SCRIPTURE: He is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:27 NIV
The first advent of Jesus brought a lot of light into the world, but many people missed it. Light is helpful, even miraculous the way it exposes everything — from the beautiful, to the mundane, to the downright evil. Journey with author and blogger Amy Clemens as she explores the advent of one who said he was the light of the world…a light that shines in darkness…that exposes. A light that will make a second advent, with a power and glory no one will miss.
THOUGHT: Advent celebrates God taking on flesh and experiencing what it is like to be human, fragile, made of dust. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,” says the gospel writer Matthew, “and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’).”
So, what do you do when “God with us” starts talking about going away? You likely panic, like Thomas did. “We don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way (Jn. 14:5)?” Peter pleads to come along, testifying he will lay down his life to follow (Jn. 13:37).
Jesus tries to console them with a truth they cannot grasp. “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you (Jn 16:7).”
Because Jesus was willing to come, we understand the heart of God better and have a way back to it. Because Jesus was “good to go,” we have a companion on the journey and aren’t trying to do this thing called Christianity on our own. Paul said it with eloquent simplicity as he tried to explain the phenomenon to those who had never even heard of Jesus: He is not far from any one of us.
Remember that as you’re praying for any unbelieving family or friends today. Jesus is closer today than he was 2,000+ years ago.
PRAYER: Thank you for your advent in flesh, Jesus. Thank you for explaining why you were going away, and why it was good to go, even though your followers didn’t understand. You are never far from even the most skeptical among us, and today we pray each may feel your presence and welcome your advent to them.
Dear Reader,
I’m glad you’re along and I pray you will be blessed, challenged, and encouraged in your faith by something you read here.
There are archives by topic below – now more than 1000 of these daily meditations to browse.
ABOUT ME:
Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
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Keep writing. I read these every day…so encouraging. I mostly read them on my phone and I can *like them there. Merry Christmas!
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Thanks, Jerry. Good to know!
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