Advent at the Table: A Devotional for Christmas Day
Village pastors Revs. Rodger Nishioka, Maggie Johnson Phillips, Zach Walker, and Anna Owens have written a devotional for each Sunday in Advent. Each devotional is meant to be read as you light the Advent candle on your wreath at home each week. We will publish each week’s devotional here, but you may also stop by the church and pick up a printed devotional booklet to take home with you. These can be used from year to year; start a new holiday tradition with your family!
If you prefer, you may download the PDF file here with all five weeks of devotionals.
Read
Isaiah 9:6
A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Luke 2:8-20
“Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
“The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, ‘Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.’
“When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.’ They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.”
Reflect
Eight hundred years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote about the birth of a child who would change the world. And on the night Jesus was born, an angel appeared to some unsuspecting shepherds. They were startled, of course, but when they heard the good news, they left the fields and ran to the manger and saw the baby Jesus and they praised God. They realized then that what Isaiah had predicted had come true. They realized that this little baby was sent by God. They realized that this infant would change the world.
God could have come to us in another form. God could have come to us riding on a stallion out of the sun. God could have come to us emerging from a volcano with fire all around. But no, God chose to come to us in the quiet of night in a manger in a small town. On this Christmas day, we remember that moment over 2,000 years ago when God became flesh and was born in a manger in Bethlehem.
Take a moment and reflect on the question: What does it mean that God chose to be with us in the form of the infant Jesus?
Close with Prayer
Loving God, we give you thanks for your coming to be with us in Jesus. We are in awe that you chose to come to us in the form of a helpless baby.
As we celebrate this day, help us live as your son taught us—loving you with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving others as we want to be loved and loving your creation.
Thank you, Emmanuel, God with us. We love you.
Amen.