Advent readings are something we do each year.
It is a devotional that is created by members of our congregation and read each Sunday during the advent season.
Scripture Reading
John 1:1, 14, 16-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth … For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
2 Corinthians 3:12-18
Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away … And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.
Devotional Reading
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” For years, the people of God had walked in darkness. Now the Word had come, and John the Baptist was sent to bear witness to his light.
But the world did not know him. John the Baptist was given grace to see what no one else could see at that time—the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
When we drive past a beautiful display of Christmas lights, we tell our children, “Look!” We can’t keep a beautiful sunset to ourselves, either; we point it out to our friends. We say to one another, “Come and see!” Beauty and glory are compelling. We can’t help but call others to share in our joy.
When John saw Jesus, he couldn’t keep the glory to himself. Even in the womb, he leapt with joy to bear witness to the beauty of the Savior. It was a burden, a weight of glory he couldn’t contain. When he saw Jesus the man, he called out, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
In Advent, we sing the hymn, “O Come, Let Us Adore Him,” because this is the response of those who have seen glory and want others to share it with them.
If we are in Christ, the veil has been lifted from our eyes. Let us ask him to reveal himself all the more, so that we will bear witness to the light as we overflow with joy inexpressible and filled with glory.
Prayer
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1)
You have set your love upon us, Lord, but we confess that we have loved the world and the things of the world.
Have mercy upon us, Lord, and forgive our sin. Order our desires rightly. Open our eyes to see your glory, open our hearts to receive your life, open our mouths to sing your praise.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
The darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. (1 John 2:8). Fill us with joy in your presence, Lord. Let us bear witness to the light, that the world may see and rejoice in you.
