Always Christmas, Never Winter
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY, December 24
Isaiah 62:6-12
In the world of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia, the beloved faun Mr. Tumnus says it is “always winter, but never Christmas” under the reign of the evil White Witch. As a southern Californian now living in southern Alaska, I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Isaiah writes to a people who have been taken captive from their homeland to the foreign Assyria. The Israelites turned away from God, and they reaped the consequences of their disobedience. Alone, hopeless, and oppressed, they perhaps felt they would always be in captivity, but never the promised land.
Yet in the midst of this captivity, Isaiah daringly declares that there will be a day when the enemy never again oppresses them, a day when they will be called the Redeemed of the Lord. In the midst of your own spiritual winter, may you be reminded that the Lord declares to you one day, it will be always Christmas, but never winter.
Jesus, please give me hope for today and tomorrow. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: THE GRACE TO LIVE WITH HUMILITY AND GENEROSITY
Suffering Servant
MONDAY, December 25
Luke 2:1-7
On average, a woman’s first delivery in childbirth is between 12 and 24 hours long. I endured a whopping 18-hour labor for my first baby. As I write this, I am five months into carrying my fourth child. I empathize greatly with Mary’s labor struggles so many centuries ago. The process of giving birth to a child is agonizingly painful, messy, and incredibly vulnerable—yet it is through the faithful suffering of Mary’s first birth that we may now experience the new birth. It is through the rending of flesh and blood in childbirth that we may now receive the flesh and blood of Christ. And it is through the deep cry of labor pains that the deep cry of our sin and separation from God has been eternally silenced through the birth of baby Jesus—the tiny Savior and Light of the world. Like Mary, we sigh a great sigh of relief knowing that indeed, it is finished. Merry Christmas!
Father, thank you that I am born again because of Christ. AMEN.
Reese’s Good News
TUESDAY, December 26
Luke 2:8-20
The municipality of Capas, Tarlac (Philippines), was my home for three months during a pastoral internship program. As an American-born Filipina, I noticed children following me around, speculating as to why this foreigner who looked suspiciously like them was wandering around their barangay (village). Families graciously offered me merienda (afternoon snacks), such as turon (fried banana rolls) and bibinka (rice cakes). The children’s suspicion of me turned into delight after I reciprocated their hospitality with colorful presents of American candy. They ran around testifying to their friends about the wonderfully good news of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Luke records that the shepherds were understandably terrified when foreign angels proclaimed to them the good news of a Savior born in Bethlehem. Yet after they saw the long-awaited newborn Messiah for themselves, the shepherds turned to praise and told everyone the good news of the promised One. Experience of our Savior, not simply knowledge of him, results in tremendous joy and passionate testimony.
Holy Spirit, let me experience your presence today. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: PRAISE GOD FOR THE GIFT OF HIS SON
Beauty and Terror
WEDNESDAY, December 27
Psalm 97
One day when I was a college student in southwestern Kansas, the tornado alarm went off—for real this time. I did not hide in the basement as instructed but instead ran outside into a powerful gale with several other curious students, gazing up into the darkened sky. The thunderclouds encircled us, forming a frighteningly massive tornado funnel overhead as we stood awestruck, utterly enthralled by the all-encompassing beauty and terror of this natural disaster. I will never forget the sheer power of it.
The psalmist characterizes God’s glorious attributes of righteousness and justice as both beautiful and terrible: clouds and thick darkness surround him, fire goes before him and consumes his enemies, and his lightning illuminates a trembling world (vv. 2-4). Simultaneously, light shines on his people, the righteous from whom praise and rejoicing erupts at seeing the Lord’s justice in action (vv. 11-12). We must remember that while God is not safe, he is good (C.S. Lewis).
King of kings, give me holy fear and wonder at the glory of your name. AMEN.
Moose Soup
THURSDAY, December 28
Titus 3:4-7
As a young pastor serving in my first call at Alaska Christian College, I was afraid of not being accepted by my Alaska Native students. Yet within months, they began excitedly sharing all kinds of favorite foods with me: moose soup, akutaq (sugared berries and fat), dried fish, seal oil, and even the prized muktuk (whale). With cash-strapped college students sharing precious limited stores of their food, I felt especially welcomed despite having done very little to merit such undeserved kindness.
In greater measure, the kindness and love of God revealed in salvation was not a result of anything we had done, but because of his great mercy toward us (v. 4). Paul writes, “He saved us,” twice, emphasizing God’s divine initiation in his act of redemption. He indeed saved us—and for what end? To be filled with the Spirit and to be heirs. These unmerited gifts are ours to behold in Christ.
Loving God, thank you for your geat kindness in saving me. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: CELEBRATE GOD’S GIFT
Weaving Superiority
FRIDAY, December 29
Matthew 20:1-16
My favorite Greek myth is that of Athena and Arachne. Arachne, a renowned weaver, publicly boasts that she is more skilled than Athena, the patron goddess of weaving. Upon hearing this, Athena challenges her to a weaving competition to prove who is best. While on the looms, Arachne continues boasting. Jealous of Arachne’s work, Athena angrily turns her into a spider to forever weave her webs in silence. Spiders are now classified as arachnids, so named after the boastful weaver.
The author of Hebrews exalted Christ not only as superior over the angels, whom the Jewish people held in high regard, but over the entire Old Covenant; in other words, “Christ is better than them all and I can prove it!” The author references five Old Testament passages as evidence that not only is Christ above the angels, but he is indeed worthy to be worshiped—for he is God himself. Christ reigns supreme over all creation, including ourselves.
Sovereign Lord, may you be superior in all areas of my life. AMEN.
Grandma Sandra
SATURDAY, December 30
Hebrews 3:1-6
While serving as a hospital chaplain, I met Grandma Sandra. She had several tubes coming out of her, wincing whenever she moved. Sandra, however, was not in spiritual distress; joyful in the Lord, she wanted prayer for her husband, instead. Even as a Christian, I was baffled. I asked her how she could be so joyful in so much suffering. She smiled, saying, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, baby. He’s been faithful to me since I was a little girl. Only a little while now, we’ll see Him soon.” We held hands and sang her favorite hymn together, Amazing Grace. Two days later, she passed away. The author of Hebrews writes that because Christ suffered when tempted, He is able to help us when tempted (2:18). Therefore, he writes, we fix our thoughts on Jesus—our true example of faithfulness to God amidst suffering and temptation. We too, like Sandra, can sing confidently of the hope in which we glory, even in our day of sorrow.
Lord Jesus, thank you for your model of faithfulness. Keep our thoughts always on you. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: AN END TO HUNGER
