*This is Week 3 of a 5-part Advent Devotional Series. View our Advent page here.
Week 2 - Week 4
Run! Don’t Walk! - Luke 2:15-21
“‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste...”
Have you ever received news that demands a response? On the morning of the great 3-inch Anderson Blizzard in January 2022, I remember telling my 6-year old son to go look outside. There’s nothing like seeing snow in the reflection of a child’s eyes. After seeing the winter wonderland for himself, Nathan immediately jumps up, screaming, “Ellie! It’s snowing!” He just had to tell his 3-year-old sister this exciting news!
When the shepherds witness the glorious site of countless angels announcing the birth of Christ, doing nothing is not an option. They know it’s not just the angels speaking to them, but the news, and the gift, comes from the Lord.
Struck by this thrill of hope, they go “with haste,” dropping everything to meet the Prince of Peace. To their great delight, these lowly shepherds are counted as some of the first human eyes to gaze upon the Good Shepherd. This priceless experience demands another response, as they return home, bursting with praise and glorifying God with uncontainable joy.
If the cradle of Christ had such an effect upon them, how much more his cross and resurrection upon us! Today we live in light of the finished work of our Savior, who was born to die, that
we might be raised to life with him. The Gospel of Jesus Christ demands your response. Run! Don’t walk!
Run to Christ as your greatest joy and true hope. Fall on your knees to worship Christ the Lord, to proclaim his power and glory forevermore. And in your joy, go and tell this weary world to come and see.
-Jonathan Wisdom
O Holy Night
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 appeared 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, O holy night, O night divine
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
Christ is the Lord! O Praise His Name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
Text: John S. Dwight
Tune: CANTIQUE DE NOEL 11.10.11.10.11.10.11.10.10, Adolphe C. Adam