Behold. Our King.
In the days leading up to Christmas, we place ourselves in the seat of those who waited, yearned, and sought the Lord for the promised King. And we marvel anew at the faithfulness and deep love of God in the realization of his promises in Jesus.
This advent, we invite you to join us in the practice of scripture reading, memory, and prayer as we journey through the prophecies of the Messiah and their fulfillment in the birth and life of Jesus.
Pray:
As we enter into a time of reading Scripture, ask, “Lord, would you allow me to slow down and hear your voice today?”
Lord, today I rest in you. May I wait in this advent season like Simon and Anna whose confidence was established in you. As I wait on you, my heart, thoughts, and action are yours to shape and transform into the likeness of you. I am amazed at the hope and the assurance I have in you. You are faithful. There is not a promise you won’t fulfill. And I remain confident that every promise already fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled is from you. You are the king who came, you are at work still, and you will return to reign forever.
Scripture:
Take your time reading through the passage. Read the passage 2 or 3 times, each time asking the Lord to speak to you as you meditate on His word.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 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 father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Luke 1:26-33
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:18-21
The beautiful and joyful news of Jesus’ coming to earth. Through the humility of taking on human form, the creator of the universe made a way for us to know and be with him. Our king stepped away from his heavenly throne to live among us and bring us to himself. And although no human could ever bring about the glory and miracle of Jesus’ birth, God chose to work through His creation to bring about His redemption plan. Through her obedience, God’s favor rested upon Mary and in her willingness to offer herself to God’s will, God came to earth to live among His creation. Immanuel: God with us.
Memorize:
In Psalm 119, the psalmist writes, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, so that I might not sin against you.” In memorizing scripture we place our minds in submission to the Lord. Focusing on God’s word aligns our thoughts with truth and helps us live our lives transformed in the likeness of Christ.
Luke 1:30-33
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 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 father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”