Advent Devotional Day 24: Show Us How It's Done

December 24:

B.C. verse: John 1:14

A.D. verse: Ephesians 2:8-10; 5:8-10

Christmas hymn: “O Holy Night”

Hymn for today: “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “Praise Him” by David Crowder

Fun fact: Approximately 65% of the population are visual learners. I definitely fall into that category. I enjoy challenging myself by learning new things, and one of my goals this year was to improve in the sewing department.

Since practice makes perfect, I took on a couple of fairly simple sewing projects. For the first one, I read the instructions from a book. Since my sewing vocabulary was/is very limited, it took me a long time (and a few phone calls to my mom) to figure out what I was supposed to do. A few ripped seams later, I was successful.

For the second project, I streamlined the process by flipping open my laptop and heading to youtube. After I watched the video a couple of times, I confidently completed the task.

The bottom line is that if I want to learn something completely and correctly, I need to see it.

Here’s another fun fact: Approximately 100% of the population hates being told what to do. I definitely fall into that category too. If you ask me politely, I will almost always comply because I like to be helpful. I am a problem-solver by nature and have often dropped what I am doing to accommodate someone else. However, if you tell me what to do, it’s a different story. I am not proud to say that my character flaws, stubbornness and belligerence, may rear their ugly heads in such a circumstance.

I am pretty sure that I am not alone in that regard.

Fortunately, God is aware of these fun facts about humans too, and He took this into consideration when He planned Operation: Save Mankind.  Today’s verse from John seems to confirm this idea: “The Word became flesh and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory of the Father’s one and only Son” (14).  

When the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, the purpose was to give mankind a flesh and bone, practical example of how to live. Since He knew (knows) we are visual learners, God knew this was the best way to show mankind what He expected. Unfailing love and faithfulness are the cornerstones of His example and Christ-like living.

As Holy God and King of the Universe, He could have merely and only TOLD us what He expected. It would have been within His rights and power as an omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent ruler to do so. However, in considering how well we humans love directives, He saw a better, more effective means to the end He desired.

Starting with His birth, the 33 years he spent on earth were living, breathing Scripture in motion. As a human, He knew and understood our challenges and limitations; as God in human form, He was perfection within those human parameters. He gave us the blueprint of how to live and interact with others in spite of those limitations. What grace, what love. . .far more than we deserved. “God saved you by His grace when you believed, and you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Because of His generosity and compassion, we also have the freedom (as in, choice) to follow His example for the rest of our earthly lives. Our salvation is not dependent on whether or not we do, but in considering the depth and purity of His love for us, how can we not respond?

“For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true” (Ephesians 5:9). . .”so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago”(Ephesians 2:10).

 The words to my favorite Christmas hymn are a fitting way to end this devotional and the Advent season as well as celebrate Christ’s birth and awaited return.

O holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name

Daily Challenge: Go to church tonight. When there, be there. Discipline your mind to celebrate Christ’s birth. Don’t worry about dinner, gifts or relatives. Before you leave, hug someone, and don’t let go until s/he does.