Welcome to the Church season of Advent. Advent means coming and is a preparation for celebrating the coming of the Christ Child. I should probably confess that I've always thought it was kind of stupid since Jesus actually came 2000 years ago. As a Catholic kid going to a Catholic elementary school you do what everybody else does and accept the explanations as solid. At some point, some of us begin to wonder about what we've been taught because it doesn't make much sense.
Why would we prepare for the coming of Jesus when he came centuries ago?
Honestly, I still have some questions about that, but I sort of get the more spiritual meaning behind it all.
This year, I'm going to work through the 24 chapters of The Gospel According to Luke -- one chapter per day, in preparation for Christmas 2019. If you'd like to read along I plan on posting a link to the corresponding chapter and a brief summary or takeaway from my perspective. Don't expect it to be an in-depth bible study. It will be more of a devotional type reading, although it will be a little longer than most daily devotions.
Here we go...
Luke, chapter 1
Summary
Chapter 1 is a long chapter and there is so much more than a one day post. Luke begins with an explanation of why he is writing this account. He is writing to a friend (thought to be the governor of Antioch at the time) that seems to be wondering about the things he has heard concerning Jesus of Nazareth.
Luke's account (appropriately) begins before the birth of Jesus. It tells of the birth of the prophesied forerunner to the promised Messiah. It tells of the angelic visit to Zechariah and the coming miracle birth of John the Baptist. The angel proclaims that John will go before the coming Messiah in the power and spirit of the prophet Elijah to prepare the people for his arrival.
Then comes another angelic appearance, this one to the young woman that will give birth to Jesus.
My take away
I think this is a perfect beginning to the Advent season. Just as God sent a messenger to the Jews to let them know that the long awaited Savior was on his way, we can examine the prophesies and the life of Jesus to see if he truly is the Messiah and worthy of our worship and following.
Also -- I think John probably had it tough as a kid. Old parents and high expectations with predetermined lifelong restrictions -- no wonder he was a little weird!
John <><
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