In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

• Luke 2:1-7

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In almost every depiction of the Nativity, the Inn Keeper is portrayed as a burly, inhumane grump who denies poor little Mary and Joseph a place to lodge. In reality the Inn Keeper is probably undeserving of such a bad rap. The Christmas story begins with:

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.”

• Luke 2:1-2

Caesar Augustus, born Gaius Octavius, is the original Caesar. As leader of the Roman Empire, it was important for him to fortify the financial backings of his empirical conquests. There is no better way to accomplish this than to issue a new census so taxes can be properly administered and collected.

The lyrics of the famous Christmas carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, are very accurate in describing the small town. It was little. The population around Jesus’s birth would have likely numbered around 300. Can you imagine the impact of a mandated census? Mary and Joseph wouldn’t have been alone in their journey to Bethlehem. There would have been hundreds, if not more than a thousand, additional visitors to the tiny rural town. Additionally, most of those making the 70-mile journey would not have been pregnant like Mary.

When Joseph and Mary finally arrive there simply is no room for them. Everyone’s home is maxed out. The inn is booked up. The Inn Keeper was probably a nice guy who just didn’t have any space for Jesus.

You see, 2,000 years later, many of us are facing the same dilemma as the Inn Keeper. It’s not that we’re hostile to Jesus – we simply don’t have room for Him. We have no white space, or margin in our busy lives. Maxed out schedules, commitments, Netflix queues, and a thousand other things have filled up all the available space in our lives, and even our hearts.

During this Advent season, amid the hustle and bustle, make room for Jesus. Give Jesus some prime real estate and some prime time during this Holiday season. Not because you ought too, but because you want too.

What makes this detail in the Christmas story so significant is God knew the Inn would be full. This was no surprise at all to Heaven. The Messiah came, just as He was promised, without regard for the deserving and hospitable nature of mankind. He came knowing the world He entered would be so crowded, distracted and preoccupied that few would realize the King of Kings was in their presence. After all, these are exactly the people Jesus was coming for. He was coming to save them from themselves. He was coming to redeem and rescue people who needed Him. He came for us.

So also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

• Hebrews 9:28

The Christmas trick works just about every time. The commercials, the carols, the Christmas TV specials, and the gingerbread lattes all promise that this year will be different. This year will finally be perfect. Your family will finally get along. The kids will be so grateful for their Christmas presents – never tiring of playing with them. You won’t run out of Egg Nog at the party this year. You’ll finally find the perfect gift for that perfect person who will make Christmas ever so perfect.

Many of us fall for it every year – only to be disappointed. The post-holiday blues set in and we wonder, “Will things ever work out the way I hope and dream?”

Yes. Maybe not this Christmas, but yes.

The Advent season is not just about reflecting on the first coming of Jesus when he arrived as an infant boy in a stable. Advent is also about looking in hopeful anticipation to the second coming when Jesus will arrive on a white horse as King of Kings.

When Jesus comes the second time, it will be to make all things right and just. It will be to renew and restore that which is broken and marred. Evil will be judged and banished and the bride of Christ rescued and presented “without spot, wrinkle or blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27)

Take a moment and think on this with me: No spot. No wrinkle. No Blemish.

How can this possibly be? Our sins are prevalent. Christmas often reveals the truly wicked condition of our hearts. No ‘spot, wrinkle, or blemish’? What of our pride, faults, and failures? We would find it joyous if the scripture simply said Jesus would present me without a heinous scar or disfigurement. We would celebrate for all eternity if we were presented with our mess appropriately covered. How wonderful it would be, just to be presentable. Yet, that is not the promise of the Second Advent. Jesus will present us in perfect and complete righteousness – without spot, wrinkle, or blemish.

No spots from our shameful past.
No wrinkles from our disobedience.
No blemishes from our failures.
Perfect.

Soak it in. Savor the good news. Rejoice with a joy truly unspeakable. There is coming a day when all will be as it should be. Another Advent has been promised – one where our King will return and will find us altogether lovely.

Consider the words of C.S. Lewis: “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” Does this resonate with you? What would it mean for our day-to-day faith journey if we lived daily in light of the promise of the Second Advent?

Gifts are an important aspect of Christmas celebrations. Often we like to piously remark that, “it’s not about the presents.” Yet, Christmas in itself is the gracious gift of Salvation from God through Jesus Christ. Think about the size and scope of this gift – what kind of Thank you card would you write to Heaven in light of this?

Does “without spot, wrinkle or blemish” seem impossible to you? If so, why does Paul – a man who claimed to be “chief among sinners” believe it to be so?

RESPONSE

Take some time to pray, thanking God for His goodness and grace in sending a Savior. Confess the areas where your confidence in His faithfulness is weak and ask Him to build up your trust, belief, and hope.

Advent Week One | Week Two

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

• Luke 2:8-20

One of the fascinating aspects of the Advent narrative is the unlikely people God sovereignly picked to play a direct role in the incarnation story. He used lowly shepherds as messengers of the Messiah’s arrival. He chose an utterly plain, little rural town to be the birthplace of Jesus.

Then there was Jesus’ mother. Who would you have cast for this extraordinarily powerful and esteemed role? God chose Mary, a young virgin Hebrew girl, to be the mother of Jesus. What exactly made Mary the ideal candidate to be used in such an epic role? Even Mary didn’t understand. Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth describes Mary as being “greatly troubled” at Gabriel’s news that she would carry and give birth to the Son of God.

“How could this be?” she must have wondered.

“Who am I?”

“You’ve got the wrong gal!”

Yet Gabriel gently admonishes her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30) This was no accident. This wasn’t a lottery drawing. The wise and sovereign God of the universe hand-selected Mary because He found her favorable.

What was it about Mary God found so favorable? Her visit to Elizabeth sheds significant light on just who Mary was.

And Mary said:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy.

• Luke 1:46-49 (emphasis added)

Mary had a heart of humility and she had a heart of worship. For centuries God would speak through the prophets to his people. Israel was repeatedly found to be prideful and idolatrous. Time after time God would warn against their manipulative sacrifices and hypocritical hearts. In Mary, Heaven had found what was favorable. Mary was a woman who was unassuming and thoughtful of others before herself. She was a woman whose heart was bent toward joyful expressions of adoration of Yahweh, her Heavenly Father. This was very favorable to God.

God uses and magnifies the truly humble because they will glory in Jesus – not themselves. It was Mary’s soul that glorified the Lord – not just her lips. Deep down in the wellspring of her heart was a genuine love for God that superseded everything. When you behold the beauty and majesty of God the way Mary did, you can’t help but be humbled by His presence.

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WEEK TWO REFLECTIONS

Do you find the people and places God used to usher in the Incarnation surprising? Why or why not?

Lowly shepherds found Jesus in a borrowed stable in humble Bethlehem proclaiming what the angels had told them. God chose the humblest of scenarios for the Messiah to arrive. What can we learn about God and His character from this?

How does the world around us seem to value humility and service?

Read Mark 10:44-45. How do Jesus’ birth and ministry relate?

If we want to be used by God in unique and powerful ways we start by examining our hearts. What are our motivations? Where do our affections lie? Do we see pride and idolatry or humility and worship?

RESPONSE

As you make your list of people to buy gifts for, include someone who would never expect to receive a gift from you. As you do this, consider the joy you feel in blessing them and consider the love and grace in God’s heart as He sent His Son to die for sinners.

Advent Week One | Week One

The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

See, the virgin will become pregnant
and give birth to a son,
and they will name him Immanuel,
which is translated “God is with us.”

• Matthew 1:18-23

When we read Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth we usually skip the first 17 verses. After all, when you see a lengthy genealogy, a biblical record of ancestry, it might seem a bit boring and less than useful. Ancient cultural nuances get lost on those of us living in today’s modern age. However, when displayed in their proper context, they are quite fascinating – even beautiful.

In ancient times your lineage was incredibly important. It determined much about your prospects for success in life. In many cases it determined privilege and opportunities. Your family history was everything. This is what makes the family history of Jesus so significant. In Matthew’s recording of Jesus’ family tree the names of four women are listed. Their placement in the record of birth is anything but incidental.

Tamar. You can read her sordid, R-rated story in Genesis 38. In short, this Gentile woman is deceived and left as an outcast by one of Jacob’s sons – Judah. Wounded and hurt, she disguises herself as a prostitute and sleeps with Judah – becoming pregnant with Perez, one of Jesus’ ancient forefathers.

Rahab. Unlike Tamar, Rahab was a prostitute by profession. This Gentile woman lied to the authorities in Jericho to protect the Israelite spies. As a result, God graciously spares her life and she becomes the mother to a Godly man named Boaz.

Ruth. She was another gentile woman born in the pagan nation of Moab which was founded through the incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughters. Ruth was a widowed foreigner with no right to marry an Israelite – much less a noble Israelite. However, by God’s grace she became Boaz’s wife and eventually the grandmother of King David.

Bathsheba. Although not mentioned by name in Matthew, we recognize her by the description “wife of Uriah”. David committed adultery and abused his power. His spiral culminated in the murder of his trusted soldier, Uriah. David took Bathsheba as his wife, but she lost her child giving birth. Eventually, they had a son named Solomon and Bathsheba became an ancestor to the Messiah.

What is the purpose of recording these women’s names and thereby their stories? It is to show us the genealogy of Jesus is so much more than just a list of names. Jesus’ ancestry is a testimony of grace. It is a message of redemption. It is proof that Jesus didn’t come to ‘call the righteous, but sinners.’ (Matt. 9:13) It shows us that grace empowers us to make beauty out of ashes. In recording the stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, Matthew reveals to us the purpose behind Advent: Grace. This is the Advent (the coming) of Grace:

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his names Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

The Advent season is oftentimes accompanied by Black Friday madness, seasonal business, materialism, bad attitudes and obnoxious family members. When you are tempted to self-righteously proclaim that the world is missing the reason for the season, remember this: The purpose for the season is sinners. This is what makes the Advent of Grace so extraordinary.

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WEEK ONE REFLECTIONS

Does Jesus’ lineage surprise you?

Reflect on the goodness and grace of God to not only rescue undeserving sinners, but restore them as part of His redemptive story.

How has God’s grace been evident in your life?

The way Jesus was born reveals so much about God’s character. What are some attributes you see in God from the Advent story?

RESPONSE

Who can you show unusual grace to this Advent season?

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah’s beautiful prophecy foretold a promise 700 years in the making. Though the world was dark and hope was fleeting, joy was coming. Though life was hard and toilsome, rest was coming. Though sin had enslaved, a rescuer was coming. A child, like no other, would be born. A Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace was coming. A Savior was on His way. This is the promise of Advent.

Advent comes from a Latin word meaning ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’. For centuries, Christians have reflected upon the first Advent – Jesus’s arrival as Messiah and the second Advent when Jesus will come as King.

Traditionally, the Advent season occurs in the weeks leading up to Christmas. There are a variety of ways in which people have celebrated the season. Some have lit candles on a wreath or stand, reflecting on the imagery of Jesus as the Light of the World. (John 1:4-9; 8-12) Others have used a window calendar, usually made with twenty-four “windows” you open.

No matter how you celebrate the season, what is important is the opportunity to reflect on the Savior who came to fulfill God’s promise of rescue and redemption.

INSTRUCTIONS

Each Sunday we’ll publish a personal advent reflection. Each Wednesday we’ll publish a group or family reflection. The goal of these weekly reflections is to stir your heart and mind as you reflect on our Savior. Additionally, the family reflections require very little preparation, but are good tools for discipling your children and sharing the Gospel.

One of the most important things this guide can do is cause us to slow down, pause and reflect on the birth of Jesus. The Christmas season can be so busy and hectic, the most important aspects of the season get lost. Make a plan to spend time reflecting on Jesus and the promise of a Savior who came to overcome sin and death forever.

Each family reflection includes a scripture, song, activity, and prayer. The songs can be found on the Fellowship West Advent Spotify playlist. These are intended to be suggestions to help get your family involved, not a to-do list. Be creative and find what works for your family.