Contents of this page:

• December 1 - 10
• December 11 - 20
  
  
• December 21 - The journey and Joseph's concerns
• December 22 - Our Seventh Antiphon - Emmanuel
• December 23 - An innkeeper's reflection - no room at the inn
• December 24 - Releasing God from the womb
• December 25 - Christmas Day miracle-heaven on earth!

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.

"He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." Luke 2: 5

The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was eighty miles (or one hundred and thirty kilometres). This is not far by car on our super highways or expressways, but Joseph and Mary were not travelling on roads such as we know, and they had no car for transport. Ahead of them lay eighty miles of dusty, stony road, and their transport was restricted to just one donkey. The road was packed with pilgrims like themselves, all jostling each other, all trying to make the best time, and most with children who fretted about the heat and the distance. Some children walked, dragging sticks in the dust, others whined for a rest and a drink. Heat and sweat and the complaints of animals filled the atmosphere. Mothers and fathers were becoming more irritable every step of this forced journey. As Jewish people were not part of the Roman Empire, they had to return to their hometowns to be counted in a census after which their taxes could be assessed. Not one person relished the thought of handing over the little cash they had to their Roman occupation authorities.

Joseph had more to occupy his mind than just taxes, heat and the dirt. It was drawing near to the end of Mary’s pregnancy, hardly a time for her to be jolting along these roads. He looked anxiously again at the clothing bundles he had placed strategically to offer her the greatest comfort he could on this journey. At their home in Nazareth he could have asked the local women to assist with the impending birth, but who was available to ask when all were strangers on this road? She should have been allowed to stay at home and rest, yet they had no option but to follow the edict and go to Bethlehem, traditional home of his tribe. There was no value in attempting to hurry the donkey’s footsteps, for such an attempt could result in a jarring break of gait, which would leave Mary even more uncomfortable.

Without wanting to alarm her by seeming to be over-concerned, Joseph kept a close and regular watch on Mary’s health. His chief concern was in case the babe she carried was to be born during the journey. What help could he find for her, where would they stop, how could they care for a baby born by the roadside? He offered her water from the water skin he carried, and watched her slight gasps as the baby moved within her. As a carpenter he had achieved quite a reputation, and at work his hands moved with skilled ease across the timber grain from many trees. But birthing was different, and he had neither experience nor confidence he could assist his teenage bride during her labour.

Like so many of us, Joseph was in a situation for which he had no skill or training and, try as he might, he simply could not change circumstances so that the woman he loved could be safe and secure. So as the journey progressed he walked fully attentive by her side, encouraging her and being prepared for any change in her condition. Each and every tiny scrap of comfort that was possible to be obtained from the careful positioning of their belongings Joseph offered as a token of his love. Sometimes, though it may seem that what we have to offer in difficult situations is of little value, it is the steadfastness of our love and care, which really make the world of difference to other.

Prayer: Loving God, encourage us to do whatever we can when we truly feel out of our depth and useless. Teach us that there is no such thing as an insignificant gesture of love in your eyes. Amen.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel." "‘I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty." "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel" - which means "God with us."
Isaiah 7:14; 8:8, Haggai 2:7; Matthew 1: 23

As Christmas dawns upon our world and we celebrate the birth of a child born to a virgin, we recall the miracle of God enfleshed, for it was not with the blast of trumpets heralding the approach of an oncoming army, nor was it with thunder and lightning, that the appearance of God on earth was marked. Instead to poor shepherds tending their flocks the message came, brought by choirs of angels, that God was with us, one with us, Emmanuel. Across the continent of Europe, a group who watched for omens in the skies discovered the Star of David, which they had followed many months, had stilled its movement.

How often we have felt alone, whether at night or in strange surroundings or circumstances. Sometimes when we are parted from those we love and those who sustain us, a sense of isolation causes our hearts to ache. To us the Lord our God has provided a sign, for with the birth of Jesus, the glory of heaven over-shone the face of this planet. From a building destined to provide shelter for working animals, the God of love captured the hearts of humanity. No longer could God be regarded as separate from us, no longer portrayed as distant and therefore unaware of our condition, for with the birth of Jesus, the promise of Emmanuel was fulfilled. He for whom the nations of the world had longed and had desired with their hearts and minds, he whom the angels worshipped had truly become "God with us." Never again need we feel lonely, for Jesus is with us wherever we are, with us in every situation, at every moment of our lives.

Now as we picture anew that humble stable, and the mother and father surrounding the infant God with their arms and love, our hearts remember again the promise that Emmanuel will truly come again, and will usher in God’s dominion. In humble penitence we turn to Christ who has saved us from the consequences of our wrongdoing and unkind thoughts. We approach the Babe of Bethlehem knowing that love such as is demonstrated here has forgiven us, and we are welcomed into the arms of our heavenly parent. From the Babe of Bethlehem to Calvary our eyes move, and from Calvary to the new manifestation of Christ’s glory as he returns triumphant as Ruler of all the nations, whose law is written in the language of selfless love. And our hearts cry out in expectation in the words sung for so many centuries:

O Emmanuel,
O Emmanuel,

Rex et legifer noster,
Our King and Lawgiver,

expectatio gentium,
the one awaited by the gentiles,

et Salvator earum:
and their Saviour:

veni ad salvandum nos,
Come to save us,

Domine, Deus noster.
Lord, our God.

"She laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

Dusk settled like a cloak around Bethlehem, the town whose name meant "The House of Bread". And bread was needed that night to assuage the hunger of pilgrims who had arrived to be counted in the census. Every available inch of space at the inn was packed with foot weary travellers and their animals. Now with dusk came relief, for none would be so foolish to travel along that grey limestone ridge at night. Servants sped from family to family, ensuring that each had sufficient water to cleanse the dust from their bodies and wash the dust of the road from their throats.

Just as the innkeeper moved to take an inventory of his wines, one servant scurried in with the news that more travellers needed accommodation. The innkeeper sighed, there was simply no more room, those who had arrived during the daylight hours now occupied every room. Obviously this was a situation he needed to handle himself so he went outside to speak to the new arrivals. There they were, like shadows in the half-light. The man, tall and strong, while his wife ... oh no, this woman was already in labour. The innkeeper thought for a moment of his own warm bed, but he had already given that to an elderly couple. Where then could he find space for this couple?

The rules of hospitality were clearly spelled out in Scripture, strangers were to be treated as family members, and for innkeepers there was no exemption to this rule. Somewhere, somehow, he had to find room for them. The only place left was the open courtyard, and that was completely unprotected from the heavy dews that settled the dust early each morning. As he worried, the husband gently assisted his wife down from the back of their small donkey. This poor beast was as exhausted as its owners, and could obviously go no further without a rest. The innkeeper thought of his own livestock, settled down for the night in a cave towards the rear of the inn, enjoying the sweet hay he had provided.

The cave! Of course there was the cave. He spoke quietly to the man explaining that other travellers returning for the census filled all his rooms. The husband started to appeal for a place for his wife, if not for himself, but was interrupted by the innkeeper. There was a space, not really fit for humans, but at least it was out of the weather and the straw had been replaced daily with fresh new sweet hay. The innkeeper was almost beside himself, how could he send the young couple to a stable; especially when their baby was obviously due to make an appearance. The woman looked at him with her wide brown eyes and gently thanked him for the provision of this space and the privacy it provided. Calling his servants, the innkeeper supervised the relocation of the asses, cows and horses to a place just outside the cave. Just as quickly all the hay in the cave was replaced and refreshed. Quietly and gently the husband supported his wife as they walked to the cave, their donkey following at their heels.

Servants quickly brought a skin of water for the couple, and oil lamps to light the cave. The donkey, freed of its reins, joined the other animals around the water trough, took a deep draught, paused and wondered. And, among the thickly piled straw, with their cloaks spread as blankets, Joseph settled his wife, Mary, in the stable, for there was no room at the inn.

Prayer: Loving God, we have crammed so much into our lives, books to read, friends to meet, music, art and sport, we have no time left over. No time to offer you, no room left in our days. Speak to our hearts today, reminding us that it is when we pause with you, before the momentum of the day takes hold, that our days reflect your presence. Each night let us long to share that day’s events with you. May our love and joy affirm that there is MUCH room for you in our days. Amen.

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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…"Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is the Messiah, the LORD. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." Luke 2:7-12

I have been involved in many births as a former nurse. Poor Joseph has all my sympathy. Was he afraid for his wife and the unborn child during the labor? He probably never imagined having to be Mary’s midwife. In Joseph’s time, there were no childbirth classes for husbands. His young wife had to deliver her child without a local midwife, without medical assistance or running water, in a dirty manger with the animals. Even though it was not his child, Joseph refused to abandon Mary in her hours of greatest need. He would do the best he could with the help of God. In my opinion, Joseph was a hero.

I imagine he prayed quite a bit and agonized with Mary through each and every labor pain. I imagine they both cried exhausted and exhilarated tears of great joy when the child was born, messy and wet from the birth process. And Mary wrapped her firstborn son in swaddling clothes after Joseph cut the umbilical cord, releasing God from the womb.

Joseph was chosen with the honor to release God from the womb. God would now walk among us in human form (John 1:14-18; 1 John 1:1-4). World history and Joseph’s life changed forever, as blood spurted from the severed umbilical cord. God could be touched, seen, smelled, experienced by all in the world through the babe in the manger. God was released from the womb.

Spiritual birth is messy. It can be scary and lonely. We may wonder with Joseph, where God is in all the mess. Joseph has many lessons to teach us. How has Joseph’s story blessed your meditation today?

Prayer: Dearest God, when all is not calm, bless us with the courage and faith of Joseph. Strengthen us in our moments of need; be with us in the messiness of new birth and life in this world. Amen.

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger." Luke 2:13-16

Merry Christmas! The little baby Jesus brought heaven on earth! A multitude of angels began joyous singing, praising God and blessing the earth with peace. After their heavenly concert, the angels disappeared back into the heavens. The humble shepherds who had been watching their flocks at night enthusiastically decided to rush to Bethlehem and see this Christmas miracle child. They hurried and searched until they found the exhausted mother and father with their newborn Christmas miracle baby. Heaven came to planet earth in a diaper.

God’s ways are often not our ways. The first visitors to see this cosmic miracle were humble and uneducated keepers of sheep at night. To them, the manger was a sacred place and a divine appointment. This babe in a manger, with no crib for his head, was God’s gift to the world. They were chosen above all others to see the Christ child first, before the rich and famous, the well educated and powerful. The shepherds were overwhelmed with joy, awe, and exhilaration.

The eager shepherds saw the miracle child and excitedly shared their story with all that would listen. All who heard their stories were amazed at God in their midst, God in a diaper. The shepherds returned to their flocks and responsibilities, joyfully glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.

And Mary, Mother of God, chosen above all women to birth this Christmas miracle child, treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. With Mary, I too treasure these words and ponder them in my heart.

Dear reader, these words are worth pondering as we unwrap our presents, enjoy our special dinners and festivities, families and friends. They are worth pondering long after Christmas is over. Treasure these words in your heart. Let them linger deep in your soul. You will be blessed beyond words.

My favorite glass figurine is an inexpensive and kneeling Santa Claus by the babe in the manger. The kneeling Santa helps me appreciate this Christmas day miracle of grace, God in a diaper. Yes, the only reason for the Christmas season is this miracle child, born in such lowly circumstances in an obscure, Bethlehem manger.

May this Christmas day miracle child and the image of a kneeling Santa bless you too, dear reader. May your Christmas be merry, bright with divine hope and love. May God’s peace bring heaven on earth into your home and heart today. And may the angels bless you in heavenly concert, singing "Glory to God in the highest, with peace on earth and goodwill."

Prayer: Thank you, wonderful God, for bringing us Christmas joy though a newborn babe. Help us sing your praises with the angels today. Amen.

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Seven Antiphons are usually sung in worship, but on are occasions eight, nine, and even twelve Antiphons are sung. From the Parisian rite has been chosen "O Pastor Israel" as our eighth Antiphon.

By Gods_Gnome@yahoo.com

"Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding." "‘I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,’ declares the Lord." "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations." "He says: … I will make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.’" "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." "I will place over them one shepherd."
Jeremiah 3: 15, 23:4; Isaiah 42:1, 49:6, 61; Ezekiel 34:23

The shepherds on the hills around Bethlehem that night, keeping their flocks safe from marauding dogs, reminiscent of the days when David and other shepherd lads watched over their flocks, illustrate the care and love with which the flocks are tended. To us God has promised such a shepherd, one who will claim all the nations as his inheritance (Psalm 82:8) as he comes to judge the earth. God’s justice will at last hold sway over the whole earth, and peace will be restored to the people of all nations. No longer will women and children dread and fear the sounds of warfare and the oppressive acts of the victors. No more will fields be burned, and forests destroyed during conflict.

We hear the voice of our Creator announcing that it is not enough that Israel shall be restored to her glory, and saved from ongoing conflict. No longer will Jewish people fear the sound of approaching footsteps which herald horrors of holocaust, of families separated, of torture and slow death. Instead, God’s chosen one, the Pastor of Israel, will shine as a guiding beacon, guiding the footsteps of all who seek out the pathway to God. From every nation and every culture, every age and every race, will come those who make their way to this light set high on a hill, where its beam cannot be diminished. Salvation is not reserved for a chosen few, the elite elected to be saints, but it is for each person. The cross is transformed into the brilliant light of God’s love reaching across the world, and reaching into the hearts of those who have wandered into darknes.

Those who have been isolated from their families, their churches, their friends; those who have been abandoned by shepherds charged with their care, those who have been locked in prisons of self-doubt and depression, all these shall be gathered into one flock. And there will be but one Shepherd. All who have been wounded by the thoughtless and careless actions or words of others, together with those who have been tortured for the steadfastness of their faith and their refusal to be silenced, will be healed as the Shepherd anoints their wounds with the balm of love. The Pastor of Israel will break every bond that chains us to the past and its bleakness, and the doors of our prisons, physical, emotional and spiritual, will be flung open wide. There will be no more fear, for peace, love and justice will herald God’s Shepherd. As the bells of Christmas announce the celebration of God enfleshed, let us join with the host of witnesses, with saints of old and those who have been martyred this past century for their faith as we pray for the imminent return of Jesus, Messiah, the one chosen to be Pastor of Israel and the Shepherd of all the flock.

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Closing reflection by God’s Gnome.

The titles of the Messiah, which are found in the antiphons, were originally written in Latin. When we take the first letter of the seven most commonly sung antiphons, Sapientia (Wisdom), Adonai (Lord), Radix (Root), Clavis (Key), Oriens (Dawn), Rex (King), and Emmanuel (Emmanuel, and list them in reverse order we discover therein is contained a message from Christ. "Ero cras" is the Latin word derived from reversing the order of these letters. "Ero cras" - "I shall be there tomorrow", is the answer Christ gives to the faithful. "Ero cras," the new prophecy proclaimed by Christ, is the promise we carry aloft as a banner, and enshrine with certainty within our own hearts. As we celebrate Christ’s birth at Bethlehem today let us also treasure the assurance that the Babe of Bethlehem will return as the Messiah. Can you not feel, as do the angels, the excitement and joy that will accompany his return? This Christmas let us join with people across the earth as we reply, "We are waiting, Lord."

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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Words: Latin: c. 9th Century - Tr. by John M. Neale - Tr. by Henry S. Coffin
Music: VENI EMMANUEL - Adapted from Plainsong, Mode I - Thomas Helmore

O come, o come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
CHORUS: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who orders all things mightily,
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
CHORUS: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty, and awe.
CHORUS: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, O Rod of Jesse free,
Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o'er the grave
CHORUS: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
CHORUS: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer,
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
CHORUS: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Desire of nations, bind,
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of peace.
CHORUS: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!