December 2, 2024
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Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Advent 2024 – Day 2 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Birth and Childhood of Jesus
Read Sections 1.5 through 1.9 (pages 8-12)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
Advent Day 2
The Life of Jesus 1.1-1.9
The birth of Jesus. As God uses Caesar Augustus to carry out his plan at the perfect time in history. He has no clue. Jesus to be born in Bethlehem to fulfill prophecy. Micah 5:2? And how many prophecies that Jesus would be born in the line of David. So there’s no place for Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem. Jesus is born in a cave. What messages in that? The king of kings born homeless in a stable. Hard to imagine. The Shepard’s were perfect as the first missionaries. Hard working un prideful Imagine hearing those words. Today a savior has been born unto you he is Christ the lord. No better words ever spoken. When you receive the Holy Spirit !! Imagine hearing a host of angels. Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest. At that I would have jumped out of my skin. So they ran to see the baby Jesus then ran and told all they knew. We should have that excitement. Mary certainly overwhelmed. And the shepherds returned. Couldn’t get enough of the truth they had discovered
Advent Day 2
Advent day 2
68 “Praise to the Lord God of Israel.
He has come to help his people
and has given them freedom.
69 He has given us a powerful Savior
from the family of his servant David.
70 This is what he promised
through his holy prophets long ago…
…
78 “With the loving mercy of our God,
a new day[b] from heaven will shine on us.
79 It will bring light to those who live in darkness, in the fear of death.
It will guide us into the way that brings peace.”
Zechariah prophesies the “missions” of John and Jesus, before Jesus performed miracles or died for the remission of sins, before John saw Jesus and said “behold the lamb who takes away the sin of the world.” Zechariah proclaims Jesus as savior, Dayspring, light, and the path of peace.
”“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”“
Luke 1:76-79 NKJV
Day 1-2-3.. getting caught up. Grateful to be reading along with fellow worshippers.
What an amazing woman Mary was and this is seen in what she says about what God is doing through her. She is humbled by it and yet recognizes the magnitude of what God is doing and the plan that is unfolding. Her statements show a knowledge of Scripture and an affirmation that God often uses the lowly of the world to accomplish His plan. I was amazed to see that the announcement to Joseph is not included in this book nor is His genealogy. Maybe I missed something, but he was an amazing man as well. And God was not only doing something in Nazareth, but also in Judea in the miraculous things happening around the birth of John the Baptist. It is interesting that Zechariah can only speak after he affirms that the baby will be called John. And wow does he reveal the depth and majesty of what God is doing both through John and Jesus. He was moved by the Spirit to say what he does. And the glory of God is revealed both in using the plans of a human ruler to get Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and the way the angels announce His birth to the shepherds. How fitting that those invited to see the humble and lowly birth of the Son of God are equally lowly shepherds caring for sheep in the fields. It shows further the kind of God our creator is and how faith and humility are far more important to Him than human position or ability. He welcomes anyone to see His Son and worship Him.
“He raised up the humble people”! God uses everyday people to complete His plans. An old couple, a virgin girl, and shepherds. God can and will use anyone for His glory but we must be of humble spirit, open and ready to be used.
And how awesome that Zechariah’s first words were praise! He recognized the power of the situation he was in. He recognized the great work God was doing and would do through his son, John, and through Jesus. Just as the shepherds recognized that was no ordinary night! Once again a reminder that it may be scary and outside our comfort zone to follow God when He calls but we should not be afraid for He is always with us.
What Mary and Zechariah say under the leading of the Holy Spirit brings peace to our hearts. God is merciful, powerful, trustworthy, and dependable. He always does what he promises, he guides us into the way that brings peace and he gives light to those who live in darkness.