Advent Devotional 2008

This is the devotional I wrote for the Advent book at church this year. Mine was scheduled to be read on Sunday, the second Sunday of Advent. I am a couple days late in posting it but I thought I would share -


Isaiah 11:1-10 looks toward the rule of the one whose life is to be shaped by the “spirit of the Lord”. In advent we are preparing for Christmas, the birth of Jesus, our savior. With that we are also preparing for the reign of Christ and the celebration of the opportunity to become members of God’s Kingdom.
The image of the stump in Isaiah gives us a visual representation of taking away the old to get back to the beginning of where our hearts are supposed to be. It also allows for new growth and love through the birth of the baby Jesus.
The season of advent is a time of newness, of celebration. It is also a time for gifts. Not the wrapped packages under the tree, but the spiritual gifts God sent to us in Jesus. Jesus was sent to give us the gifts of the spirit including wisdom and understanding. On that very special night so very long ago few people understood just how much wisdom and understanding a tiny baby would have. Jesus’ life is an inspiration to us. The baby in the manger grew up to face mistrust, adversaries, and mocking at ever turn yet he continued to share his wisdom and understanding with those around him. Jesus never gave up teaching and spreading the word through the land.
As we go through this season of advent, remember not only the gifts that you receive but also that Jesus came bearing gifts that Christmas morning long ago; gifts that remind us to be tolerant and to learn from each other.