Advent: All the Ends of the Earth!!

Read Psalm 22:22-31

Last night our group, ISCA, sponsored “International Christmas Fest”. For me it was a moving night. We had performers from all over the world presenting a variety of acts – All because of Jesus. We had two great children’s choirs: One from China and one from Korea. We had poetry from Nigeria, music from Peru, some student from Cameroon performed for us what Christmas is like in Cameroon. We had memories of Christmas from China, Macedonia, Rwanda, and Eritrea. We had a dance group from American and the University of Arkansas Inspirational Singers sang. As I sat in the back watching all of this I kept thinking of Psalm 22:27-28:

All the ends of the earth

will remember and turn to the Lord,

and all the families of the nations

will bow down before him,

for dominion belongs to the Lord

and he rules over the nations.

All the ends of the earth were at University Baptist Church remembering and proclaiming the story of Jesus!

Most of Psalm 22 is painful to read. It reminds us of what Jesus had to go through on the cross. But in verse 22 the tone changes and begins to remind us of the global impact that the birth of Jesus has on the people of the earth. Jesus was born to set his people free. Jesus went through the pain of the cross to bring forgiveness to us all. He did this for all people and all generations.

Look at verse 30-31. He had done it!

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:14

Jesus is the Light: Advent Readings

John 1:4-5; John 8:12

I didn’t become a true follower of Jesus until my college years. Before that I actually called myself an atheist or skeptic. But my youth was spent going to church (mom made me go) so I had memories of what Christians did and once I became a follower I wanted to experience all the celebrations of my youth but as a true followers of Jesus.

When my first Christmas came as true devotee of Jesus I was excited to experience the true meaning of Jesus – the celebration of the incarnation of Jesus. I figured it would be so cool as a true believer. I was extremely disappointed. The “Christmas season” got in the way of my celebration of the birth of Jesus. I was busy working extra hours at a lumber yard so I could afford gifts. There were people everywhere in a hurry. And Christmas eve and Christmas day seemed to be all about food, relatives, and opening gifts.

At first I was disappointed in my culture but then I realized I did little to make it different. I wanted others to do things so I could have a “real Christmas”. But what to do? I did two things: One I bought a “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” button and I put it on my coat the next Christmas. This might seem minor but it actually was an important ritual for me every Christmas for many years.

The second thing I did was far more important. I was introduced to the concept of the season of Advent – a special period of time that started four Sundays before Christmas. It was a time period of daily Bible readings that pointed my mind to Jesus. Advent is a time to remember the coming and over over the years I added things to celebrate Jesus’ coming.

One thing I started doing is putting up Christmas lights. But not for the cultural reasons, but because of the Bible today’s Bible verses! Jesus is the light of the world and the light shines in the darkness. Every year I’d put up lights, either on my house or in my room when I rented a room. On the first Sunday of Advent (this year Nov. 28^th) I’d turn on the lights and I’d say “Jesus is the light of the world and the light shines in the darkness.” This might seem simple but for me it has become a special moment for my celebration. When I finally decided to follow Jesus, Jesus brought light into the darkness of my life. I’m a very different person today because of that light. Christmas is about the light and I’m going to light the lights to begin my celebration.

I am so thankful that the light of Jesus shines in my life and as I begin remembering the most important moment in history, before Easter, I want to light the lights to daily remind me that Jesus is the light.

Advent Readings

Advent means a “coming”. Many Christians prepare for the celebration of Christmas by reading daily “advent” readings. The goal of the readings to look at the whole Christmas story. It actually begins in the Old Testament with some prophecy about Jesus and then goes to the New Testament and looks at the events of Christmas and Jesus’ life. Advent always begins four Sundays before Christmas (Dec. 25^th). To use this guide read the passage of the day each day and ask yourself “What do I learn about Jesus today and what does it mean to me?”

Week one: Jesus will come

Sunday Nov. 28^th John 1:4-5; John 8:12

Monday Nov. 29^th Isaiah 9:1-7

Tuesday Nov. 30^th Isaiah 11:1-12

Wednesday Dec. 1^st Isaiah 40:1-11

Thursday Dec. 2^nd Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Friday Dec. 3^rd Psalm 22:1-8

Saturday Dec. 4^th Psalm 22:9-21

Week two: Jesus has come!

Sunday Dec. 5^th Psalm 22:22-31

Monday Dec. 6^th Luke 1:1-25

Tuesday Dec. 7^th Luke 1:26-38

Wednesday Dec. 8^th Luke 1: 39-56

Thursday Dec. 9^th Luke 2:1-21

Friday Dec. 10^th Luke 2:22-40

Saturday Dec. 11^th Luke 2:40-52

Week three: What Jesus did

Sunday Dec. 12^th Luke 4:1-14

Monday Dec. 13^th John 1:1-18

Tuesday Dec. 14^th John 18:1-11

Wednesday Dec. 15^th John 18:12-27

Thursday Dec. 16^th John 18:28-40

Friday Dec. 17^st John 19:1-16

Saturday Dec. 18^th John 19:17-42

Week four: What it means to me

Sunday Dec. 19^th John 20:1-23

Monday Dec. 20^th John 16:5-16

Tuesday Dec. 21^st John 16:17-33

Wednesday Dec. 22^nd Ephesians 2:1-22

Thursday Dec. 23^rd Hebrews 10:19-25

Friday Dec. 24^th 1^st Corinthians 15:50-58

Christmas day:

Saturday Dec. 25^th Luke 2:1-20

(re-read the Christmas story)

I hope you enjoy these readings. I'll be posting my reflections on my advent readings on my blog throughout the Advent seasons. After you read the passage yourself feel free to check out my reflections.

Have a great celebration of the birth of our Lord. It's an amazing story.