Arrival: Day 16

December 16, 2018

“Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end,”- Isaiah 9:7a

My heart has wandered in 1,000,001 different ways this Advent season. Everything around me feels so foreign and everything inside of me wants to hide from what surrounds me. I’ve tried to reconcile the world I am living in and the final Home that I am walking towards but it just will not work. I’ve forgotten what Peace feels like because I’m too busy trying to conjure up my own things that I think will give me comfort. And I’ve forgotten that the peace I’m searching for isn’t an “it” instead Peace is a person. 

Jesus is the Creator of Peace. That tiny baby, even as Mary carried him close to herself, was sustaining her very breath and supplying her with peace. And to this very day He gives Himself and his peace so freely to us. I do not think we have “missed the meaning of Christmas.” I think instead we have intentionally overlooked the manger in hopes of something even more satisfying when in reality only He can satisfy our every longing. His Peace shall never end, no matter how long I keep asking Him for it or seeking more of it, it will simply never run out. 

Arrival: Day 15

December 15, 2018

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shone.” – Isaiah 9:2

            I know what it feels like to walk in a land where people dwell in darkness. It’s a hidden darkness, one that the normal eye would never recognize. But the eyes that the Spirit gives to me as a daughter of the King recognize it. It’s in the people next to me on the train, it slinks through families ripping them apart, it resides in the deepest places of their minds and whispers “none of this has any meaning.” The darkness is not palpable in this land that I’m in. It’s rampant. And I sit here and think of the world before Jesus entered into all of this mess and I think I have maybe a tiny glimpse of what it was like. 

            Yet, even in this darkness He gives us glimpses of this light. He sets His children in specific places at specific times to be beacons for His name, and those that are seeking are drawn to that light. This Christmas, no matter what darkness we may be walking through, the Promised Savior has defeated it once and for all. We have seen His great light and that is what pushes us through this momentary darkness. That Bethlehem night was proof that even the darkest and lowliest of places are still infiltrated by the infinite and glorious light of our God. 

         

Arrival: Day 14

December 14, 2018

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 

The strange contrast in Isaiah’s words should make us stop. Here we are presented with this baby, which will reign over governments. We have a child who is a wonderful counselor, a mighty God. How can this be so? This is the beauty of the majesty of God. He is still and everlasting Father and a baby come to Bethlehem all at once. He gives counsel yet He sits in the lap of his mother. But my favorite is that this child is the Prince of Peace. A Prince has the power to give or hold back anything in His kingdom. Yet this baby comes and offers infinite peace. This Advent season I want to hide behind the manger as I feel his peace wrap around me. I want my cares to be not those of my circumstances or trials, but instead only to seek Him and His glory. I want to hide behind His wonderful counsel and His mighty hand. I pray that I don’t only see a baby but that I see the One True God wrapped in the swaddling cloth and lying in a manger. His Peace is unending and He reigns forever and for some reason He loves me. 

Arrival: Day 13

December 13, 2018

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

Why a baby? Why would God choose to use the littlest and helpless of creation to display His glory? To display himself? I think often, especially in our current society, we are constantly seeking bigger and better. As if the only way to experience true joy is to have the best of everything. Yet even the Creator didn’t have the best. In fact He had what we would call the worst. A smelly stable, no real bed, and a soon-to-be exile on the run from Herod. This Christmas season, I wonder if maybe my heart desires the best instead of Bethlehem? I wonder if I would be comfortable with just some hay to lay on as long as I’m next to my Savior? I wonder if I think I deserve the Jesus who comes with a sword at the end before I spend time at His manger and appreciate that He did come as a baby. 

The beauty of this perfect baby being born through an imperfect woman gives us hope.

Hope that even the filthiest of our sins and the filthiest of places didn’t stop Him from coming and it did not change His glory and goodness. I pray that I would desire Bethlehem this Christmas and all that comes with it, if only to glimpse my Savior. 

Arrival: Day 12

December 12, 2018

“And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

Luke 1:46-49 

The holiday season has a way of bringing out many emotions within us that we may not even know we are capable of. I find myself feeling entitled often around the Christmas season. Entitled to my idea of what my holiday season should look like, and if it doesn’t turn out the way I envisioned I become angry! Entitlement is an evil thing stemming from a root of selfishness even though I don’t want to admit it my heart has been tangled up with it a lot lately. 

Mary’s heart holds no entitlement but rather she has given her title away. Instead the only thing she calls herself is a “humble servant.” And she voices the most beautiful part of her story, the fact that the God of the universe, the one who made the moon and stars, looked upon her. She realizes how unworthy she is of this calling but she also recognizes the overwhelming Grace shown to her as God HAS chosen her for this! There is no selfishness in her heart, no feelings of entitlement, but instead she has given all of herself for His glory no matter the outcome. 

This Christmas season, I hope to release all of my feelings of entitlement and selfishness. Because God doesn’t look graciously upon them. Instead His face is turned towards the ones who come before his throne offering nothing except their whole life. Loving Christ with your heart, soul, mind, and strength means keeping nothing back from Him and realizing that He has looked upon us, his humble and undeserving servants, and said “I love you, all of you, even the unlovable pieces.” 

Arrival: Day 11

December 11, 2018

“The splendor light of heaven’s glorious sunrise is about to break upon us in holy visitation, all because the merciful heart of our God is so very tender. The word from heaven will come to us with dazzling light to shine upon those who live in darkness, near death’s dark shadow. And he will illuminate the path that leads to the way of peace.””

Luke 1:78-79 TPT

For most of the world the night before the birth of Christ was one filled with complete darkness and no reason for hope. But for a few that were privileged to know of about this promised baby to come, real LIVING Hope was so close they could almost touch it. Actually they would soon touch Him. Hope in physical form!  Zechariah’s words bring to light just how powerful this baby was. This child would bring forth a light that this groaning earth hadn’t experienced since before the Fall. God’s tender heart sent a baby. He could have sent a regal king that exudes majesty with every glance, instead the first glances this baby received were from shepherds and whoever (or whatever) else was in that stable. God’s tender heart sent Himself in a form that we could ALL understand because we all once were babies ourselves. He sent Himself in an unassuming form, in a lowly form, in the form that no one expected but that He had planned from the beginning. And the promise this baby brought was one that every soul since the Fall waited for, maybe even without knowing it. He was here to not just diminish darkness but to put it to death and instead to shine such a light that all people would see is peace. That night before the birth was filled with darkness but once the tender heart of God entered this world through the WORD in flesh... darkness fled. 

Arrival: Day 10

December 10, 2018

“Powerful princes he tears from their thrones and he lifts up the lowly to take their place. Those who hunger for him will always be 

filled, but the smug and self-satisfied he will send away empty.”

Luke 1:52-53

Mary’s heart cry is not from someone terrified of what God has called her to, but instead COURAGEOUS in the God who has called her. This girl knows that no matter the outcome, the hunger she has for her Lord will always be satisfied. This God is worthy of her trust and this Baby inside of her will bring salvation. My heart cry is often that of pity and shame. My heart cries more for my needs than the needs of those around me. And most days my heart is shut off to anything or anyone, even the Creator, and is only focused on my selfish ways. 

The Good News frees us from selfishness and allows us to rejoice in this God who takes our lowly self and raises us to the levels of royalty. The Good News declares that our hunger will always, always, always be satisfied when we hunger for Him. The Good News is that the Prince of Peace has come and has begun to make all things NEW, even my selfish heart. 

Arrival: Day 9

December 9, 2018

“The weary world rejoices...” 

We all know the feeling of being weary. It comes at the worst times and usually manifests itself in the worst of ways. It’s when you’re sitting there with your head between your knees watching as the tears fall heavy on the floor and you beg God to just help you get through this day. Or it’s when you’re gathered in a room full of people, supposedly celebrating this holiday full of joy and cheer, but instead feeling as if there’s anywhere you’d rather be than HERE. Often times we do not recognize the weariness coming until we are drowning with no sense of up or down and no way to break through the waters. 

So how do we rejoice? What makes a weary world and my weary heart rejoice? 

GLORY. 

Nothing else but the sheer glory of a baby who was born in the weariest of places to the weary laden world. The baby who brought peace and redemption and everything that our hearts have been craving since the Fall. That tiny heartbeat gave my heart new life and and a reason to rejoice. 

So through my weariness I will rejoice because this is only temporal. BECAUSE of my weariness I will rejoice, for without trials I would never lean into His strong arms. This is only a stop before Glory and THAT is where weariness will be washed away and every single soul will rejoice forever and ever. 

Arrival: Day 8

 

December 8, 2018

“And her husband Joseph, being just a man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.”- Matthew 1:19

         I cannot imagine the confusion Joseph experienced upon hearing Mary’s news. Every expectation he once had was crushed and this shocking news had turned his entire world upside down. This man who was from the House of David knew that a Messiah was to come, but how was he to know this is the way He would come? He was a righteous man, knowing that the next step was to divorce this girl whom had turned his world on its edge. The only way for this mess to become a miracle was for the Creator to intervene. Just as it seems that all hope was lost, an angel comes to Joseph and gives him the promise that this boy that Joseph was to raise would save the world from their sins. 

            There are so many expectations we all have going into the holidays. Maybe we expect our families to be kinder, our relationships to be mended, or the grief of that empty seat at the table to not be as strong as it was last year. And yet we come to December 26^thand realize that none of those expectations were met. Why? Why do we feel more sadness and shock than happiness and joy? Maybe because our joy is not in the one who saved us from our sins. God intervenes in the holiday season if we give Him room to do that, but more often than not we take it into our own hands striving for a “perfect Christmas” to make up for all of the imperfection around us. This cannot be. Our joy has to come from Him and Him alone. Then our only expectation will be to feel HIS JOY and that expectation will always be met. 

Arrival: Day 7

December 7, 2018

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.- Luke 1:38

            I love Mary’s heart. I find myself envious of her reaction to the Lord’s call. She says simply that whatever the Creator wishes to do, she would allow. Lately my heart has been in very many different places and I think that is probably common amongst most of us during the holiday season. We barely have time to breathe because of everything swirling around us. But Mary stopped before her mind could rationalize itself out of this mysterious encounter and she said “I am your servant, do as you wish.” 

            Before my feet touch the ground in the morning those words should be on my mouth too. “Lord, whatever you wish to do through me today please do it. I’m here for you and only you.”  This is what it looks like to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. We have to be willing to let Him move us and use us in whatever way He wishes, because we are simply here to be His hands and feet. And His word and promises will be fulfilled if we forego any plans and desires we’ve been holding onto this season. Our expectations and journey to find joy in meaningless things will not compare to watching His word be fulfilled right in front of our eyes! So let’s come humbly before Him today and echo Mary, because that’s where our joy will be found... in letting Him be glorified through us. 

Arrival: Day 6

December 6, 2018

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,”

1 Peter 1:8

I imagine the hearts of Mary and Joseph were saturated with expectation to finally meet this miracle child. But I’m sure their expectation and excitement was often squelched by the sheer immensity of this situation and everything that comes with it. Yet, they looked ahead to when the child would finally come, not quite sure what to expect but knowing that He would bring salvation to their people. Their human minds probably could not fully wrap around what Jesus would ultimately do. But to have this Christ, who was promised for years, so close to them I’m sure they were filled with a joy like no other. 

Similarly, while we weren’t chosen to bear and raise the Messiah, we do have His Spirit living inside of us. He’s not only NEAR us but He is WITHIN us. As a result there is a joy that overflows from His spirit and it stands in contrast to the plights of this sinful world. So while this holiday season may bring grief, sadness, anger, or even apathy we can rest assured that our joy is not dependent on the holidays. And our joy is not dependent upon our family, friends, or even ourselves. Even though we cannot see Him we “rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.” The time is coming near when we will finally see Him face to face, but until that day I pray that I will find my joy in His presence and rejoice that it never has to end. 

Arrival: Day 5

December 5, 2018

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.  And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. “And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

         Recently I have found myself in Zechariah’s shoes with his mindset. Imagine this scene: Zechariah is standing before the altar of God and suddenly an angel appears and gives him a calling and a promise all in one. The promise is for a baby in his old age and the calling is to raise up this baby to become the one to prepare the way for the Christ. Who wouldn’t be terrified? How should a man react to this sort of news? How am I supposed to react as I feel the weight of the calling placed upon my life? How are you to react with the calling placed upon yours?

            This morning as I read this passage again, I realized my unbelief resembles Zechariah’s. Obviously, my life and calling are completely different from his. However, I think that when the Creator asks us to follow Him and to do what He has planned it is hard to not doubt that He will do what He promises to do. This is the place he has found himself in. He sees the angel and he knows that what the angel declares is what will happen. Yet his humanity takes over and he looks too far into the future instead of focusing on the present. God’s promise will be fulfilled and the calling He places upon Zechariah and Elizabeth’s life is accomplished but not without doubt. 

            As I realize yet again what the Father has called me to I’m begging him to help me with my doubt. Will I be able to do this? Will I accomplish what he has asked of me without failing? My prayer is this: instead of having to wait in quietness to see His promises fulfilled I want to continually walk to His throne and lay myself and my doubts at his feet, knowing that I am no longer waiting on my Savior to arrive. He is here with me now! 

Arrival Day 4

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."- Micah 5:2

The first few moments of my time spent in the city of Bethlehem were nothing short of underwhelming. I’m not sure what I expected, but there had to be more than THIS. We saw a church located above what some think is the place that the Christ child was born. But when I laid my eyes upon that “spot” I realized the truth behind this verse in Malachi.

There is nothing special about this city, nothing unique about the spot where Jesus was born. However, this baby was a born ruler. He was there when the foundations of the earth were laid. He was present when Adam and Eve fell from perfect communion with their King and He will be there in the end receiving all glory, honor, and praise due His name. This baby’s birth was planned from the “days of eternity.” And this city, although it was nothing special or even remotely worthy of His birth place, it was still used to glorify the Name above all names.

So while our hearts might resemble that town of Bethlehem, may we offer every piece of them up to Him in surrender. We may not accomplish much in our time here on earth but I pray that we bring every second to His throne and follow the One who created time itself.

 This tiny baby to be born in that humble city is the one who rules the universe. And this baby who would ultimately save us from our sins deserves all of us. Allow the glory of His coming, which was planned from the beginning, to capture your soul today. Let your Bethlehem-heart be open and willing to welcome Him in, however He chooses to show up. 

Arrival: Day 3

 December 3, 2018

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).”- Matthew1:22-23

The woman who first fell prey to the schemes of the enemy in Genesis felt the heavy weight of her sins immediately. And I’m sure the woman who would give birth to Immanuel felt the weight of her sin immediately after this news was delivered to her. There’s something beautiful about the brokenness of a human being carrying the God-man inside of her. This baby that would come forth from her would bring restoration to all that had been brought forth from the actions of the first woman. The story has come full circle, Immanuel is finally on His way! 

I love how Mary pondered everything within her heart (Luke 2:19). There must have been so many emotions, difficulties, and trials constantly surrounding her; yet, she took all of this to the secret place in her heart where only God could hear. As I walk through this Advent season, and the world swirls about me in so many directions I pray that I can remember Immanuel has come! He is God with ME! His present and overwhelming love surrounds me. And so, I’ll take all of these chaotic yet grace-filled moments through the next few weeks and store them up in the secret place of my heart where He alone hears and understands.

Arrival: Day 2

December 2, 2018

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”- Genesis 3:15

         I barely want to try and imagine this moment. The moment when sin crept in and the created ones realized they were now separated from him. That moment when lying and blaming came as second nature instead of communing and walking with the Creator in his garden. How hopeless! Yet before the sentence ends the Creator speaks words of hope. Where, just sometime before, His words created all that Adam and Eve see, now His voice is declaring something to come. Something to hope for! The Messiah is mentioned right after the separation between man and God happens. The promise of the enemy being crushed brings hope. The separation that Adam and Eve felt, we no longer have to take part in. We have access to this One who crushes the head of the enemy. We have a hope! He is coming again and this time the head of the enemy will not only be crushed but he will be destroyed forever. As we look back on this separation we all once experienced, let’s thank the Father for calling us out of the dominion of darkness and into the Kingdom of His Son... the Kingdom that has no end and will never fail. As I wait to meet this King of Kings I remember the words spoken by Paul:

"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."- Romans 8:24-25

Unlike those in the Old Testament, we are no longer waiting for salvation! We have access to His throne now! Instead, we wait to see Him face to face. We hope for His ultimate redemption!