Welcome back to our special Advent edition of the Daily Devos. Advent means “the arrival.” It is a way to look back and celebrate the Son of God coming to earth to be born as a baby in a manger while we also look forward to His second coming when creation will be redeemed and restored. Through December, we invite you to experience Advent in your own story.

Each week, we will discover a theme or a promise seen in the birth of Jesus that carries us through the “already not yet” as we await the arrival of His eternal Kingdom. This week we are looking at the promise of LOVE.

Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God. 

Glad you are back! Today is a great day to bring this week full circle.

On Monday, we learned that Moses’ prayer to see the glory of God was answered when God appeared before him in a cloud on Mount Sinai. We learned that God’s glory is His character, His nature, and His way of relating to His creation. God revealed that He is abounding in love and faithfulness. Moses experienced God personally and so can we.

On Tuesday, we absorbed the truth that Jesus is “the Word” and “the Word” has always been with His Father. Jesus is in union with His Father and the Holy Spirit forming the Trinity. Jesus was present at the beginning of the world, and later He came to save the world.

On Wednesday, we heard how God’s abounding love prompted Him to give His one and only Son to a world that desperately needed a Savior. Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world but to save all who would believe in Him and bring eternal life.

On Thursday, we came to understand that Jesus is the one, true light of the world. John the Baptist came to testify and prepare the way for Jesus and His ministry. John was a reflection of Jesus’ light in the world. Today, we can be a reflection of Jesus’ light and goodness to those around us.

Today’s verses bring it all together.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” We know “the Word” is Jesus and “became flesh” meant that He was born a human and lived His life among other humans. “We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father…” Jesus is the One and Only Son of God and we know that Jesus’ glory reflects His Father’s glory – His character and relationship with His creation.

“John testifies concerning him.” John the Baptist told of the coming Messiah, Jesus. Even though Jesus came after John, Jesus would be greater because He truly existed before John’s birth.

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Law and grace are both aspects of God’s nature. Moses emphasized God’s law and justice, while Jesus came to highlight God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness. Moses could only be the giver of the law, while Jesus came to fulfill the law. Rather than coming through cold, stone tablets, God’s truth comes through the life of Jesus.

“No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” Jesus is completely human and completely divine (Colossians 2:9). He is one with His Father. Jesus came to make His Father known to the world.

My prayer is that you have become better acquainted with Jesus – the Word, the Light of the World, the One and Only Son of God, and the promised Savior. God’s abounding love for you is wrapped in the gift of Jesus. Will you accept the gift He offers this Christmas season?

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• If you have recently accepted the gift of Jesus, we would love to partner with you in your journey forward.
  
• Baptism booklet and website
  
• What practice or habit can you put into place that will help you grow in your relationship with Jesus?
  
• Prayer: Abba, Father, thank You for the Word, the Light of the World, Your One and Only Son, and the promised Savior – Jesus. He was given as a gift to all who would believe. Jesus came to reveal Your glory to the world. He is the perfect reflection of You. May we reflect the light of Jesus in our own lives. Please lead us to develop habits that help us grow closer to You. In the Beautiful Name of Jesus, I pray – Amen.
  
• Find more Advent tools and resources at venturechurch.org/advent.