Advent Family Devotions Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Royal Baby Watch

Opening Prayer:

Lord God, we know that Christmas is coming soon and we thank You for this exiting time of year. Help us to watch, wait and celebrate as Christ comes to us, in His name we pray, Amen.

Bible Reading:  Zechariah 9.9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

     A little over one year ago much of the world watched as Prince William married Kate Middleton. It was announced today that Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is now 86 years old. At her death, or if she desires to step down, her son Prince Charles is in line to become King. Many suspect that Charles will never serve as king due to his divorce and subsequent second marriage. This puts Prince William, the son of Charles and Dianna as the virtual next in line for the throne. After his reign as King ends the first born child of William and Kate will ascend to the throne. Recent changes to English law have removed the preference of male heirs, so when Kate and William have a child, that child will one day be the king or queen of England. So, the royal baby watch is on. The world watched and waited when Princess Dianna gave birth to William, and the world is watching and waiting for William and Kate to have their first child.

     Watching and waiting are important themes in the Advent season. The word advent comes from the Latin and means to come, or to come near, and perhaps more to the point he comes or he is coming. In advent we watch and wait for Jesus to come. Much of our preparation focuses on our celebration of His first coming as a babe in Bethlehem just over 2000 years ago. Children especially are watching and waiting for Christmas to come. Many of the Scripture readings during this season urge us to watch and wait for Christ to come again as judge and king. Pastors, Lutheran school teachers, and these devotions encourage us to watch, wait and celebrate how Christ comes to us now in God’s Word and in with and under the water of Holy Baptism and the bread and wine of Holy Communion.

     In Advent, at Christmas, and at all times Jesus comes to us and He will come again at the last day. Long ago Zechariah prophesied His coming to bring salvation through His own perfect righteousness. And unlike the royals of our day, or even of Jesus’ day, He comes humbly - riding on a donkey. The fulfillment of this prophesy on Palm Sunday reminds us that this king whose birth we prepare to celebrate had only one crown – a crown of thorns.  Jesus came to die for our sins. His gift of forgiveness inspires our giving and His humble service is a model for our living.

For Discussion:

1.  Roman officials and other leaders rode horses or were ushered in by chariots. How does Jesus riding on a donkey reflect on what kind of king He is?

2.  What are some things you can do to serve others, especially in this festive season?

3.  Many families pray “Come Lord Jesus be our guest, “ as their pre-meal prayer. What do we mean when we pray this and what difference does it make when we invite Jesus to dinner?

Prayer:

Come Lord Jesus be with us as we prepare to celebrate your birth and as we look forward to Your coming again as judge and king. Help us to keep You as the center of our Christmas and use us to help others know the reason for the season. In your holy name we pray, Amen.

Hymn: "Come, O Long-Expected Jesus"

Click here for melody.

Come, O long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Your people free;
From our fears and sins release us
By Your death on Calvary.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope to all the earth impart,
Dear desire of ev’ry nation,
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.

Born Your people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a king;
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Your gracious kingdom bring.
By Your own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Your all sufficient merit
Raise us to Your glorious throne.

Submitted by James F. Ritter

Advent Family Devotions for Monday, December 3, 2012

The Emperor Trajan Arriving (Adventus)

Opening Prayer:  
Dear Lord, thank You for this day and for coming to us as our King. Amen.

Scripture:  Luke 19.28-40
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it? ’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it. ’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives— the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Meditation:  
A long time ago Roman rulers would come to cities in their empire.  When the city officials learned the ruler was coming they wouldn't just wait in the city for him to arrive.  They would go outside the city with a crowd of people and meet the ruler as he was approaching. They would then escort the ruler to the city where he would be greeted by more crowds of cheering people.  The Latin name for this event was "adventus."  

In our Scripture lesson today we see that something like that happened to Jesus.  Crowds of people met Him and accompanied Him to the city of Jerusalem.  They cut down palm branches and even threw their coats on the road in front of Him.  They were very happy to see Him.  

But Jesus didn't come like one of those rulers.  He had no army, and He rode no horse.  Jesus came or made His "advent"  in humility. Just as Jesus was came into this world among the farm animals at Bethlehem, so He would approach the end of His earthly life with a farm animal nearby - a donkey.  

Jesus wasn't just another great earthly ruler.  He was God's Son, who lowered Himself to come into our world in order to lift us up to His.

For Discussion: 
How do we get ready in our homes when special people come to visit?  How can we get ready to celebrate Christmas and Jesus' special visit?  

Closing Prayer:  

Dear Jesus, Thank You for coming to save us. Thank You for being a king like no other. Although You are the highest, You became the lowest for us.  Amen.

Hymn:  In a Little Stable

Click here for the melody.

1. In a little stable
Far across the sea
Was a little Baby
Just like you and me.

2. A bed or cradle,
Not a pillow deep,
But a lowly manger
Was His place to sleep.

3. Shepherds stood around Him,
Angels watched with care,
For this Babe was Jesus,
Lying, smiling there.

4. Oh, I love this Jesus,
Who was little then.
For He surely loves me,
Little though I am.