Another year around the Son 12.15.2025
Read Psalm 108, Mark 16:1-8
I texted the group chat, “As we prepare for advent, will you please bring a favorite advent scripture to share?” I really have so many, the evidence are the three Advent books I have written. The cuts and facets of the diamond like brilliancy of Christ’s first advent all catch light in different seasons of life and liturgical calendars. For mine this year I’ll do a whole post and start with Micah:
“As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah – from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.”
Micah 5:2 NET
Jesus Christ makes the insignificant significant. Consider how Luke highlights a sinful woman who poured oil on Christ’s feet in front of Simon the Pharisee. (Luke 7:36-50) Her defiant lack of concern for her actions and how they might be thought of or spoken of by the religious crowd is worth noting. She comes boldly. The one deeply in debt who couldn’t pay the price, the costly price for forgiveness, sees clearly who is before her. Not only can we not afford our own ransom but in Psalm 49:7 NET it clearly says we can’t afford the price for our brother either.
Jesus says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9 NKJV
In the elevated and eternal kingdom of heaven you have one gate, one door, one entrance. Christ. We hear the same invitation come up here. Revelation 4:1 NET
The door to the kingdom is open. And what you will see is Christ enthroned.
The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty;
Psalm 93:1 NIV
Christ incarnate, the word became flesh lived and died, and lives forever to rule as king. I was considering a tree theme for next year, passages of scripture typed on cream cards and tied to the tree with scarlet or burgundy velvet, with little frames of art renditions of Christ as a baby drawn by the masters, or even children, with the words ‘the WORD became flesh’.
As I was thinking about filling books with advent reflections I asked a question. Did Jesus ever speak of his birth?
Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, ” You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” John 18:37 NET
This is the only recorded time in the gospels Jesus spoke of His birth.
Today I would sing three Christmas songs perhaps Oh little town of Bethlehem and then the french song, Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes. As for the third I’m open to suggestions. The second I’m sure you have sung it:
Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
The Father said it himself on a mountain, “This is My Son,
My Chosen One. Listen to Him!” Lk. 9:35
Jesus came into the world to save it. Jn. 3:17
His birth place foretold by the minor prophet Micah. Micah means ‘who is like our God’ aptly named eh?!
When goodwill comes for the sons and daughters of God no one can stop HIM.
Jesus’ humble birth (for a king) made the insignificant Bethlehem famous for thousands of years and more to come! What can he do in your life and mine?
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! John, the disciple who out ran Peter to the tomb.
Here is a sugar cookie recipe:
1 package butter (1c.)
200 g. sugar
360 g. flour
1 T oatmilk/almond
44 ml egg or egg substitue
3/4 t baking powder
1/4 t. salt
dash of almond/vanilla extract
chill dough 2 hours min
roll on powdered sugar, cut into small bite size cookie shapes
Bake 375 7-9 min
Decorate with either powdered sugar or your favorite frosting and sprinkles.
