Contents of this page:

• December 1 - The Antiphons
• December 2 - The Census
• December 3 - Discipleship insights through pregnant women
• December 4 - It all began when Mary said "yes" - but what if she had said "no"?
• December 5 - Our Second Antiphon - Lord and Ruler
• December 6 - Magnificat--Mary’s Song
• December 7 - More about Mary
• December 8 - God in a diaper
• December 9 - Our Third Antiphon - Root of Jesse
• December 10 - Joseph's dilemma - what child is this?
  
  
• December 11 - 20
• December 21 - 25

Welcome to a daily offering of Advent Devotionals 2000! Co-authored by God’s Gnome and Surprised by Joy. Permission granted for non-profit use with attribution.

Within these Advent meditations we include eight Antiphons, first used by the Church in the 8th and 9th centuries. They are based on various titles used for the Christ and are scripturally-based short prayers, sometimes sung by choirs, sometimes repeated as responses during the services. Just as the season of Advent looks forward with anticipation to the Coming of the Messiah, God's Anointed One, so the Antiphons speak poignantly of the deep hope and urgency within the breast of the Church for the second coming of Christ. Our heart cries out "O Come" as we await our Redeemer's return.

"Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares." "You are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - our righteousness, holiness and redemption."
Proverbs 1: 20 (ch. 8, ch.9) , 1 Corinthians 1:30

O WISDOM, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: COME, and teach us the way of prudence. Amen.

Wisdom is the first of the titles attributed to the Christ in the Antiphons. In the Apocryphal literature of the Old Testament Wisdom is referred to as female. Wisdom speaks of herself in Proverbs 8: 22: "I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began." She has waited from our beginnings for humanity to accept the gifts she offers. In Proverbs 8: 3-4 we read: "She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in of the doors. Unto you, both men and women, I call; and my voice is to all humanity." It is from Wisdom we gain instruction and training, which can be utilized as discipline. She also offers understanding and insight, good sense, practical wisdom and discretion, together with a knowledge and understanding of God. We appear to live in a world in which Wisdom seems to be ignored or forgotten. Could you do with a deepening knowledge and understanding of God? I know for a fact that my life would be changed if Wisdom appeared and instructed me in the ways spoken of in the Book of Proverbs. What if Wisdom were to be revealed to world leaders? Can you imagine the impact on nations, such as Ireland and the former nation of Yugoslavia, which are torn apart by internal feuding? Perhaps there would be less pain and more care shown for the generation of children of school age if discipline became an integral part of our daily lives and expectations.

Do we await with expectant minds the return of Wisdom to our world, to our lives and to our very hearts? In the closing verses of chapter eight of Proverbs we discover that Wisdom is available for those who wait daily for her appearance, watching at the posts of her doors, as would a lover or a suitor. This description brings to our recall the words contained in the Song of Songs 5:5 and 6:3; "I rise up to open to my beloved; and my hands dripped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock" ... "I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine." Are we as hungry for the sight of Wisdom as we are for the return of an earthly lover? In Zephaniah chapter 8 verse 17 the prophet speaks of God coming like a young man in love, singing and dancing; "He rejoices with happy song," "He dances with shouts of joy because of you." God allows his people to glimpse the joy they bring to the depths of his being. Do we long to hear the sound of Wisdom’s voice breaking through the clamour that often surrounds us? Do we too ache with anticipation as we contemplate the return of Jesus, and the peace that his return will provide? Today let us join with choirs of old as we pray and sing:

O Sapientia,
O Wisdom,

quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti,
who proceeds from the mouth of the Most High,

attingens a fine usque ad finem fortiter,
reaching out mightily from end to end,

suaviterque disponens omnia:
and sweetly arranging from all things:

veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
Come to teach us the way of peace.

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David." Luke 2:1-4

The United States of America recently completed a twenty-first century national census. It was critically important for all people to be counted, recognizing minorities and special needs for governmental funding and proposed legislation.

Many gay and lesbian affirming Christian churches even preached on the vital need to be seen, heard, counted and identified in order to change many unjust and cruel homophobic laws. These courageous ministers clearly understood unjust laws promoted fear and bigotry, while denying sexual minorities basic human rights and protections in America.

Some citizens received different forms in the mail for the census. These forms asked for some very personal information. Some citizens angrily refused to answer them, based on their distrust of the government and a desire for privacy. The government hired temporary employees to go door to door, seeking reluctant citizens that had refused to answer their census forms. Those refusing to cooperate were issued financial fines.

The census Joseph experienced in first century Israel was a much different experience. He had no choice but to travel an arduous and dangerous road to his hometown to register. There was no other alternative but to bring his Mary, so great with God’s child. Joseph obeyed the mandated Roman census law. The consequences were severe for those refusing to cooperate. The Roman government did not make exceptions for hardship cases among the peasant class.

Because of Joseph’s obedience to civil law, we see the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. Bethlehem was the town where king David was born (1 Samuel 17:12; 20:6). It was where the ancient prophets expected the long awaited Messiah to be born.

"But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel" (Micah 5:2).

As we approach Bethlehem in today’s reflection, it’s good to remember that God has already counted and included us as dearly loved people. So let’s prepare for Christmas with joyful celebration, secure in knowing we are valued, precious, cherished and beloved in God’s sight.

Prayer: God, not only have your counted us by name, but you even know the numbers of hairs on our head, and our deepest concerns and needs. You care deeply. Thank you for being so wonderful and loving. Amen.

"Nothing is impossible for God!" Luke 1:37

Have you ever experienced a visit from an angel? An unexpected angelic visit changed Mary’s life forever. Her response to the message then changed world history. She offers us rich insights on discipleship, spiritual leadership and spiritual success along with her older relative, Elizabeth.

The angel Gabriel gently informed Mary that God had a special mission for her. She was to be impregnated by the Holy Spirit with a child that would be called, "Son of God." And to reassure this young and unmarried teenager, the angel then revealed that a distant relative by the name of Elizabeth was also pregnant. Elizabeth had long been barren. It was known that she was beyond the age of childbearing. But Gabriel reminded Mary; "nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary’s response to God was "yes." "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel left.

Mary gives us lessons in discipleship. She immediately sought out Elizabeth. Perhaps she realized she needed the older woman’s mentoring. Perhaps Mary intuitively understood she needed a like-minded spiritual friend who would encourage her in this unusual and possibly life-threatening call from God. Young as she was, she understood that she needed human companionship to obey God’s unusual and inconvenient call in her life. Elizabeth would be a great blessing to her. And Mary would be a great blessing to Elizabeth.

Mary also offers us a picture of spiritual greatness. She was wise beyond her years in obeying God’s gracious leading in her life. She was God-sensitive. As she assented to this unusual call, she stepped out in quiet, unassuming spiritual leadership. She shows us how to live a new life in Christ from the moment of spiritual birth. She stepped out in the faith she had, knowing that God would provide one day at a time. If God called, God would provide. She obeyed and was willing to trust God with her present and future. She didn’t know the entire story, but stepped out in faith with what she had. She knew God would be enough.

Finally, this unusual teenager teaches us about spiritual success. She heard God’s quiet call privately. But she immediately sought out community and affirmation through her relative, Elizabeth. She needed to share her remarkable story with someone who would rejoice with her, encourage her through the obstacles, and spiritually bless her. She needed the older woman’s strength, wisdom, experience in God and life, and friendship. Spiritual success is found through moments of both solitude and community. That’s the way it is.

The spiritual walk needs accountability, obedience, encouragement and nurture. Disciples are made, not born. It takes time, effort, training, companions, learning, practice and faith. Discipleship is a lifetime learning process. And God will use us to mentor others in their spiritual lives.

For the next thirty-three years, Mary would study and learn from her remarkable child, God’s Son, Jesus Christ. She offers us profound lessons in discipleship through her life experiences. Consider studying her life through the gospels. She has much to teach us about obeying God’s call.

Prayer: Teach us, God, about discipleship through these lessons from young Mary and older Elizabeth. Amen.

Luke 1: 38: Mary said, "I am the Lord’s servant. Whatever he says, I accept."

For a young teenager Mary showed remarkable courage. The year of betrothal was considered legally as binding as if a woman had been married. We know that the punishment for adultery was death by stoning, and it is inconceivable that an unwed, pregnant, betrothed teenager would suffer less than this. In fact, we read that Joseph’s first thoughts were to spare Mary public humiliation, so he planned to divorce her secretly. I don’t believe Mary was over-awed by the presence of an angel, or that she gave her consent without a thought of the consequences. I believe she had faith enough that God would care for her and her unborn child, in spite of the worst punishment that could be dealt out by fellow citizens.

What if she had refused her co-operation? God never manipulates us so that we will obey God’s will and fit into a divine plan. We know prophecy had foreordained the birthplace of the coming Messiah, together with his ancestry from Jesse and David, and that his mother would be a virgin. Mary’s purity, together with the demands of the census, provided the circumstances foretold by the prophets of old. Yet, if she had been unwilling to bear this child, history would have been written quite differently.

From time to time we all face difficult choices, choices that no one can make for us. Sometimes, like Mary, we know that as the result of our choice our circumstances will change dramatically. Perhaps we are considering a new job, which involves shift work and will therefore curtail our social life. Maybe we are thinking about moving to a different town or country, and we know this will mean leaving old friends behind and starting anew. New relationships can alter our lives dramatically. In times of national emergency - fire, flood or avalanche - most people respond to the needs of the moment and offer their skills where ever they are needed. During times of conflict, whether global warfare or civil unrest, we are faced with the necessity of keeping ourselves informed of the current situation and able to respond quickly when advised by those in charge of our security. Suppose we chose to rebel and say "no" to lawful commands in times of war, or in times of natural disasters? We would be putting our own lives in jeopardy, together with the lives of those who eventually had to evacuate us. Our choices are always important, and in this life we may never be aware how they ultimately will affect the lives of others.

If Mary had chosen the easy way, the way by which she would not place her reputation and perhaps life in the hands of the religious and moral guardians of her society, the birth of Jesus would have been delayed by who knows just how long. With Jewish rebellions against the Roman occupation force continuing, Jerusalem would probably still have been destroyed, as it was just a generation or so after Jesus’ death. Who then would have been in Bethlehem at the moment their child was born? What changes could have been rung before humanity was able to hear the message of God’s love for all people?

It is when Mary’s example of obedience to God’s will is emulated we discover great new developments in the world around us. The social agencies and individuals who tend the needs of the poor, oppressed, ill and disenfranchised all find their source and strength as they respond with their "yes" to God’s appeals.

Prayer: Loving God, teach us all to place our faith in you, knowing with confidence that as we answer "yes" to your call, you will be there with us in every situation, supporting and encouraging us. Amen.

God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers - the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - has sent me to you.’ This is my name for ever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation." "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will reign over Israel, whose origins are of old, from ancient times."
Exodus 3:15, Micah 5:2 (also quoted in Matt 2:6)

Throughout history as recorded both in our nations’ annals and in Scripture we read tales of heroic leaders, those who have led their people through perils and hardship, and have often given their own lives as they have sought to resolve conflict. But leaders alone do not fight battles, or we should have single hand-to-hand combat to resolve differences. Leaders need faithful and obedient followers, those who will take orders without question, yet who are skilled enough to take command when a leader falters or falls. When God calls out people, be they Moses or Mary, on whom the future of a nation or indeed the world depends, God expects obedience - not blind, unreasoned obedience such as would be given by a robot whose buttons were being pushed - but obedience given because in our interaction with God we have learned to love and trust our Creator.

Size does not influence the mind of God, any more than wealth or power. To Moses, hiding as a wanted man among the flocks of his employer, God gave the command to lead Israel. To the small town of Bethlehem God gave the tremendous promise that it would be the birthplace of the future ruler of Israel. Furthermore in verse five of this chapter of Micah we learn that this ruler will be the peace of God. The coming Messiah, the mighty Lord who is to rule the earth, will bring with him the gift of peace. Our Lord and Ruler is also to be our Redeemer, the one who pays for the damage we have caused in our own life and in the lives of others. To those who obey his call to reconciling love he brings the blessing of peace, that deep inward peace which will endure no matter how difficult external circumstances appear. Indeed each moment of our lives will be spent on holy ground interacting with our God.

God approaches us in many ways, in dreams, in both Scripture and other inspired works as we read, in the words of a friend, and even in the attitude of those who would do us harm. We speak to God in prayer, and in every action and thought of our daily lives. We need no signs to proclaim that we are faithful servants of the living God; our lives are our witness. There may be times when we cannot see our Lord and Ruler because of the dust of battle being fought around us, but we have our instructions, our orders, and God relies on us to carry out the work of spreading the Gospel of Love. Our hearts long for the battle to be finished for all time, and for the day we come face to face with Jesus, the promised Lord and Ruler of this world and the next. Until then we daily pray for his return in the words of the second antiphon:

O Adonai,
O Mighty Lord,

et dux domus Israël,
and leader of the house of Israel,

qui Moyse in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
who appeared to Moses in the burning bush,

et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
and on Sinai gave him the law.

veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
Come to redeem us with outstretched arm.

"And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed."
Luke 1:46-48

Christmas will soon be upon us. The days are filled with thoughts of shopping and evenings bring invitations to Christmas parties and caroling opportunities. My childhood neighbors often went caroling throughout the neighborhood before returning for hot chocolate and soup. Caroling in North America’s Midwest was not for the faint of heart. Frost covered the windowpanes and snow crunched beneath our feet. My mother always reminded us to wear our mittens and long underwear. We would visit and sing for the elderly, the shut-ins and local nursing homes and hospitals. I’m sure we sometimes sounded dreadful, but people smiled at our efforts. We were a blessing for some and a tribulation for others, I’m sure!

On the other hand, the mother of Jesus has been a blessing for every generation. Many of her words have been put to music. Today’s verses are now a famous hymn of praise, known as the Magnificat. In the Latin Vulgate translation, the opening word is Magnificat; means "glorifies." This humble peasant Jewish girl was a woman of deep faith and vast knowledge of the scriptures. Many commentators and Bible study notes will encourage readers to read Mary’s song as a psalm, and compare it to the song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10).

Young Mary was a virgin engaged to Joseph. During her engagement, she had an extraordinary visit by the angel Gabriel. Gabriel had been specifically sent by God to give Mary a personal message. Mary had found great favor in God’s sight and was divinely chosen to carry a child that would change world history. She would conceive through the Holy Spirit and call her son, Jesus. And her initial response to Gabriel’s visit is recorded earlier in this chapter, with the famous words; "I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said." She understood that nothing was impossible for God.

Mary immediately left to spend several months with her aged, pregnant relative Elizabeth. Elizabeth was thrilled to see Mary and blessed her. After her blessing, Mary spoke the wonderful words of the Magnificat.

This remarkable young woman shows us how to delight in God, her Savior. Mary held God in high esteem. She rejoiced in God and praised God for such personal intervention in her life. Mary was eager for God to use her in a miraculous way.

Mary’s response can be ours. We are actually created to bless God. Without a personal relationship with the Holy One, we are incomplete. We need to bless, praise and glorify God on a daily basis. Praising God is good for our souls.

Prayer: We glorify and rejoice in you, God, our Savior! Amen.

"For the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation." Luke 1:49-50

Mary was a remarkable teenager. She clearly understood God’s holiness and might. God was her awesome God! But this youthful woman of faith has something else to teach us. She understood God is merciful and personal. God sees us. God does great things for worshipping people.

Mary’s words offer us insight into her personal life of faith. She had no idea of what was ahead, but she knew God was in control and held her future. This humble, poverty stricken peasant woman offers us her experience in God. God had done great things in her life. And she was willing to do the humanely impossible for God.

Perhaps for Christmas, we could follow her example of praise and worship. Her testimony can be ours. God is willing and eager to do great things in our lives. Praising God is a good way to begin. Through praise, we experience the tender mercies of God in everyday life. Mary knew that God’s mercies are new every morning. God would provide everything she would need. Great is God’s faithfulness.

Prayer: Holy, merciful, mighty and deeply personal God, do great things for us too! Amen.

"He (Joseph) went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:5-7

I have participated in many Christmas Eve services over the past forty years. The most powerful service was while serving on a US Navy ammunition ship in the Persian Gulf. I was the ship’s chaplain. This would be the first Christmas away from home for many of the young men and women onboard.

Several of us secretly labored to make it a memorable evening for them. We worked months in advance, thoughtfully preparing for Christmas. Every sailor would be included and would receive a Christmas stocking as his or her gift when they awoke on Christmas day.

Several churches from America had mailed us cookies and fudge for the sailors. Each piece had to be individually wrapped before we stuffed Christmas stockings. Before the shipboard Christmas Eve service, we carefully hung the Christmas stockings by each sailor’s sleeping area.

I will always remember that particular Christmas Eve. We were thousands of miles away from our loved ones in unfriendly waters. It was a time before email and cellular phones. All we had was each other. We gathered in the ship’s cafeteria for a time of Christmas caroling. I had written a simple play and the commanding officer had a major part in it. The young sailors sang, laughed and seemed to enjoy everything. I remember the looks on their faces as they crowded into the area. Suddenly Santa Claus arrived with gifts. The sailors were delighted. Then we lit candles and listened to the timeless and beloved Christmas story. We closed the Christmas Eve service with singing. Years later, I received a letter from one of those sailors. He wrote, "Dear Chaplain, I should have thanked you then, but didn’t. I want you to know that you gave me one of the best Christmases in my life. Thank you for all your hard work."

Compared to Mary and Joseph, my Christmas Eve was quite easy. Mary labored for hours in a small and dirty manger without even a midwife. All she had was anxious Joseph who refused to abandon her. You had to be there to appreciate poor Joseph’s stress level. Here baby Jesus was born.

The Prince of peace and light to the nations was born in obscurity and poverty. God’s show and tell was then wrapped in swaddling cloths. Mary was no longer great with child. She now had a great child, God in a diaper. Perhaps we should enjoy a pregnant pause and linger with God in a diaper. How like God to dwell among us as a newborn baby.

Prayer: God, bless us with Christmas joy as we remember the first Christmas with gratitude. Amen.

"In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse will stand as a banner of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his place of rest will be glorious." "Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’"
Isaiah 11:10 (quoted in Romans 15:12) , Revelation 5:5

In today’s reading the air of expectancy inherent in the Antiphons reflects the joyful anticipation we experience throughout Advent. Christ, by whose life and death our salvation was purchased, stands as tall as the tallest tree in any of earth’s forests, and is imposing as the banner or ensign under which all nations will gather proclaimed as people of God. Calvary was not the end for Jesus, but it was the end for sin; Jesus rose triumphant and speaks to the hearts of people of all nations in all generations. Advent reminds us of God’s gift of Jesus, Calvary presents us with the gift of our salvation.

At Easter the empty tomb heralded the glorious news that Christ has risen and will come again to claim us. Our hearts long for this time, the time of rest and peace prophesied by Isaiah, when we take our places with those saints who have already served their term on earth, and have returned in triumph to God. Scripture leaves us no doubt that those who have been purchased by Jesus from "every tribe and language and people and nation" will rally to his banner. At Christmas across the world a time of peace is proclaimed, a time when hostilities pause, so that all people may wonder at the gift of God in our midst.

The lives of those who prayerfully await the return of the Root of Jesse are marked by hope, joy, serenity and power. For them there is no situation that is hopeless, for to God’s care every situation has been committed. They experience the joy that bubbles up from within, the joy which finds its source in Christ’s springs of salvation. Those who are assured that God is truly in control can free themselves from inner tensions and from undue concern about external events. The power of Christ centered men and women is not demonstrated in authority over others, but in lives which reflect God’s power constantly working out holiness within each person. No earthly king, emperor, president or prime minister will ever acquire the power which Jesus wields as he stands silently as God’s holding banner while people of every country respond and move swiftly to take their places by his side. Today let us raise our voices in joyful prayer in the words of the third antiphon:

O Radix Jesse,
O Root of Jesse,

qui stas in signum populorum,
who stands as a sign for the people,

super quem continebunt reges os suum,
kings stand silent in your presence,

quem gentes deprecabuntur:
whom the nations will worship:

veni ad liberandum nos,
Come to set us free,

jam noli tardare.
Put it off no longer.

Matthew 1: 18-19: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly."

Many times in our lives we hear of events that seem to be beyond the limits of probability. To someone living at the turn of the twentieth century the concept of space exploration, humans living in space-ships which orbit the earth, television and computers would all have seemed improbable dreams. Yet for us today, and especially for children born now, these are all commonplace events. Medical break-throughs are made often when researchers are so convinced that the seemingly impossible is really possible that they will work long hours, and sometimes without payment, to prove their theories. Vaccines now in use have sometimes been tested on their inventors, who were so sure of the capabilities of these that they were prepared to put their own lives at risk to demonstrate their value.

Joseph, when confronted by the news of Mary's pregnancy, must have felt he was hearing a tale with very limited probability. Joseph loved and respected Mary so much that, rather than exposing her to the authorities as being pregnant with a child not his own, he planned to send her somewhere safe until the child was born. Mary with her youthful simplicity had told him of the visit of the angel who declared the child would be conceived by the action of the Holy Spirit. To the Jews of that time the Holy Spirit was connected with the work of God in creation. In Hebrew the word for breath and spirit is the same, so that the breath of God which provided life was also identified as the Spirit of God. In fact the Jews believed that in the birth of every child there were three partners. These were the father, the mother and the Spirit of God. Therefore no child could be born without the Spirit.

However, even with concepts such as these common to his day, Joseph could not have been convinced that God working within Mary’s body actually conceived the child. He must have recalled each of the friends and the visitors their home had known over the previous few weeks, as he sought to discover a human who could be possibly be the father of this child. How often do we pour over the events of previous weeks as we attempt to make sense of circumstances that have burst forth into our lives? To an ordinary man such as Joseph, there had to be an ordinary solution to the problem of the missing parent. But just who could it be? Could it have been a customer who frequented his carpenter's shop? How could Mary appear so calm and complacent as she went about her daily duties, knowing that the child she carried bore no relationship to him? There must have been many nights he lay awake struggling with the implications of this unexpected pregnancy. Finally his mind was made up, Mary must be sent away, as so many of our young women are, to a place where she was unknown to give birth to this child. Like so many of us, he could not at first believe the message of God, a message which challenged all his previous conceptions.

Prayer: God of infinite miracles and possibilities, teach us to refrain from attempting to fit you into small boxes or definitions simply because we cannot envision further that our own experiences. Amen.