December 14 | Isaiah 42:1-7

Advent Candles Devotionals

ENGAGING IN THE ADVENT SEASON: WEEK 3

Welcome to week 3 of the Advent season. If you haven’t implemented a rhythm of devotions this Advent season, it’s not too late to start! Consider joining your family together and connecting with God in this way: 

1)    Light a candle and together say “We begin this time in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.” If you have an advent wreath, you’ll light an additional candle with each new week leading up to Christmas. A new week begins each Sunday. Lighting the Christ Candle in the center on Christmas morning is always a special moment. 

2)    Read the assigned Scripture for the day and share any thoughts you have. Because Advent is a time of preparation to celebrate Christ’s birth, reflect on the daily passages with a focus on this special time.  

3)    Have someone close in a simple prayer.

4)    Conclude together by saying “We go now in peace, ending this time in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.” Blow out the candle.  

A regular rhythm of Advent devotions helps us prepare for the coming of Jesus. Christians throughout history have tried to ensure the busyness of this season does not overtake their focus. Advent can be an incredible time of spiritual refreshment and renewal, and we pray that this would be true for you, too!

BIBLE READING

Isaiah 42:1-7

REFLECTION

IMAGINE THAT

by Steve Turnbull

Christmas is coming! Can you picture in your mind’s eye what your holiday will look like? Where will you be celebrating? Will you travel for the holiday? What will the kitchen smell like that day? Who will be sitting at the table with you?

You probably have a vision for how you are spending the Christmas holiday. We use our imaginations to envision much of our life—what our relationships with our family will look like, what kinds of grades we receive in school, how our businesses will grow, how we will impact our communities, and more.

Some things are harder to imagine, though. How can our individual insecurities be soothed? How can we find reconciliation in long-divided relationships? How can a world so sinful and broken be healed?

The people of Israel struggled with these same questions and longed for these same things. And they probably never imagined that God’s answer would sound like it does in Isaiah 42. Where would this faithful servant come from? How could someone so gentle and quiet accomplish so much? Could God’s justice really reach that far?

And then for God to fulfill this promise in Jesus Christ – that’s something no one could have imagined.

In the person of Jesus Christ, we see the all-powerful God of the universe—the one who created the heavens and stretched out the earth—take on flesh and bone and humble himself to serve and save his creation. The God who promised a servant became that servant himself! In his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus revealed himself as both King over all and Servant to all. His Kingdom frustrates our sinful human imaginations and simultaneously expands our vision for where true justice, righteousness, and peace are found. We find our salvation in him, and him alone.

In this season of Advent, we remember that while Jesus’ work has already fulfilled these promises of God, we do not yet see the full effect of Christ’s rule and reign. We are still longing, and God is still converting our imaginations in Christ.  We are given a new vision to hope for the day when God’s kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace will be known in full. God has promised these things, and he is faithful to fulfill his promises.

Thanks be to God!

---

PRAYER

God of creation, we give you thanks that you are faithful to your people and unwavering in the fulfillment of your promises. Our own imaginations, limited by sin, cannot fathom the goodness and glory of your kingdom. Holy Spirit, reshape our hearts and expand our imaginations in the way of your kingdom until the day when we can see it plain. Make us more like you, Jesus. Amen.

---

---

THE AUTHOR

Steve Turnbull

Senior Pastor