Monday, December 30, 2013

2013 Advent Devotions from the Lutheran Hour Ministries – Tuesday, 31 December 2013 "STEPPING INTO THE SPOTLIGHT - New Year's Eve - Seventh Day of Christmas" Read Luke 1

2013 Advent Devotions from the Lutheran Hour Ministries – Tuesday, 31 December 2013 "STEPPING INTO THE SPOTLIGHT - New Year's Eve - Seventh Day of Christmas" Read Luke 1: The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”[a] 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”[b] 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[c] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Footnotes:
Luke 1:28 Other ancient authorities add Blessed are you among women
a. Luke 1:34 Gk I do not know a man
b. Luke 1:35 Other ancient authorities add of you. TEXT: Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (see John 1:17)
All through this Advent and Christmas season we have been looking at John's description of Christ's coming into the world. Verse by verse John has shown us increasingly more about this Second Person of the Holy Trinity-God's Son. John first introduced Him to us as the Word who was with God and was God, the Son who was one with the Father and the Holy Spirit from all eternity.
Next he told us this Word was intimately involved in creation, and that nothing was made without Him that has been made. Indeed, life is an essential element of His being, and He shares that life with His creation, a life that gives light to all mankind.
But surprisingly after John tells us the Word was coming into the world he describes the poor reception He received when He arrived: "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own and His own people did not receive Him." (John 1:10-11) Finally, John wrote of the fulfillment of God's great promises throughout the Old Testament, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (see John 1:14).
But something has been missing all through this first chapter of John. The Word, the mighty Son of God has remained unnamed. Now, finally in the 17th verse, the Word emerges from the shadows into the spotlight. On this New Year's Eve, the eve of the eighth day of Christmas, the Babe of Bethlehem, the Son of the Virgin Mary, the mighty Word of God receives His human Name: Jesus.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we rejoice in Your holy Name which means, "The Lord saves." Indeed Your Name sums up everything You accomplished in Your first coming into our world. Prepare us to always be ready for Your second coming. Amen.
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Mail:
Lutheran Hour Ministries
660 Mason Ridge Center Drive
St. Louis, MO 63141 United States
Telephone: (800)876-9880

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