And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one…I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
John 17:11, 14-15 ESV
For Lutherans, the season of Advent is all about looking forward and backward at the same time. We look back to remember what Christ accomplished for us as he came to us in the flesh, as a child. We then identify with all the saints from the early Church until now in looking forward to His promised Second Coming when all things are set to right. It’s also a time of year when Christians who are familiar with their Bibles and basic theology often wonder why the world is so obsessed with Christmas but willing to totally ignore Advent.
Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 ESV
As the Church, if we’re faithful to who and whose we are, it can feel as though we are more than a little out of step with the world that rushes from Halloween to tinsel and Santa Claus all in one fell step. It’s in these moments when we realize that truly are in the world, but not of the world
If you’re looking for a focused way to prepare your heart this Advent season, try reading through the book of Luke, 1 chapter per day. If you start with Chapter 1 on December 1st, you will finish the final chapter on December 24th, Christmas Eve, at which point you will have recounted the entire life of Jesus—His birth, death, and resurrection, and will hopefully be reminded of exactly why we celebrate this special time.
You can use the following devotional questions to help you reflect on what the Holy Spirit might be saying to you this Advent and Christmas.
Chapter 1
Zacharias and Mary both respond to the Lord. How are they different? Which one do you relate to more?
Chapter 2
Where do you see God working to bring about the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the Messiah’s birth?
Chapter 3
Why’s it important to trace Jesus’ genealogy all the way back to the beginning of time? Take a look at how both Matthew and John open their gospel accounts. What gets your attention?
Chapter 4
Why did the crowd in the synagogue get stirred up by Jesus’ words? Has the Bible ever challenged you to that degree?
Chapter 5
What response do we see from the disciples whom Jesus called to follow Him? What would motivate you to respond as they did?
Chapter 6
Where do you see contrasts between what the world teaches compared with Jesus?
Chapter 7
How do different people respond to Jesus’ ministry in this chapter? What does Jesus’ parable reveal about the reason for these varied responses?
Chapter 8
Why is it important for Luke to recount the miracles of physical healing that Jesus performed? What do these miracles say about the Kingdom of Heaven?
Chapter 9
In what ways do we see people misunderstanding Jesus?
Chapter 10
Jesus praised the Father for revealing the truth about Him “to infants” rather than “the wise and intelligent.” How do we see that play out in this chapter? Why does God choose to work this way?
Chapter 11
What appears to be the main priority of the Pharisees and lawyers here?
Chapter 12
What does this chapter teach us about how we as Christians are to live on Earth until Christ’s return?
Chapter 13
What does Jesus seem to think about the lost? Are you challenged by this?
Chapter 14
What are the costs of following Jesus (v. 25-34)? What are the rewards (v.1-24)?
Chapter 15
How does God feel about repentance?
Chapter 16
What is the significance of the end of the parable Jesus tells about Lazarus and the rich man (v. 31)?
Chapter 17
What can the stories of Noah (Gen. 6-8) and Lot (Gen. 19) teach us in relation to Christ’s second coming (v. 26-33)?
Chapter 18
How is God’s value system different from that of the world (v. 9-30)? What could you start working on today so that your values are more closely aligned with His?
Chapter 19
What is Jesus’ response when He arrives in Jerusalem (v. 41-46)?
Chapter 20
How does Jesus respond to insincere questioning in this chapter?
Chapter 21
How did Jesus teach that His followers should respond to persecution (v. 12-19)? Note how this compares to His response to His own persecution in the following chapters.
Chapter 22
Why was Jesus’ response to the Sanhedrin’s questioning so infuriating to them (v. 70-71)?
Chapter 23
Similar to the events of His birth, what fulfillment of Messianic prophecies do we see in this account of Jesus’ death?
Chapter 24
How does the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection give you hope today?
Each day, pray about whom to invite to the Christmas Eve service at 5:00 pm. Boldly ask the Lord to prepare them to say yes to your invitation.
See you in worship!
Pastor Mark
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