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. 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”

Let’s trade “the Word” with the name of Jesus and read that verse again.

“In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God. Jesus was with God in the beginning.”

John provides clear evidence that Jesus has always been with His Father and He is eternal. Jesus is the very Word of God and He has always been. In Genesis 1:26, we see the presence of the Trinity at the creation of the world. God, the Father, commanded creation. Jesus, God the Son, made all created things. The Holy Spirit of God approved and sustains creation.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air…” The use of the pronouns “us” and “our” let us know that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all present and working as one to create the world we know.

Let’s connect Genesis 1 to John 1. In verses 3-5 in the Book of John, it says, “Through Jesus all things were made,” which confirms His presence in the beginning. “In Jesus was life, and that life was the light of men.” Jesus was and is life. All living things were given life through Him. His hands touched all creation. His life is a light to everyone.

“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” In the very beginning, at the moment of creation, the Trinity broke through the darkness with what? Light! In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never live in darkness. He will have the light that gives life.” Following Jesus brings light that gives life. He illuminates the way to an abundant life.

Jesus, in union with His Father and the Holy Spirit, brought light into a void to create life. Many years later, in a stable in the town of Bethlehem, God sent His Son into a dark world. The world needed His light that would bring hope. The world still needs His light. The world needs the hope only Jesus can bring.

Thinking back to yesterday’s passage in Exodus, we know that God abounds in love. Love gives birth to life and light. Out of the Father’s great love for us, He brought forth life and light into the world through His Son, Jesus. I am so amazed and comforted to know that my Savior has always been and will always be.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Ask the Lord to open your heart and mind to take in the wonder and awe of the Trinity working in union at the beginning of creation. John wants us to see that Jesus has always been present. He didn’t just arrive and begin existing in a stable. He helped His Father create the animals in that stable and the ground Mary and Joseph walked on. He helped hang the stars that shone so brightly on the night of His own birth. He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. What evidence do you cling to that proves Jesus has always been and will always be?
  
• How can we take Jesus’ light into the world to illuminate the darkness this Christmas season? Who do you know that needs His light that brings life?
  
• Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the comfort and hope it brings to know that Jesus, Your very Word, Your very Son has always been with You. Jesus has always stood in Your presence on our behalf. May we embrace the life He gives us and carry His light into the world that He created. Please help us to live our lives out of the abundant love You’ve shown to us. In the Wonderful Name of Jesus, Amen.
  
• Come back tomorrow for this week’s Advent Daily Devo video!
  
• Find more Advent tools and resources at venturechurch.org/advent.