Christmas Advent Devotional | Day 18
Advent – Day 18
The balance between physical and spiritual traditions. Jesus’ birth fulfilled both human and divine expectations. How do we strike that balance today without going into bondage, or worse, throwing away important boundary markers? We continue our Advent devotional series from the book of Luke. Remember Advent means “coming,” and we are taking time to reflect on the birth, and second coming of our Lord Jesus in this Christmas season, and its significance to each one of us.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2: 19-21
19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. 21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
Devotional Thoughts
The birth of Christ ushered in the fulfillment of both human and divine traditions. The human tradition being fulfilled was the circumcision on the eighth day. This circumcision was a fulfillment of a Jewish tradition, which served as a boundary marker for God’s people. The traditions are not present to restrict, but to mark us as people of God. Traditions surrounding modesty, morality, worship, celebration services, all serve to guide us and keep us accountable to the Lord as his own. They are not however meant to be a source of bondage, and can become so when the emphasis is placed on the tradition rather than the intents, purposes and word of God.
Jesus was not exempt from the traditions of old, with his circumcision being an example. Later, when He submits Himself to be baptized by John the Baptist, John is confused that one greater that him should be baptized by him, John. Jesus, aware of the traditions, explained to him that it was necessary to fulfil all righteousness (traditions).
As the physical tradition was fulfilled in Jesus’ life, so was the divine. The name Jesus was divinely given. The name was also divinely conveyed to his parents separately. Joseph was visited by an angel in a dream and discouraged from divorcing his wife, being told that the Child was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and shall be called Jesus (Matthew 1:20-21). Mary was also visited by the angel Gabriel, and told that she would give birth to a son, who shall be called Jesus (Luke 1:30-31). In obedience to the divine visitations, after the circumcision of the Child, he was named Jesus. The name Jesus, is the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning Jehovah is Salvation.
Christ – Jesus the Savior
The name of a person has historically being a prophetic declaration of the person’s destiny. A name foretold the expectation of character and performance. A name explained the family in which one found themselves. A name could be a determinant of one’s future. Proverbs 22:1 tells us that a good name is better than riches.
When the angel announced that the Child was to be called Jesus, it was more than just a declaration of a name. He was declaring that a Savior had arrived on the earthly terrain. He was bringing to light the fact that God the Father was going to save mankind by becoming a man who walked this earth. The timeline of life records these events even though one may choose to believe the implications or not. Believing in the implications and making a decision to accept the invitation of the Savior on the other hand makes all the difference in one’s life.
Reflection
- Have you given thought to the physical traditions you partake in, and what their purpose is?
- Have you given thought to the prophetic power that is in a name? What does your name mean?
- The Lord Jesus came as man, but also as Lord. Most importantly perhaps, as Savior. He is still knocking on the doors of our hearts. Have you let Him in?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for your unconditional love. Thank you for your passion to save us from earthly and eternal darkness. Help me to walk in your ways, accepting the gift of salvation and grant me the grace to share the good news with many.
Previous Devotional
Christmas Advent Devotional Day 17
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