Providence 365, Week 49: The Second Sunday in Advent

This is the Christian season of Advent, the time of anticipation, of looking back at Christ's first coming, and also looking ahead, expecting, His second.  For centuries, Christians have lit candles in an evergreen Advent wreath, reading Scriptures as reminders of what the King of the Universe has done for us, His people.  The light from the candles grows each Sunday as one more is lit, reflecting that Christ is the Light of the World, and His light is filling our dark world.

The first candle of the Advent wreath is the candle of hope or prophecy.  Traditionally, the second candle, this week's candle, symbolized Bethlehem, the lowly birthplace of Jesus.  It reminds us that He came in God's Providence, as a man, humble, to live and "tabernacle" among us. 

This weeks verse is from Micah 5:2:

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
   who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
   one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
   from ancient days.

This verse is a reminder that God has chosen the lowly of this world to bring His glory to us; He has chosen the weak to confound the wise, leaving us no room to boast in our own wisdom. 

 

My prayer for you this Advent Sunday is that you would seek for Him with all your heart, for He is willing to be found, meek and lowly, in Bethlehem.
You can find the word art here.