Advent Joy isn’t shallow or sentimental—it is rooted in the appearing of Christ. When Scripture speaks of Christ being manifested, it means that God has made Himself clearly seen, known, and encountered in order to save. “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation…” — Titus 2:11, ESV The Child in the manger is the […]
Where do you long for Christ’s Peace to enter your story this week? Or have you given up hope for that? Perhaps it would be good for you and me to remember Jesus' words about the kind of peace He gives. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the […]
Advent begins with a God who reveals Himself. Before we ever light a candle or sing a hymn, Scripture invites us to behold Jesus—not vaguely or sentimentally—but through the rich descriptions God has carefully woven throughout His Word. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” — John 1:14“The Son is the eternal Word […]
What do you think the artist was trying to show his audience in each person's direction of attention? This painting, Gentile Da Fabriano's Nativity from 1423, and the art study question are included in my updated and expanded Advent devotional, Beyond the Nativity. In it, each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas has […]
Christmas in Graceland...What's It Like? Shopping for Christmas presents is done with joy and a heart to bless instead of sensing it's another task to cross off list of things to do this month. There's time to connect with those I love because I know that's where the delights of Christmas really happen; face to […]
Vasari, Giorgio, The Nativity, c. 1546 Through the incarnation, we are able to see clearly, the Son of God, as our King. And I suppose we should say He has always been King. But the incarnation shows us our King in the flesh and allows us to hear others proclaim it and Himself proclaim it. […]
Tiepolo, Giovanni Battista, Nativity, 1732 Acts 2:22-23, 32-33, 36-38 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus,delivered up according to the definite plan […]
Pierre, Jean-Baptiste-Marie, Nativity Romans 9:3-5 “3. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the […]
Previtali, Andrea, Nativity, 1515-20 1 John 4:1-6 “4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the […]
Lippi, Fra Filippo, Nativity,1467-69 Acts 2:24-32 “24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; […]
Advent Joy isn’t shallow or sentimental—it is rooted in the appearing of Christ. When Scripture speaks of Christ being manifested, it means that God has made Himself clearly seen, known, and encountered in order to save. “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation…” — Titus 2:11, ESV The Child in the manger is the […]
Where do you long for Christ’s Peace to enter your story this week? Or have you given up hope for that? Perhaps it would be good for you and me to remember Jesus' words about the kind of peace He gives. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the […]