'Advent' Tagged Posts (Page 7)
A Strange Turn Of Phrase
A Strange Turn Of Phrase Daily Devotion for Advent | Thursday, December 6, 2018 … And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah … (Matthew 1:6b) “By the wife of Uriah.” Why not just call her by name—Bathsheba? Why use a description instead? For that matter, why not just write “David was the father of Solomon” and end the statement there, as with most of the other steps in this genealogy? Why even bring up the…
A Long Time Coming
A Long Time Coming Daily Devotion for Advent | Wednesday, December 5, 2018 Abraham was the father of Isaac … (Matthew 1:2a) “Abraham was the father of Isaac …” If there’s one verse in the New Testament Abraham would have loved to read ahead of time, it’s probably this one. God reached out to a childless man in the ancient Middle East and promised, “I will make of you a great nation” (Genesis 12:2-3). God kept that promise when Isaac…
Who Cares?
Who Cares? Daily Devotion for Advent | Tuesday, December 4, 2018 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1) The book of Matthew starts with an odd choice of subject matter—42 generations of Jesus’ genealogy, all the way back to Abraham. Some people find this fascinating. Other people are probably yawning and saying under their breath, “Who cares?” Apparently, God cares. God cares enough to give us a list of…
Enemies
Enemies Daily Devotion for Advent | Monday, December 3, 2018 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. (Genesis 3:15) Can being enemies ever be a good thing? Normally my answer would be “No.” We learn even as children that it’s not good to be enemies with other people. Our parents tell us, “Say you’re sorry,” and “Be nice and…
Accomplished Among Us
Accomplished Among Us Daily Devotion for Advent | Sunday, December 2, 2018 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us (Luke 1:1) Luke is a very methodical man. He does his research, and he talks to eyewitnesses. And he pins down dates and places and people in great detail. As far as Luke is concerned, there is no such thing as being too careful where the story of Jesus is…
What Child Is This?
From the Desk of Pastor Mech Prepare to share glad tidings of comfort and joy, of a Savior who has been born to us, who is Christ, the Lord! Our Advent and Christmas focus will be shaped by a familiar Christmas hymn. The author of the series, Rev. Ralph Tausz, provides the context: The birth of a certain child two thousand years ago in Bethlehem prompted a poet in the nineteenth century to ask a very un common question in…