Advent Devotional: Dec 16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 | 2 Samuel 7:18-22 | Galatians 4:1-7
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:4-6)
Christians believe something very peculiar about who God is. We believe God is one God, but that the one God exists (and has always existed) as three separate people: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - the Holy Trinity. Even more strange, we believe that God the Son, who has always existed, entered into our world as the God-man. Jesus is completely human, but also completely God. We call this the incarnation.
This is the miracle of Christmas. We are preparing to celebrate the arrival of an amazing mystery: Christ with us. God in human flesh. We are also preparing for his return. God will live among us again! When God makes his dwelling place on earth, he will wipe every tear. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). The blind will receive sight, the lame will walk, those who are sick will be well, the deaf will hear, the dead will be raised, and the good news will be proclaimed to the poor (Matthew 11:5).
In response to this, I invite you to pray this prayer written by Saint Angela of Foligno hundreds of years ago:
O Lord Jesus Christ, make me worthy to understand the profound mystery of your holy incarnation, which you have worked for our sake and for our salvation. Truly there is nothing so great and wonderful as this, that you, my God, who are the creator of all things, should become a creature, so that we should become like God.
You have humbled yourself and made yourself small that we might be made mighty. You have taken the form of a servant, so that you might confer upon us a royal and divine beauty. You, who are beyond our understanding, have made yourself understandable to us in Jesus Christ. You, who are the uncreated God, have made yourself a creature for us. You, who are the untouchable One, have made yourself touchable to us. You, who are most high, make us capable of understanding your amazing love and the wonderful things you have done for us.
Make us able to understand the mystery of your incarnation, the mystery of your life, example, and doctrine, the mystery of your cross and passion, the mystery of your resurrection and ascension. Blessed are you, O Lord, for coming to earth as a man. Amen.
Reflection questions: How do you celebrate the incarnation? What do you do on Christmas day to remember and acknowledge the birth of Jesus?
Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary
Scripture taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica, Inc.
Incarnation Prayer from Complete Works, by Saint Angela of Folingo
Reflections by Rev. Serena J. Wolfe
