HE CAME TO REDEEM THE LOST…
Good morning and welcome to Week 3 of our Advent study! I pray that this study is helping you dig a little deeper into the Christmas story. This week we are going to be looking at why Jesus was born.
So… for most of my life I have felt that many of the Christmas songs we sing at church are a bit somber. It used to bother me because I like music that is upbeat and happy. But I have come to realize that while the birth of Jesus is reason for great joy, it is also reason for great sorrow. When celebrating Christmas we simply hang out at the manger, but we must look at the road ahead and see where it will lead this baby boy.
He was born to die. His life would be one of suffering, and He would do all of this because of our sins.
All of mankind has broken the law of God; “there is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). And so at the appointed time, the Son of God condescended to take on human flesh. He veiled His glory and became dependent on the very people He came to save. As Jesus grew into a man He lived the perfect life. He succeeded in all of the areas where we fail, and this righteousness is given to us as a gift. When He died, He died as one under the wrath of God and when He rose again, He defeated death and the power of sin.
We are saved because of His death, we are seen as righteous because of His life, and we can grow in holiness because of His resurrection. This is why He was born.
We saw that all throughout the Old Testament the coming of the Messiah was proclaimed. All of the pieces of God’s plan of salvation were strategically being put into place. At last the time came for God the Son to step into time and rescue for Himself a people who were so lost, so broken, and so blind that they could not save themselves.
So no matter where we are at, despite our circumstances we have much to rejoice about this holiday season. God became part of an earthy family so that we can become part of a heavenly family.
There are so many happy Christmas songs that we can sing and we should do so loudly. But we should also sing the somber songs with passion, remembering that it is because of our sin that we need a Savior to begin with.
Looking to Jesus,
Week 3 Challenge: Every year we tend to sing many of the same Christmas songs. This year make it a point to really focus on the words of those songs. Marvel at the truth that God’s love caused him to leave his throne in order to become flesh and blood so he could save us.
Week 3 Reading Plan:
Week 3 Memory Verse:
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In past years I have been aware of the meaning of Christmas, I have read many Advent devotionals, but I have never done an Advent study. I love this study, and the fact that it has been challenging for me! It has allowed me to dig deep, and truly study these verses and get down to the real meaning of each verse. My emotions have been all over the place as I study. I have always been grateful for God’s gift of this precious baby Jesus, but now I am so much more grateful as I am truly beginning to understand all that took place in great detail! God’s plan was so perfect and Jesus’ love is so amazing! I feel so blessed by this study, and so fortunate to be a part of this awesome community at Love God Greatly!
Awwww Rachelle darling! You just warmed my heart. We are grateful to God to have you enjoying His world like this. We are so grateful and the fact you are studying with us is reward enough. Hope to see you stronger in the new year. Much love darling.
Rachelle, m loving reading promises of a savior throughout the Old Testament. It really has helped me to understand so much. This study is indeed deep and very meaningful !
“…IF His righteousness is given…”? I truely hope that is a typo. I have been taught that He always gives His righteousness. Jesus came to fulfill the will of God that none shall perish but all shall have eternal life. The word ” if” makes it sound as if we have to earn His righteousness, and it is given if He feels benevolent. I agree that His righteousness is a gift, but it is a gift given to all who ask. It is not conditional. His righteousness is given to everyone that believes in their hearts and confesses with their mouths that Jesus is Lord.
That was a good question, I was trying to see if I could see or read that word in today’s blog, ….If His righteousness is given, but I couldn’t see it. But You are right, we don’t have to earn it, it is freely given and it’s our choice, God had given us free will to accept Jesus Christ and it is up to us if we will accept him in our life.
Perhaps she meant if you are saved, as if righteousness is applied to you? I wondered about that myself
Oh my word!!! I am so glad you caught that “this righteousness if given to us is a gift” should be ” this righteousness IS given to us AS a gift”.
Ugh and here I read it a million times.
I do not believe we can earn anything from God. ALL is grace upon grace. Thanks for catching it because that was a bad one 🙁
I have corrected it.
I am so grateful that Jesus came to this earth to die on that cruel cross for all. Thanks for the reminder!
Amen, Tammy! Thank you Jesus.
Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
As I think deeply on the depth and sacrifice that was made out of love for me, I can only worship.
I am with you in worshipping and rejoicing with this beautiful song, Connie.
Such powerful and touching understanding have come out of this study! As a music liver, I too wanted the hapoy songs and didnt apprectiate the ebauty of these more somber songs of Advent. Truly a time to wonder, to ponder…
Although I’m 64, I have never had a clearer understanding of the meaning of Advent. What a gift of understanding given to us as we seek to know our God, our Saviour more and deeper. We do have much to rejoice about!
Thank you for the reminder that the manger would lead to the cross. I appreciate you telling us to focus on the words of the Christmas songs. Since they are so familiar and i/we know them by heart and have sung them for years, i’m sure i sing without even thinking about the words. Thank you for such an important assignment, and one that i will actually complete!
I agree with Tammy B, Amen!
This has been an amazing study but very deep. Takes some time to really get to the real meaning!
Yes darand God gives us the understanding. God’s blessings
Amazing study and learning so much. God bless you all
Today’s lesson is a good reminder for me that there was nothing we could do to save ourselves from eternal death. Jesus had to come, he had to die and rise with all power in 3 days in order for us to become sons and daughters of God. I’m so thankful.