The Word was Made Flesh and Dwelt Among us…
“The dogma of the Incarnation is the most dramatic thing about Christianity, and indeed, the most dramatic thing that ever entered the mind of man; but if you tell people so, they stare at you in bewilderment.” —Dorothy Sayers
Restoration
“The prophets foretold the birth of Christ (Micah 5:2-5a), who would “be great to the ends of the earth.” We look to God for restoration and salvation (Psalm 80:1-7) through the ultimate sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:5-10), whose birth through the virgin Mary was prophesied by Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-55) and which we anticipate during this Advent season.” -Thomas Oden
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Rejoice!
“We should rejoice! The Lord promises us he will renew us with love and eventually bring us home to be with him (Zepheniah 3:14-20). We need
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Prepare the Way
“The prophets foretold the coming of Christ (Malachi 3:1-4), as did Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79) and John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Lord (Luke 3:1-6). Until Christ returns again, we strive to become more like him (Philippians 1:3-11).”
-Thomas Oden
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“Christ the King Sunday focuses our worship on the cosmic character of Christ’s reign over the world. It is a proclamation to all that everything in creation and culture must submit to Christ and an invitation to actively and joyfully submit to his rule. The day is celebrated widely in some traditions and is normally scheduled on the last Sunday before Advent. It therefore serves as a transitional Sunday leading directly into Advent, the Christmas cycle, and the new Christian year. The day fits well with the eschatological emphasis and anticipation of Christ’s second coming highlighted during Advent. It also helps worshipers, who are already thinking about Christmas, to remember that Christmas is about much more than a baby in a manger—it is about a sovereign Christ who came to be the ‘Prince of Peace.'”
– from The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd Ed.
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Confidence in Our Creator
“Lord, we take refuge in you (Psalm 16), for you listen to our despair (1 Samuel 1:4-20) and know the future (Mark 13:1-8). Therefore, we draw near to you, holding to your promises (Hebrews 10:11-25).”-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
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Perfect Sacrifice
“All is vain, unless it is done for the Lord (Psalm 127 and Psalm 146). Even when what we are asked to do seems difficult (Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17), we must be willing to sacrifice everything (Mark 12:38-44) for the One who gave us his only Son as a sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:24-28).”
-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
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Serving God
“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 146). Give us the faithfulness of Ruth (Ruth 1:1-18) and the strength to love you with all our hearts (Mark 12:28-34) so we may serve you, the living God (Hebrews 9:11-14).”
-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
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God’s Mercy
“The Lord has delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:1-8, 19-22); there is nothing he cannot do (Job 42:1-6, 10-17). His mercy, grace and power (Mark 10:46-52) are shown through his sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 7:23-28).”
-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
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Humble Yourself
“Praise the Lord, my soul (Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c), for God laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:1-7, 34-41). Help us to serve rather than to strive for greatness (Mark 10:35-45), just as Christ humbled himself as a sacrifice for us (Hebrews 5:1-10).”
-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
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