Advent 2013: Seeing Christmas Anew

Sunday, December 1 marks the beginning of a new Christian year with Advent, the season of expectant waiting for the arrival of Christ.

Advent is the anglicized translation of adventus which means “coming.” The Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us is not a reality we grasp through slogans or maxims.  Approaching such mystery requires reflection and consideration, “What is God doing here?”

Our theme this Advent is Seeing Christmas Anew.  For 25 days beginning December 1, you are invited to reflect on God’s Advent through the eyes of a wise man, an expectant mother, a first time dad, a business owner, and a moonlight rancher.

What might we “see” as we peer through their eyes upon Christ’s coming?

Each Sunday morning, we will look through their eyes and hear their perspective in worship.  Throughout the week, daily devotional “prompts” will be available here.  We pray you and your household will ponder together how it looks for Christ to arrive anew in you.

Use the box on the right to subscribe by e-mail if you'd like the daily devotions delivered to your inbox each day. If you subscribed for the August Adventure, you will need to do so again to receive the advent devotions.

Day Thirty-One

READ:  Acts 28:11-30

The closing episode of Paul’s adventure includes rich reports of overt hospitality by Jesus-followers as well as a final glimpse of Paul’s incarnational presence.  v14-15

After explaining the kingdom of God from breakfast through dinner, amid both cheers and hissing of his community neighbors, Paul makes a “final” statement about the world around him:

            This people’s heart has grown dull

            Their ears are hard of hearing…

            They have shut their eyes….

Paul concludes with bold insistence:

            The salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles;

            they will listen                                                        Acts 28:28

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As chosen carriers of God’s good news and adventurous couriers of God’s salvific gift, to whom are we next supposed to deliver it?

Invitation:

Describe the ministry of Chestnut Grove in 10 years:

Who are we newly rejuvenated?

How are we discipling people to maturity?

How are we liberating the world?

Day Thirty

READ:  Acts 28:1-10

Paul’s drifting ship crashed upon the shore of the island Malta.  Natives offered warm hospitality. The snake offered a venomous strike. 

Paul’s life was characterized by such dichotomy.

Yet in the ups and downs, he lived as Jesus taught.  Paul visits a sick man, prays for him, and extends a healing touch.  v7-8  This basic gesture inspired “strangers” to become friends. 

An entire village responded to God. 

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What basic act of love will you extend to someone today?

What basic gestures of love might Chestnut Grovians extend to the “strangers” among us?  

 

Invitation:

What sickness, strangeness, or stuckness should we consider beyond God’s desire to “heal?  List the biggest obstacle facing our city.

Day Twenty-Nine

READ:  Acts 27

 After years of trials, floggings, and prison, Paul’s adventure bends toward its final earthly destination: Rome.  A “fair” hearing could reasonably be expected.  Paul was more interested in sharing than fairness. 

Prime sailing season had passed.  Paul’s transport ship was battered by storms, adrift, and lost at sea.  During an acute 14-day tribulation, the sun and stars shone not.  Their orientation and direction were unknowable!

Desperate circumstances led 276 passengers to desperate measures. They lightened the ship’s load, cutting loose anchors and life boats.  With neither anchor nor an escape route, God showed Paul all would end well enough. 

As the crew tossed the last food overboard, Paul led a simple prayer of thanksgiving. 

Next morning, the sun rose over land.

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Does God owe you a fair journey?  Y/N

When crises invade your journey, do you pray?  Y/N 

(If yes, see Romans 8:28 for Paul’s commentary)

My crisis prayers involve words of:

¨  Appeal

¨  Anger

¨  Adoration

¨  Complaint

¨  Frustration

¨  Questioning

¨  Bewilderment

¨  Thanksgiving

In a world of seemingly ceaseless global crises and uncertainty, how should Jesus-followers anchor our prayers?   v35   

Invitation:

Imagine that you get to “keep” only the features of your life for which you thank God today.    Pray thus.

 

 

Day Twenty-Eight

READ:  Acts 24-26

A savy attorney alleged Paul was a religious “troublemaker” and a “ringleader” of the Jesus-followers.   Onlookers concurred.

Before diverse crowds of accusatory people, Paul repeatedly tells his God adventure.   Each time he shares, his style matches his audience.  He speaks with simplicity and directness.

The stunned Emperor Agrippa asks, only half-mocking, “Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?”

Spiritual candor about “justice, self-control, and coming judgment” is surprisingly potent.   Acts 24:25
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How might an outside observer summarize your current role among the Jesus-followers at Chestnut Grove? 

¨  Ringleader

¨  Servant

¨  Consumer

¨  Indifferent observer

If you were on trial for being a Jesus-follower, what evidence would the prosecution present to convict you?  

Invitation:

Ponder Paul’s premise below. Will you join the enduring proclamation?

 

To this day I have had help from God, and so I stand here, testifying to both small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would take place: that the Messiah must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles. 

Acts 26:22-23

 

Day Twenty-Seven

READ:  Acts 22-23

Arrested in Jerusalem as Agabus predicted, Paul recounts his God adventure story to the authorities: the good, the bad, the ugly.  Some Jesus-followers have called this a “testimony.”  

Paul’s good news “testimony” triggered relational strife with a few friends and not a few religious officials. 

The Lord “stood near” Paul through every word.  v23:11

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What challenges are you facing this week?   

How do your life challenges relate to your adventure with God? 

Might God be standing near you, affirming you in the midst of these trials? Y/N

Who might benefit from hearing a candid account of your journey with God, warts and all?   

Invitation:

Paul knew of no distinction between his “faith life” and his “secular life.”  What is the effect creating such a distinction?

Day Twenty-Six

      READ:  Acts 21

Approaching Jerusalem to reunite with fellow Jesus-followers, Paul meets a truth-teller named Agabus.  

His message is grim.  

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What is Paul’s response to Agabus’ warning?  vv12-15

 

Would you “adjust” your itinerary if you received a similar warning?   Y/N   

What gave Paul such fortitude?

¨  Bravery

¨  Religious Masochism

¨  Trustworthy partners

¨  Street savvy

¨  God’s spirit within

¨  Wanderlust

¨  Clear purpose

¨  Family obligations

¨  Well-pulled bootstraps

Invitation:

Ponder today Paul’s words to his younger Jesus-following friend:    for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and love and of self-discipline.                             2 Timothy 1:7