Praying with Wonder Through Christmas, by David Matthis
Day One: The glory of Christmas is that it is not the beginning of Christ!
Matthew 1:18-21 CEV This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David’s family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God’s Holy Spirit. (19) Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. (20) While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. (21) Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
1 Peter 3:18 CEV Christ died once for our sins. An innocent person died for those who are guilty. Christ did this to bring you to God, when his body was put to death and his spirit was made alive.
Let’s pray:
Father in heaven, we ask that this Advent you would seal deep within our souls the meaning of Your Son’s coming. Jesus came not to entertain. He came not merely to make a great story. He came to restore us rebels to our God. Advent is personal. Draw us closer in these days to the heart of Christ, which is your own heart, and make his first advent, in all its realness and substance, more real in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.