Advent 2022 begins today, November 27. Advent, which means “arrival,” reminds us to remember Christ’s first coming and anticipate his second.

My advent mediation this year will be inspired by my recent study of 2 Corinthians which ended with a beautiful benediction—the only one that mentions all three persons of the Trinity.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV

My apologies to those who prefer to stick to the traditional themes of hope, promise, faith, love, joy, and peace. Perhaps they will weave naturally through my meditations. And of course, Mary of Nazareth will always get a mention as she’s my jam.

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We begin with the GRACE of the Lord Jesus Christ. How do we see the GRACE of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Christmas story? How does he give us what we don’t deserve? The Apostle Paul sums it up:

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV

Jesus left the wealth of heaven and set aside his deity (Philippians 2:6–8) to be birthed by an ordinary, human, peasant girl—Mary of Nazareth (Matthew 1:21). As he grew he did not seek earthy riches in real estate or financial investments but became a simple tradesman and a traveling preacher. At age 33, he was executed unjustly. But by his death, he offered free, undeserved spiritual riches—eternal life in the kingdom of God—to any who believe (Ephesians 1:7).

We have a share in Jesus’ eternal, heavenly wealth because He came and had a share in our poverty.

David Guzik

Because of Christmas, we can know the GRACE of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“For…grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17 NIV)
“We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved.” (Acts 15:11 NIV)
“All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24 NIV)

How have you been made rich by Jesus’ grace?

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for leaving the wealth of heaven for the poverty of earth. Thank you for becoming one of us to show us the way to become like you. Your sacrifice meant we receive what we don’t deserve. Teach us to show that same grace to those around us.

Lord God, may this season of celebrating Christ’s birth resound with fresh anticipation in our hearts. May our eyes see details, truths, and promises in the narrative never before noticed. May our ears hear your voice in new ways. May our souls be renewed by the joy of your coming. And may grace, love, and fellowship be with us all. O come, o come Emmanuel.