We have expectations, but are often met with a reality that looks much different than we hoped. The good news of Jesus Christ is this: Who he really is, the reality beyond our expectations, is very good news for us.
This advent we discover who Jesus is and what he is promised to be through stories of the Old Testament. There a promise was made and expectations began. From the Old Testament to now, we learn Jesus is much better than we expected.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. The light no darkness can overcome.
Jesus, open our eyes to your light and our ears to your words of hope. Come, O long-expected Jesus. Our hope is in you. Amen.
Word: 2 Samuel 12:7 “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel…’”
Meditation: Of Jesse’s Lineage Coming
Today’s meditation is written by Megan Roegner
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As men of old have sung.
It came, a flower bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-gone was the night.
As a young girl in the children’s choir, I loved singing “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.” The harmonies were gorgeous, and the lyrics about flowers, tenderness, and sweetness were so different not only from other Advent or Christmas songs but also the images we often associate with the power of God. As I read 2 Samuel 12 this week, I found myself singing the familiar words to myself, with David’s shame and Nathan’s rebuke adding depths of meaning. Why is it so meaningful that the Messiah came from this lineage?
Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-gone was the night.
When Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah, about 250 years had passed since David’s reign, and Israel and Judah were immersed in political conflict. While David led the united kingdom to military victory and stability and Solomon further expanded its power and influence, things fell apart as early as the reign of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, with the separation of Israel and Judah. How quickly even the two great monarchs of the united kingdom drifted away from God—David through his treatment of Bathsheba and Uriah—and Solomon through the worship of his many wives’ foreign gods. How messy were the family lives, these not-so-tender stems of Jesse.
This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load.
Two truths comfort me when I think of the lineage of David. One: God works in brokenness. Even the great David, the chosen king, the passionate psalmist, the brave hero, messed up. Messed up big time. This shows me that when I mess up, it does not mean that I am no longer part of God’s story. Two: God has something better in mind. Where our leaders fail, where we disappoint ourselves, where darkness is everywhere, he sends his son. He saves us not through military might or political savvy but rather through mercy, love, and sacrifice. He takes the ugliness and makes it beautiful. He encounters the darkness and brings us light.
Savior, thank you for bringing beauty, tenderness, and sweetness to us when we feel surrounded by darkness and brokenness. Thank you for being our perfect King. Amen
(The text of “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” was translated from German by Theodore Baker. The original German author is unknown.)
Prayer for Daily Callings
· For my occupation, workplace, coworkers.
· For my work to be good for others, an extension of God’s love and care.
· For the unemployed.
· For growth in my career; not to work for a paycheck but for you and others.
· For discernment, if I should pursue another job or direction in life.
· For my callings at home as spouse, son/daughter, brother/sister.
· For schools, teachers, classmates.
· For eyes to see God’s work around me this day. For the courage to participate in it.
· Not to be comfortable in my callings, but to be useful.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we live in a world full of tension. In your son you hold all tensions in perfect balance, justice and mercy, agony and ecstasy, law and Gospel. Create in me deeper faith in you in the midst of tension. Amen!