trouble knowing where and when to really digest it all. Christmas as the holiday we celebrate may have passed but the birth of Christ and what that meant for mankind obviously continues. It can be so easy to allow the Lord to be present for only this time and focus for but a moment as our thoughts already run rampant to New Year's festivities and activities. May I encourage you friend, rather thent he trend that has taken ladies by storm where you chose a "word," that you chose the Word this year. Be an avid student of the only Word that is spoken by God, that does not return void, that has the power to turn hearts of stone to hearts of flesh; and reveals to us the attributes of our Great God. Let us set the table for an unquenchable hunger and thirst than can not be satisfied with anything less than saturation of the Living Word, becoming not merely a partaker but a student and scribe this year.

We end this portion of Luke with a prophetess Anna. A woman 84 years old, worshiping with fasting and prayer day and night in the temple. She was able to witness the birth of the one she worshiped and longed for. What a marvelous and beautiful picture. We must not forget that she was faithful in this season of silence, decade after decade. Worshiping, waiting, longing for He who would dwell among them. 

So, as we wrap up, may we find ourselves with hearts like Anna, as we await the second Advent... Christ's return.

#23 A Weary World Rejoices

Read: Luke 2:21-35

Sing: See, Amid the Winter's Snow

The next two, really the last portion that we will be studying looks at two individuals who are faithful to the Lord. Today, as we read the encounter with Simeon, take time to think through his faithfulness. A man aged in years, whom the Lord did not forget His promise. Simeon would live to see the Lord's Christ. And he did. 

There is much to say on this, but the most value came through reading through the scriptures time and time again!

Blessings on your reading of the Lord's faithfulness.

A Weary World Rejoices #22

Read: Luke 2:8-20    

Sing: What Child is This?

This feels like such a climatic point of our journey. They babe has been born, and now an army of heavenly hosts break through the darkness of night glorifying God in the highest! Truth us, although we can feel the darkness break it is just the beginning. This journey will continue to the foot of a cross and to the empty grave. How marvelous in deed.

My mind goes directly to John 1 "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." In the night, a light burst forth. It was not just night as the time but had been a night over man kind as they awaited the Messiah.

J.C. Ryle writes this, " The spiritual darkness which had covered the earth for four thousand years, was about to be rolled away. the way to pardon and peace with God was about to be thrown open to all mankind. The head of Satan was about to be bruised. Liberty was about to be proclaimed to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind. The mighty truth was about to be proclaimed that God could be just, and yet, for Christ's sake, justify the ungodly. Salvation was no longer to be seen through types and figures, but openly face to face. The knowledge of God was no longer to be confined to the Jews, but to be offered to the whole Gentile world. The days of heathenism were numbered. The first stone of God's kingdom was about to be set up (pg. 44)." 

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14." Absolutely remarkable. As we sing this morning, what child is this?  May we proclaim with the hymn and with the angels yet again, this is Christ the Lord.

Noteworthy to that point, is the proclamation of the angels to the title of the Son. These titles reveal the nature of the work. Reformation Study Bible notes, "Jesus is only called Savior twice in the gospels. Christ means, Messiah, and Lord is used commonly in the Septuagint as God's covenant name. 

"Glory to God in the Highest! the song begins. Now is come the highest degree of glory to God, by the appearing of His Son Jesus Christ in the world. He by His life and death on the cross will glorify God's attributes,-justice, holiness, mercy and wisdom,-as they were never glorified before. Creation glorified God, but not so much as redemption (Ryle, pg45)." 

May we too, today, and as this Advent season draws close, make haste like our shepherd friends of long ago, to share the good news of glad tidings and to worship Christ the Lord.

#21

Read Luke 2:1-8

Sing: Joy to the World

Today's will be short and sweet as we are spending time in the aftermath of our Christmas activities and festivities. As I was reading through the commentaries for this portion of scripture one point really stuck out. The thought that there was no room in the inn. We can always look at this as a bad thing. In Christmas places we see forlorn Mary and Joseph being turned away again and again. Then we bear witness to the final destination, a packed in and an inn keeper who offers them a stable. Yet,what we read as unfortunate in our Western modern eyes; was actually all a part of the plan. Mary gave birth within the sight of many. The town was packed. Multiple places were visited and multiple people saw a pregnant young girl and her husband. She gave birth not in secret where a story could have been fabricated and became one of myth and fable; but gave birth in a situation that would allow for public testimony. 

Keep in mind, there was no social media, nor newspaper announcements or photographic proof. Eye witnesses were a major portion of how people would know if something was true or false. What we might see as untimely, why a census, why when she was due...was perfectly orchestrated. Praise be to God for His perfect portion always.

A Weary World Rejoices (19 &20)

Read: Luke 1:57-80

Sing: Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming

Luke 1:57-66 Elizabeth gives birth to her son. After 9 months of silence from her husband, who has lived under the consequences of his unbelief, a child is born! On the 8th day when they went to circumcise the child, those gathered assumed he would be called Zechariah. Yet, Elizabeth and Zechariah in their faithful walks declare him name to be John. A beautiful moment is witnessed as we see the reconciliation of Zechariah. His last words 9 months ago had been marked with unbelief. Now his very first words, and words of blessing. From doubt to worship. From unbelief to faithful servant. Such a breath taking moment that Luke recorded for us to read. 

Luke 1:67-80 There is so much yet again in this passage. I will be linking again more sermons so that we may better understand the Word yet. Let us pause this morning though on the glorious last 3 verses of Zechariah's prophecy. Luke 1: 76-79, " And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace."

May we remember our roles as such this Christmas as well. May we be forerunners of grace of God, sharing with all the knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins. That we no longer sit in darkness because we have seen a great light. May Christ be the center of our worship this weekend. May the greatest gift we receive be the kindness and reminder that the babe born in the manger came to carry the cross, live a perfect life, die an atoning death, and rose again. He the babe in the manger is the Son of Man, our Mediator, our King. 

Merry Christmas.

Benedictus, God's Mighty Salvation

Preparing to Encounter Jesus

18

Read: Luke 1:46-56

Sing: Mary's Song

This passage is marvelous in many ways. In particular the worship heard and the knowledge of scripture that pours out of Mary's heart through her lips. I am including today on here Hannah's Song. Why you ask? Because it so closely models Mary's. Read Hannah's prayer and then write out Mary's in the column next to it. 

Also, here is a link to 2 sermons on this passage. We would do well to have a correct biblical understanding of the scene and ponder it in our hearts, just as we witness Mary do many times in her journey as the Messiah's mother. 

Believing God  -Chose this sermon on the page. 

A Teenager's Christmas- By: Sinclair Ferguson

Hannah's Song:

My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoices in your salvation.

There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth;for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.

Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.

The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.

The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.

He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world.

He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.

The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven.

The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.

Mary's Song:(blank for you to write out!)

#17!

Read: Luke 1:39-45

Listen: Joy

Today's passage is always a particularly powerful, humbling, and beautiful one to come too. The thoughts that come to mind as Luke saw fit to record this most wonderful of conversations between 2 faithful women.

Mary came to Elizabeth. The moment her eyes laid rest on Elizabeth's stomach, must have brought an overwhelming sense of delight. The angel had told Mary that Elizabeth was with child, and so it was!

As Mary approaches Elizabeth, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, and the baby in her womb leaps with joy. Elizabeth proclaim's what is this that the mother of my Lord, should come to visit me? I could weep at such faith. In modern lenses it is easy to gloss over this passage. we liken it with the same familiarity as the ornaments we string on our tree each year, and save the passage for around now. BUT, Elizabeth is declaring the baby, the Messiah! The Promised One. Her faith has led her to believe and through the Holy Spirit she is able to proclaim the announcement of the One who was promised to come. She recognizes Him instantly. These words would be echoed again in years to come by the disciple Peter when Jesus asks him who he believes him to be. Peter will answer, 'You are the Christ.' Elizabeth, was neither asked nor given the privy to see the Lord in the flesh. She beautifully states in the truth of the knowledge of the Word and His promises from times past that what God said is to be.

We are told back in the first verses that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. We are given the gift of this event to have our own faith strengthened. For the moment that the forerunner was next to the Promised One, he leaped in his mother's womb! How beautiful is this scene.

Finally, Elizabeth says, " and blessed is she that believed." I truly cannot help but cry here. The older barren woman speaking to the pregnant virgin girl. She is celebrating her belief that what God promised is coming to pass. Mary went to see Elizabeth, following the direction of Gabriel. There stood Elizabeth, much advanced in years, carrying the prophet John. There stood a young girl, who trusted in the promises of the Lord, holding in her womb, the Creator of all things.

Take time to meditate on this passage today. To delight in the stunningly beautiful moment shared by 2 women who faithfully trusted that what God says is true and who delighted in the law of the Lord. May our own hearts be filled with the knowledge of He who is able. Amen and Amen.

A Weary World Rejoices #16

Read: Luke 1:34-38

Sing: The First Noel

Greetings, friends. Oh, the week of Christmas. The frenzy seems to have filled the air, and the weather seems to be stirring the pot. It is so easy to be distracted, overwhelmed and inundated with lists, tasks, necessities and needless stressors this week. It's as if the entire year seems to climax this week. I have to admit, my Christmas prep is less than stellar. Today I will need to go to the grocery shop, and gift shop, finish the laundry and clean. My mind feels distracted and hard to quiet even this morning, with lists and the things I haven't done or forgotten to do. (Christmas cards...not happening...lol) Yet, in light of eternity, what do these things way out? Every year at this time, It is so important to focus on those things which hold weight in the Kingdom. Time spent in His word, never a waste, never a hasty choice, time spent in prayer; always profitable. Time spent with our families, moments we can never duplicate. Meditating on the first advent of Christ, always a joy.

Today's passage, is summed up excellently by J.C. Ryle. There is so much to say! We are traveling at a snail pace, and I realize we will be taking this study post Christmas to finish it out. Lets jump into to see Ryle's second point on this passage of scripture:

" Let us mark, in the second place, the prominent place assigned to the Holy Ghost in the great mystery of the incarnation. We find it written, 'The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee.' ...In every step of the great work of man's redemption, we shall find special mention of the work of the Holy Ghost. Did Jesus die to make atonement for our sins? It is written that 'through the eternal Spirit He offered himself without spot to God' (Heb 9:14). Did He rise again for our justification? It is written that he was 'quickened by the Spirit' (1 Pet. 3:18). Does He supply his disciples with comfort between the time of his first and second advent? It is written that the Comforter, whom he promised to send, is 'the Spirit of Truth' ( John 14:17). Let us remember, that all that believers have, are and enjoy under the gospel, they owe to the inward teaching of the Holy Spirit. The word of each of the three persons of the Trinity is equally and entirely needful to the salvation of every saved soul. The election of God the Father, the blood of God the Son, and the sanctification of God the Holy Spirit, ought never to be separated in our Christianity" (pg 21 Luke Vol.1 Commentary). 

Wow. It is remarkable to see the powerful workings of God among His people. To see the angel come and deliver a message of the miraculous. To have the gentle reminder to Mary, ' For nothing is impossible with God.' And to see the faithful reply of a young girl, 'Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy Word.'

Today and this week, may we trust in the saving work of Jesus Christ. May we boldly proclaim with good tidings and great joy the true reason that we celebrate at Christmas- Christ! And may we with renewed faith, hope and love of the Lord respond to His word every so eagerly...not my will but Yours be done. Amen.

#15 A Weary World Rejoices

Read: Luke 1:26-38

Sing: Who Would Have Dreamed

Today, we will zero in on one thought, and I will leave you with several wonderful resources for the weekend ahead. 

James Montgomery Boice writes, "Mary's faith in now reconciled in us now, at Christmas," If we are a professing believer in Him, we have God in us and with us. This is accomplished by God alone, apart from any human contribution. (pg 71). 

Mary did not earn, help or add to the incarnation of Christ within her womb. God chose her, He alone did all of the work of the creation of a new life within her, and yet she was blessed through it. This season may we reflect on the goodness and truthfulness and mercies that our salvation comes through faith alone, by Christ alone, to the Glory of God alone. 

Believeing God-Luke 1:26-58

He Will Save

A Weary World Rejoices #14

Read: Luke 1:26-38

Sing: Hark, the Harold Angels Sing

So much comes to mind as we work through this passage. Honestly, there are times I have trouble sorting my thoughts, or prioritizing them, because I want to share them all at once! Through the numerous books and commentaries read on these chapters, it feels at times as if both my head and heart could explode. God is so gracious, so kind, and so marvelous.

I happen to be in Revelation right now on my one year reading plan, like many of you might be. It has been very fascinating reading through the first and second Advent at the same time. Something I may have never likened together, which in some ways misses the point of both. The story of Christ's reconciliation and then return. Wow. It has really stuck out to me, the difference in the angels roles and comings and goings in these situations. The first advent, gently, quietly and singing at times. Making announcements with glad tidings! The later, ushering in a fierce King with trumpet blasts, worship, magnitude and awe. Truly God, Truly Man. It is the Son of Man's coming both times, yet in very different means. We live between the 2 events, may we think on this as we study our passage more. 

James Boice in his book The King Has Come, breaks down the announcement into several parts:

     -That Jesus would be great

     -That He would be the Son of the Most High

     -That He would be Holy

     -That He would reign over the house of Jacob

     -That He would be the Son of God.

This is incredible. The angel is telling Mary that the Seed has come. That all of the covenant promises that those who waited look back towards and waited forwards for, was about to come to past. The Lord Himself, would come and dwell among His people. He would tabernacle with them. I think this can be easily lost on us. Table Talk magazine speaks on this, actually in today's reading, "It can be easy to forget how incredible it is that God Almighty chooses to come near to sinners. This is grace, for He is by no means required to draw close. In face, He has no need to pay us any attention at all. Yet He does not remain far off but dwells with His people. Let us meditate on this truth and what it says about the grace of our glorious God." 

During the Christmas season,it is very easy to forget it is about Jesus. Everything, the festivities, the celebration, the somberness, the joy, the lights, the feasts, is because He came. It can be so easy, even as we study to be shocked by the angels appearing, Zechariah's unbelief or the young Virgin's obedience. BUT, the entirety is about Christ. May we pause and reflect and pray and keep Christ at the center of all things, may we delight in His amazing grace that He came and dwelt among us.

 

A Weary World Rejoices#13

Read: Luke 1:26-38

Sing: Hark, the Harold Angels Sing

One of the most beautiful passages in our scriptures, yet equally one that is so frequently taken out of context. It is probably as a woman, one that we most try to "place ourselves in her shoes." I did it this year myself! Marveling at what it would have been like in every human aspect and slighting the divine portion and the promises of the God being fulfilled.Year after year this portion can get twisted, misused or flat out wrongly taught. It is with that weight, I found it fittingly to look to godly men who have faithfully exposited this portion.

James Boice has a wonderful book called The King Has Come, it is from there a part of our study will come from today and tomorrow.

Martin Luther, quoting Bernard will break down the first portion of this passage into 3 miracles. 

1)That God and man should be joined in this child

2)That a mother should remain a virgin

3)That Mary would have such faith as to believe that this mystery would be accomplished in her. (Pg65)

Looking at verses 26-33 specifically today and tomorrow, there is so much treasure to mine. We see again, and angel of the Lord appear, Gabriel specifically. He comes to a young girl in an obscure city. He announces his arrival stating "Greetings O favored One! The Lord is with you!" We are told "But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what type of greeting this might be." Mary, caught off guard one can assume, was shocked. Yet, she 'pondered it in her heart.' We actually will see this behavior from her over and over again. There are many situations where Mary instead of speaking out, or interjecting, ponders it. She thinks about it. She holds it in and allows the Lord to reveal the truths in His time. 

One can scarely understand the moment of an angel appearing with a direct message from the Lord, but thinking on point 1- can we understand at all the concept that God and man should be joined within the womb of this child? Jesus Christ, Fully God, Fully Man. Not a little of both. Not some. FULLY. The Creator of all things, who breathe brought forth light and life, would now dwell among His people. 

May we simply sit, and ponder this truth today. 

AWWR #12

Read: Luke 1:18-25

Sing: Hark, the Harold Angels Sing

"I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news." Eek. The priest had just questioned the messenger of God, and the response is earth shattering. I can't imagine the lump that formed in Zechariah's throat when Gabriel not just states his name (which as a priest his mind probably would have recalled his presence in the people of Israel's past) but that he stands in the presence of God. A messenger, to whom the greatest of honors he announces as his qualifications; that he stands in the presence of God.

How awesomely terrifying. This angel was sent from the presence of God to deliver a message face to face to the righteous priest, and the priest did not believe him. 

Gabriel is mentioned by name also in Daniel 8:16 and 9:21. Gabriel is sent to Daniel to help him understand a revelation from God. Daniel responds in fear and falls to his face. Gabriel would appear a second time to Daniel saying he had come to give insight and understanding, and to tell Daniel his pleas for mercy have been heard and that he is greatly loved. "Therefore consider the word and understand the vision. (9:23)

Gabriel seems to have the same role here. He had been sent and starts his proclamation to Zechariah the same way, your prayers have been heard! A messenger sent directly from the throne of God to the children of man. This is much to take in. Yet where reverence and fear filled Daniel, fear and unbelief overcame Zechariah. The beauty of the Word is that the narrative is true, Luke could have smoothed this over to try and make the priest of the lineage of Aaron look better, or smudge the details. But we get to read the humanity of the story and the grace of our Lord. 

Moving onto verse 25, Elizabeth gets her first spoken words. "Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people." Elizabeth acknowledges the miracle, the kindness, the blessing and the humility of the situation. She is well in age, and being with child must have at first been a shock but after a confirmation that her husband heard from the Lord. She thanks the Lord for removing from her the term barren one to that of the mother of "he who is the greatest among men."

May our hearts be full of gratitude and grace as we encounter the Lord Most High through His Word today.

AWWR #11

Read: Luke 1:18-25

Sing: Hark, the Harold Angels Sing!

While, although we have a lot to work through, I am not ready to move on. I want to linger in this portion again today and tomorrow. The entirety of the Christmas season can become quite hurried if we aren't careful, but in these moments of quietness before the Lord, I want to lay still.

We briefly started talking about unbelief last study but I want to further dive into this. For me, it is something that lays root at many of my fears. Often it boils down to this, Do I actually believe that everything that happens in my life is for my good and God's glory? Sure it is easy to say yes to the happy things, the good things, the fruitful seasons...but do I say yes in the face of uncertainty, sickness, faithlessness and hardship?

Ryle writes, "The forty years' wanderings of Israel in the wilderness, should never be forgotten by professing Christians. The words of Paul are very solemn : "They could not enter in because of unbelief."

It reminds me of the Luke 16:19-31 where Jesus talks about the rich man and the poor man Lazarus. My mind went right to the end where the rich man begs that messengers be sent to his 5 brothers to warn his brothers that they might be spared torment. And the response comes, they have Moses and the Prophets...if they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, even if someone rises from the dead, they will not believe. 

Often we wait for miracles or signs and wonders to "trust," in the Lord. Such is our nature, we want proof. All the while we ignore that we have the written Word of God. Complete. Every thing that the Lord would want us to know until His second Advent has been graciously, mercifully given to us. Yet, so many times we respond in unbelief. We want more, but neglect the faithful study of what we have. We want signs written in the clouds, and angels to appear and tell us what to do!

BUT! Zechariah should be a great reminder that even a righteous man, who knew the prophecies, and was literally in the middle of serving the Lord in the Temple...when a heavenly Host appeared, it was in fact, not enough. Gabriel will silence him in his doubt that very moment. And as doubt was the last words on Zechariah's mouth here, we will get to see that his first words 9 months later will be in prophecy and praise. His unbelief will be turned to worship.

Ryle concludes his thoughts on this passage, "Let us watch and pray daily against this soul-ruining sin. Concessions to it rob believers of their inward peace,-weaken their hands in the day of battle,-bring clouds over their hopes,-make their chariot wheels drive heavily...Unbelief, in short, is the true cause of a thousand spiritual diseases, and once allowed to nestle in our hearts, will eat as doth a canker. "If ye will not believe, ye shall not be established (is. 7.9)." In all that respects the pardon of our sins, and the acceptance of our souls,-the duties of our peculiar station and the trials of our daily life,-let it be a settled maxim in our religion, to trust every word of God implicitly, and to beware unbelief."" 

May we pray this Advent season for confidence in our Covenant keeping God.

Read: Luke 1:18-25

Sing: O Come O Come Emmanuel

Unbelief. That is the concept we will land on today. By all accounts Zechariah should have not been filled with unbelief. We learned of his character in the firts verses of this passage and yet here we are, getting to listen in to this most intimate moment and his response is, " How can this be?"

Since the garden we see throughout the Bible a faithful, promise-keeping God and a doubtful questioning man. 

J.C. Ryle discusses it, "Let us learn wisdom from the fault of Zechariah.It is a fault to which God's people in every age have been sadly liable. The histories of Abraham, and Isaac, and Moses, and Hezekiah, and Jehoshaphat, will all show is that a true believer may sometimes be overtaken by unbelief. It is one of the first corruptions which came into man's heart in the day of the fall, when Eve believed the devil rather than God."

Thankfully, we get to see Jesus refuse this and have a model how we too can triumph over disbelief. When Satan appears to Him on earth, no longer disguised but finding the Lord in the wilderness, he tries the same tactic. If you really are...and the Son of Man answers back with the Word and a solid conviction in who God is. May we too learn to stand against our own disbelief and that of a world who constantly asks the same question, with a solid grounding of the Word in our own hearts and minds. 

Let us never be too proud to shout out as the father who cries out to Jesus in Mark 9, "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!" Such an honest prayer and a humbling statement. 

This weekend let us examine our own hearts and see areas where unbelief still lies, let us be in the Word, hiding scripture in our heart, that as doubt creeps in, we can answer it with the Spirit breathed truths of His everlasting promises. This Advent may the Lord help our unbelief!

A sermon for the weekend: Fulfilled among us. "A Prepared People"

A Weary World Rejoices #9

Read: Luke 1:13-17

Sing: O Come O Come Emmanuel

As we worship in song through the longing and petitioning for our Savior, as we echo with those of times past, O Come O Lord; make we reflect on the goodness of Christ's first coming today.

Zechariah is greeted by an angel in today's text. Zechariah was standing before the Lord, in the temple, doing his priestly duties and an angel of the Lord appears. His first response fear. His second response, disbelief, but we will talk about that tomorrow!

The older priest, who we know loved the Lord, when he a visible and physical confirmation that the Lord hears his prayers, he is full of fear. this is important to note. So many times as we read our Bibles we can err to try and interject ourselves into the stories. Monday morning quarterbacking into time and circumstances laid out to tell the history of Christ, not the history of man. And often in that error we place ourselves as the hero(ine). How many times do we wonder, would we respond like Mary, a young women who sings out in praise that is saturated with scriptural references? We often judge the priest, make him a malicious bad guy, a religious guy doing his job, not believing what he teaches (yes I have heard this narrative before!) But as we step back let us not be robbed of the beauty and grace beyond measure of the coming of Jesus into our world.

It starts with this precious response, "Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and he will be named John (which means, "the Lord is gracious.") The prayers of a husband and wife, who probably for decades requested a child, there prayers were not unheard, the timing was just more important than they knew. For this couple who served the Lord, who believed what He said was true, who were awaiting the Seed of Jesse, would get to hold the forerunner of Christ. They would not just have any son, but one whom Jesus would later say, "Not one born among women is greater than John." 

This John, the angel tells us, will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. Excitingly we get to see this very prophecy fulfilled this chapter! Keep an eye out for it, as we have promise after promise saw that what God says He will do He does. 

400 years, and since the garden, the people longed for a savior. A Redeemer. They longed with hope and yearned for Him to come. They knew not how or when. And in a moments time, it was time. Christ will come and dwell among us, and John would prepare the way. May we pray with hopeful expectations that the will of God would be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Amen.

AWWR#8

Read: Luke 1:5-12

Sing: He Who is Mighty

Today lets turn our attention to God's sovereignty and the mystery of His messengers. 

Zechariah was doing his job when we meet him. His division was on duty and he was chosen by lot to offer the incense before the Lord. To the outside it might look as if by chance, after all casting lots or being chose that way was like picking a name out of a hat for lack of better explanation. But, we serve a sovereign God who had orchestrated all of history from eternity past and this event was His. Often, its easy to get stuck in the Christmas story as if its chronological. God only handling each event, each person one at a time. First He is with the priest, then Joseph and so on and so forth. But, this is not the case, and it does us well to be reminded. God is sovereign over the entire universe. Every moment every event...as a reformer likes to state... there are no such things as maverick molecules! Every moment is His, this is no exception.

Reformation Study Bible includes in the notes further insight to this event, "The large number of priests serving the one temple meant that a priests opportunities for taking part in the ritual were few. He might not offer incense more than once in his like (some priests never had the privilege). This is the high point of Zechariah's career. He would go into the Holy Place, after which others would withdraw, leaving him alone to perform the offering on the alter of incense immediately before the veil leading to the Most Holy Place."

Zechariah was at the pinnacle of his duties. A faithful man doing his job well, one might think he expected great merit, he himself, as a faithful man probably longed for this event. And at the very peak of his priesthood...it would be entirely disrupted.

An angel appeared. 

Zechariah did not shout for joy. He feared. A righteous man, in the tabernacle was surprised by the unexpected visitor. We will get more into his response tomorrow but I was to pause with J.C. Ryle's comments on this portion:

    "How are we to account for this fear? To that question there is only one answer. It arises from our inward sense of weakness, guilt and corruption. The vision of an inhabitant of heaven reminds us forcibly of our own imperfection, and of our natural unfitness to stand before God. If angels are so great and terrible, what must the Lord of angels be?"

Angels are seen with great frequency during the proclamation and birth of Christ. Heralds from heaven shouting forth the great news. Yet, in every circumstance they are met with fear. This gives us a chance to think of our possible false narrative and ideologies of not just angels but also wishing for a messenger from heaven to tell us directly. People met these heavenly hosts with terror. 

May the sovereignty of God, the perfect portion that he has poured for you and I today and the awesomeness of who He is fill your thoughts as we walk through the Word towards Christmas. 

AWWR #7

Read: Luke 1:5-12

Sing: He Who is Mighty

We are going to camp here for a few days. It is amazing, it hasn't been that many months ago that I started studying and reading for Luke, and I have already forgotten some of the beautiful truths dug out of this portion of scripture. Christmas is a time that can become so rushed and frantic and distracted. I am desiring that we can linger and long for the Word and the truths of Jesus as we study through.

This passage really struck me for a number of reasons but today I would like to talk about the faithfulness of God's people. We have presented Zachariah and Elizabeth. Scripture records them as "walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statues of the Lord." Pause. I am fairly confident that an opening sentence on my character would not read this way. It would be a lie. And this being the Word of God we know he cannot even smudge the truth. Zachariah and Elizabeth loved the Lord. They were faithful.

Not only were the faithful but they were faithful in affliction and faithful in silence. Today, lets explore the later. 

As Zachariah went to perform his priestly duties, he was going to serve the Lord. When the angel appears to him, this is the first word from God since the time of Malachi. 400 years. 400 years of quiet. Yet in that quietness, we stumble upon the story of not just one but several individuals who served Yahweh and were "righteous before God." This would mean, their faith was not for show, not for the sake of job, or because of their lineage, to be found righteous and walking blamelessly would mean that had to believe that God is who He says He is. 

I am not sure I would have that type of faith. Its hard to wait a day for the Lord to answer a prayer, let alone a year...let alone 400. These people did not have bibles or apps or even the church structure we are blessed with today. But, what they did have was more than enough. They had the portion of scripture from the Old Testament and they had the means of the historical preservation of their own history and seeing that God is a promise keeping God. 

But, 400 years! The Israelites couldn't keep it together for 40 days the first time Moses goes up the mountain to speak to God. They were begging Aaron for an idol this side of a month, and Aaron who had witnessed the miracles of God's rescue, brought a calf before the people. Now we can flash forward to a precious barren couple, a priest being faithful to his duties with hope unseen; and a barren wife faithfully serving besides her husband, trusting in the promises of God.

Barrenness in biblical times was seen as a curse. Typically it would have been seen as a punishment for sin, but we are told in Elizabeth's case she was barren simply because God willed it. She was barren because that is how the Lord intended her to live all of those years. In her barrenness, in her ache of an empty womb, we know she still lived well. How? Because it says in God's word, they were righteous before God, they walked in his statues. Elizabeth's condition did not control her worship, Elizabeth's situation did not write her "spiritual abilities." Even in her longing, she was found faithful.

In the Psalms we see it written over and over again about the precepts of the Lord (19&119) examining 19:8-9 in light of what we have learned about Zachariah and Elizabeth are overwhelming. "the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous all together." Their lives reflected that they believed the Word of God.

Friend, this Christmas, in the rush and the distraction, may we draw closer to Him. May we trust that what He says is true. Despite any affliction or trials or silence we might be experiencing, may we ask God to teach us to be faithful to keep His commandments and walk with hearts full of joy.

AWWR#6

 Read: Luke 1:1-4

Sing: He Who Is Mighty

Some days, I cannot help but feel myself choke up as I work though this narrative. (Okay, who am I kidding...most days). This morning though, indeed I had to keep pausing. This might be puzzling as we are only working through the greeting of a letter from one man to another, but I could not help but thinking through the fact the Lord saw fit that through Luke to Theophilus, we too would receive an orderly account of the life of Christ. The Reformation Study Bible denotes it like this, "Luke addresses Theophilus and explains his purpose for writing to offer a well-researched and orderly presentation of the events that have launches the Christian movement, as a foundation for confident assurance in the truth of the Gospel."

How blessed are we to be partakers of this glorious truth. How much do we not even think of the kindness that the Lord has given us in having the entirety of the written word at our finger tips? I know we briefly touched on this concept last week, but I keep going back to it, as in a day in age where we have almost unlimited access to a global database of knowledge (and filth) at our finger tips through our phones and tablets...do we lose sight that we have complete and total access to the Word of God at all times. Pushing it further, because we live on this side of the resurrection we have complete access to the throne of God through His Son Jesus Christ, who was born and died to take away all our guilt and shame. We are now heirs of righteousness. Do we live in this truth? Do we delight in the Word each day as it being of our eternal value? 

J.C. Ryle states, "let Christ be the sun of our system and the main desire of our souls be to live the life of faith in Him, and daily know Him better." What better time than advent to restore our joy and love of Christ. To marvel at the most remarkable of miracles that the Creator and Sustainer of all things would come into the world in flesh Himself, as the King Incarnate, to die for our sins.

Jesus Christ, the exact imprint of the nature of God, would be held by a teenager's hands. Would walk the roads He created, would sleep under the stars that he both set and named. Don't let this escape you! He who is mighty...has done this great thing. God with Us. Emmanuel.

AWWR#5

Read: Luke 1-2:40 emphasis on verse 1

Sing: Prepare Him Room

As we prepare to jump into the heart of the context next week I wanted to focus on verse 1 today and leave us with something to meditate on this weekend. Luke wrote for a very specific reason. A beautiful reason and one that as believers we should hold tightly too, and consider each time we go to our own Bibles. J.C. Ryle writes, " Luke gives us a short , but valuable sketch of the nature of the gospel. He calls it, 'A declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us.' It is a narrative of facts about Jesus Christ."

Ryle goes on to write, " Christianity is a religion built upon facts. Let us never lose sight of this. It came before mankind at first in this shape. The first preachers did not go up and down the world, proclaiming an elaborate, artificial system of abstruse doctrines and deep principles. They made it their business to tell men great plain facts. They went about telling a sin- laden world, that the Son of God had come down to earth, lived for us, died for us, and risen again. The Gospel, at its first publication, was far more simple than many make it now. It was neither more nor less that the history of Christ."

Woah. I read this paragraph several times the past few months as I studied this portion of Scripture. I looked around me to our church at present and needed to take time to grieve over the mess, over the emotional, therapeutic, deism that we have mucked the history of Jesus into. Then I realized, we can do something about this. You, me...every lady reading this and every woman willing to listen to you share this. We can be students of the Word. We can know the facts of the Gospel through the revealed Word of Christ inside and out. AND then, be able to share it articulately with others around us. 

Often we start the good news of Jesus with ourselves. We try to break ground with people by telling them what Jesus has done for us. He instantly becomes a bonus buddy, not the Savior of the World. We lose sight of the fact that we were dead in our sins and trespasses...dead. There was nothing that we could do. Dead men can't help themselves, but Jesus Christ came, bore our sins on the cross, and now clothes us in His righteousness. My husband has used this analogy often while teaching at events and conferences...we lead too much with the answer. We go up to people and say the answer is Jesus! We don't lay out the problem we just offer a solution to something they are not looking for. Or we make it super ambiguous- Ab+DR*3q=Christ.We make the problem obsolete and offer a confusing solution. We must know the Gospel in its entirety and in its clarity. We have a great problem Sin=death. That must be made evident. But we have a greater Savior. Christ=salvation. He came, paid the debt we could not, to a problem we would never solve, and he gave it freely.

Friend, may we be able, as Luke himself, share with all the Theophilus in our lives an orderly account of the good news of Jesus Christ. 

Read: Luke 1-2:41

Sing: Prepare Him Room

Always winter but never Christmas. C.S. Lewis sets out in his book to describe the state of Narnia. A place where there was always longing but never hope. As I thought on how it would have been to live in the time of silence, the 400 years where the prayers of the people " Come Lord," were answered with quietness, this quote came to mind.

The people waited. They longed for the coming of a rescue plan. They awaited Salvation. They waited for a King. Some, waited faithfully. We hear of their accounts from the gospels. Faithful servants, priests and wives, young men and old men alike. They awaited.

Its hard to wait 25 days for Christmas and we know (Lord willing) it is coming! We know what day, it is written on our calendar. The whole world knows the 25th is Christmas day. Yet, so many times as a believer, we find ourselves living without hope, as if in Narnia where it is always winter and never Christmas; as if we too,have been sitting in 400 years of silence. We live without the glorious truth of the birth, death and resurrection of the Savior and without the hope that He is coming again. We have the Word! The written account from men inspired by God, to ensure that we knew the history of Christ. 

Today, lets challenge ourselves and examine our hearts. What do our hearts look like this Advent? Not, what do we wish they look like, not where we hope to get too, but today...right now, where are we? Are we laying in wait as if the King has not yet come? Do we bear the same gloom of a perishing world in spite of the proclamations of the promises of God? Are we heralds?! Have we heard the Gospel news and now beam with such gladness that we are telling everyone... CHRISTMAS HAS COME!!!!! 

Can we "Advent," well?! Can our preparations turn our hearts to Him, can they be good tidings of great joy for all people? Can we find moments to spread the love of Jesus and an 'otherworldly' kindness to others...even if its just a smile and thank you to people at check outs? Can we pray over family gatherings and Christmas parties and holiday get togethers...that we could use this season to the glory of God? My prayer, is that we can be glimmers of joy that comes from a confidence in Christ this Christmas.