Advent 2020 — Week 1
Jesus, our Hope
Read
Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.
The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
For you will break the yoke of their slavery
and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
The boots of the warrior
and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.
They will be fuel for the fire.For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!—Isaiah 9:1-7
Listen
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appears
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high
And cheer us by thy drawing nigh
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Meditate
The Israelites waited for redemption by God’s Messiah for thousands of years.
They were persecuted, enslaved, oppressed, attacked, displaced, and ultimately they were unfulfilled in their desire to see God’s glory.
Ask yourself…
What is God’s glory?
Why do you think that the Israelites put their hope in the coming Messiah? In the revelation of God’s glory?
How have you faced persecution, enslavement, and oppression because of Sin (your Sin and the Sin of others)?
Jesus Christ came to reveal the full glory of God.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
—John 1:14
And he is coming again to bring the full glory of God to us.
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
—Romans 5:2
Ask yourself…
How has my perspective of placing my hope in Jesus changed?
Where do I need to place my hope in Jesus right now?
The First Coming of the Messiah — Part I
Read
5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.[b] 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,[c] and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”
19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. 22 When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.
23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”
—Luke 1:5-25
Listen
Hope (Zechariah) by Poor Bishop Hooper
Old man hidden in
A ritual cavernous
Put your head down do your stint
Oil and incense
Barren so long that
You’ve gotten quite used to it
Remember when you used to wish
Still you never quit, still you never quit
Zachariah chosen by lot
All alone in the temple with God
How could he have seen the angel coming with a word brand new
To shatter hopelessness forever, shatter hopelessness forever
Are you hearing things, could it be as it seems
The hopeful voice before you’s, been quiet for centuries
Truly there will be, a very real offspring
For your boy awaits, divine appointing
Zachariah you can know this
For I come from the very presence
How could you believe that I was sent by the most high and lifted God
To shatter hopelessness forever, shatter hopelessness forever
Now listen for you must
I'll give your words to your son
Don’t lose hope or lose trust
He is a so very special one, none
None borne of women like him
None will be greater than him
For the prophets all foretold him
There’s messenger in him
He’ll make ready for the Lord all the people
He’ll make ready for the Lord all his children
He’ll make ready for the Lord all who listen
He’ll make ready the way, ready the way
Zachariah chosen by lot
All alone in the temple with God
How could he have seen the angel coming with a word brand new
To shatter hopelessness forever, shatter hopelessness forever...
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