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?”
Jesus, you are the light of the world. You chose to become human so that in you I could have life. It is with confidence I read your word and trust you as the light who will guide my path. In you, there is no darkness and because of your great love and sacrifice, I can learn to live like you and bring your light to the world around me. Holy Spirit, you welcomed into every part of my life. Teach me how to live like Jesus and show me where I can join you in bringing light to a broken and weary world today.
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 beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 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. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:1-13
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
Jesus, the Word who became flesh, fulfilled the long-awaited promise of redemption. A light to illuminate and heal a land of darkness and sorrow. It is with joy we who are in Christ live in a reality of a kingdom of light. Our reality does not change when Christmas passes. May the richness of our life with God now, challenge and motivate us to share this hope-filled news. May our joy in Christ be contagious and overflow to everyone around 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.
John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”