Advent Devotions 2017
Day Twenty-one
Christ
December 23, 2017
What Child is This?
We are lighting the final Advent candle and awaiting the lighting of the Christ candle. During this in-between time – between the long wait of Advent and the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas, we stop to ask ourselves what the familiar carol asks us:
“What child is this who laid to rest
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherd’s watch are keeping?”
In pondering this question – what child is this? – I began to reflect on how Christ has entered my life:
Jesus Christ…
…watched over a small child as she interacted with the church from her earliest hours. Christ named her, called her, and dedicated her to a church family.
…embraced her small, childlike faith as she learned to believe and accepted Christ’s salvation and plan for her life.
…encouraged her as she felt God’s call on her teenage life to ministry, even as she faced obstacles and challenges.
…loved her through trials and struggles as a young adult.
…graced her with good professors and pastors who loved and supported her as she sought to embrace God’s will for her life.
…provided her a church home with whom she could learn and grow in ministry, and for which she is profoundly grateful.
This child in the manger interrupted our world, creating lasting change for the Gentiles and Jews alike. This birth was a human child, but also an inbreaking of God’s action among humanity. Thus, when I think about who Christ is, I remember God’s work in the lives of all God’s children, mine included.
What child is this in your life?
How is Emmanuel, God With Us, present as you look back over your year, your life?
Christ is indeed the King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, the Holy One, the Messiah, God’s only Son. But Christ is foremost God’s entrance into our lives, God’s deep love and compassion for humanity – all of us.
May the God who cares so deeply to place God’s self among us in the Person of Jesus Christ continue to enter your life in profound ways.
Have a Blessed Christmas, friends!
Written by Libby Grammer
Art by Sharon Seward
