The Last Supper

Reading: Luke 22:14,15, Matthew 26:26-29, John 13:18-38,

Tonight is the night we remember the Last Supper that Jesus shared with His disciples. This supper was to celebrate the Feast of Passover. "...Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, 'I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before My suffering begins...' Luke 22:14,15 NLT "As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then He broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples saying, 'Take this and eat it, for this is My body.' And He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, 'Each of you drink from it, for this is My blood, which confirms the covenant between God and His people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.'" Matthew 26:26-29 NLT

Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and wanted to be with His disciples to share His final words and demonstrate His love for them. He humbly washed their feet. (See The Full Extent of His Love).

Last Supper - Carl Bloch

After Jesus had washed their feet, He became deeply troubled, and said, "'I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!' the disciples looked at each other, wondering who He could mean." John was sitting near Jesus. He leaned over and  asked Him who He was talking about. Jesus answered, "' It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.' And when He had dipped it, He gave it to Judas... When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into Him. Then Jesus told him 'Hurry and do what you're going to do.'... So Judas left at once, going out into the (darkness of) night."

The Full Extent of His Love

Thursday 

John 13:1-17, Matt. 5:43-48

Thursday night was the Last Supper that Jesus had with His disciples.  In our readings this week we’ll focus on that last intimate time Jesus spent with them. Even though Jesus spoke of His impending death; they did not know that this was His last time with them, before He would be crucified. In these closing moments, what were the most important things He would do and say to His disciples before He left them? (Because so much happened on Thursday, I am posting some of these events before Thursday, so you will not have so much to read at once).

"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. The evening meal was being served... Jesus... got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.

When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will blessed if you do them.'" John 13:1-17 NIV 

Little did His disciples realize that night as He washed their feet, what would follow so very soon in their final moments together this evening. After their meal, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He allowed Peter, James and John to come with Him and keep watch. In much grief Jesus wept, knowing this time on earth is coming to an end. 

Later, Judas came into the olive grove with Roman soldiers and temple guards... their torches and lanterns blazing; and weapons ready to squelch any resistance. They arrested Jesus and took Him away. The NIV Bible say's in John 13  "He now showed them the full extent of His love", even as He was beaten, whipped and carried the cross to place of His death. It was there that His arms were extended and nailed on that cross, demonstrating the full extent of His love. As blood poured from His wounds from the whipping and the nails, His life drained out until He died. In this He fulfilled His final act of service for humanity. It was on the cross that He showed the full extent of His love. 

"God demonstrated His own love toward us 

in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." 

Romans 5:8

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday

Today Palm Sunday, according to many church calendars. It is the last Sunday before the Passion of Jesus. It is the week to honor our LORD Jesus as Christ the our King. Here are some verses speaking of who He is as our King... yours and mine.

Today's readings of Christ the King are: Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 9:9,

"Tell the daughter of Zion,
'Behold, your King is coming to you, 
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey...'" Matt. 21:5 NKJ

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday He rode on a foal of a donkey. The crowds were cheering and waving palm branches. Many of them were wondering if this was the coming of God's chosen one. On that day, He fulfilled this prophecy of the coming Messiah: 

 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

"Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, Your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey..."
Zechariah 9:9 NKJ

This is the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem!!!

It was such a time of great rejoicing! God's chosen one finally came in to the city of David, the city of the Great king. Look at Him in your heart, through the eyes of these people, imagine their joy. He was righteous, and just. In their eyes He was coming to make things right and end the injustice they lived every day under with the occupation of the Roman Empire. But that is not how it was to be. God's chosen One did not come high and mighty on a majestic horse, but He came in humility on a donkey, lowly and approachable to us. Let His words speak to your heart:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest... 

for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls."  

Matthew 11:28, 29 NIV/KJV

Are you weary and burdened? Come to Him. Come to His gentle and lowly heart. Rest your  heart in His. You will find rest for your soul.

Behold, Your King is coming to you!

 

The Fragrance of Sacrifice - Saturday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Mary took  a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil." John 12:3

What was Mary expressing to Jesus in these beautiful verses? What does this mean for us as followers of Jesus? Here are some impressions I had. I believe that Mary loved Jesus with her whole heart. She gave and did not withhold even such an expensive fragrance. It was an extension of her love and appreciation for bringing her brother back from the dead. But even more, someday Jesus would raise her up to eternal life with Him. Imagine being there in that moment. The fragrance filled the house and affected everyone there, especially Jesus; as He was watching her wipe His feet with her beautiful hair.  Mary's love was poured out through the oil. She held nothing back. She expressed her whole heart devotion to Jesus for all to see.  Perhaps there was a moment of silence, awe, as they experienced her passion in spirit and beauty in love,... until the silence was broken by Judas.

Passion Week

Passion Week Preparation: Get ready to prepare for the coming of Passion Week. In this week coming up is the week of all weeks... the week that changed the destiny of all mankind. It is the week of our Lords Passion. 

Read as He looks toward His final, most important purpose in coming to this earth. He came to suffer and die as an innocent man, at the hands of sinful men. In paying the penalty of the sin of every human being to ever live; He made a way for all who believe in Him, to once again come to God. God created people to be close to Him, to walk with Him every day and talk to Him, just as Adam and Eve did in the garden. But, when they sinned they were separated from God. Tragically, all their descendants were also separated from God. That is us humans here thousands of years later. You see that when Jesus came, He was like a second Adam, to give people a whole new fresh start. He came to restore our connection with God through faith in Him and the sacrifice He made for us. As sinners we all deserve to die and be punished for our sins. He paid the price so when we turn to Him, repent of our sins we are forgiven, our innocence is restored and we can walk with Him again, in through the Holy Spirit.

I am putting up these three posts together on Sunday April 6, 2025 in an abbreviated form to inspire you to really dive in to the more in depth posts continuing through following next week; you will be ready to continue.

You can share in His Passion, share His heart by reading in one or all of the gospels towards the end of each one. You will find the various perspectives of the gospel writers versions. I have a page on the relevant scriptures.

You can also follow along with the first three short posts below. Then you can engage in the in depth posts, Saturday through the following Sunday.

Palm Sunday

Sunday Readings: John 12: 12- 15,  Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 9:9, Luke 19:28-44, Revelation 19:11-16

James Tissot

Today is Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus made His Triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The whole city was buzzing with excitement. They were in a festive mood with the approach of Passover. In the excitement there was talk of the miracle man, Jesus of Nazareth. He had recently raised a man, His friend Lazarus from the dead!!! Lazarus was from Bethany, a village not far from Jerusalem. It is likely that many knew him and  his family. News of this miracle spread among the people in Jerusalem and those who came afar to attend the Feast. The crowds must have wondered... "will Jesus come into Jerusalem, that we may see Him who raised a man from the dead? Will we see Lazarus, who was once dead and now is alive? Then we can see for ourselves if this is really true. Perhaps He is Messiah, the One Israel has waited for so long. Perhaps He is to be revealed in our time." Lets join Matthew as he tells us about this day:

"Tell the daughter of Zion,
'Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey...'"
Matt. 21:5 NKJ

Jesus Clears the Temple 

Monday: Matthew 21:12-17, 

This occurred after His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem on either Sunday or Monday:

Merchants Chased from the Temple- James Tissot

 "Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. he knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 

"My Temple will be called a house of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of thieves!" Matthew 21:12, 13 NLT

By What Authority?

Tuesday: Matt. 21:14-16, 23-46
The next day, after Jesus cleansed the temple He returned:

"Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, 

"By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" 

Matthew 21:23 NKJ

He insulted them the day before by turning over far more than just their tables. What gave Him the right to interfere with their temple business like that? Who is this man, that He should insult them and their religion? Going deeper, look back to immediately after He cleansed the temple. "Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them." Right there in front of them He healed many people. When was the last time one of them had miraculously healed someone? Jesus demonstrated an authority and authenticity they did not have.

The Parable of the Two Sons

Tuesday: Matthew 21:28-46

When Jesus came into the temple the day after He drove out the money changers, the chief priest and elders question Him, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" 21:23 Jesus answered them with a question that ultimately would cut to the heart of their own salvation. Let's see how this plays out:

"I will tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question. 

Did John's authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?"

They discussed his question and reasoned that "'If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn't believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we'll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.' So they finally replied, 'We don't know.' And Jesus responded, 'Then I won't tell you by what authority I do these things.'" 21: 24-26

Then Jesus tells them the Parable of the Two Sons. Would they see themselves in this word picture?
What is a parable? Why does Jesus tell them? We will answer these questions.

 

The True Vine
 

Wednesday Reading: John 15:1- 13

Tomorrow, Thursday night of Passion Week, the disciples celebrated the Feast of the Passover Meal. This was the last night that Jesus would spend with His disciples before His death on the cross. All of His words in the New Testament are truth and powerful for us as believers. But I do believe there is a special significance in what he said to them that night. "Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world." He told His disciples "'Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer.'" John 13:1, 33 NLT

The book of John records this Last Supper that Jesus spent with His disciples in chapters 13-17. The following is a portion that particularly speaks to my heart. I hope you will enjoy it. 

More to come soon.

Passion Week Readings

Friday

This week is the week of all weeks... the week that changed the destiny of all mankind. 

It is the week of our Lords Passion as He looks toward His final, most important purpose in coming to this earth. He came to suffer and die as an innocent man, at the hands of sinful men. In paying the penalty of the sin of every human being to ever live; He made a way for all who believe in Him, to once again come to God. God created people to be close to Him, to walk with Him every day and talk to Him, just as Adam and Eve did in the garden. But, when they sinned they were separated from God. Tragically, all their descendants were also separated from God. Now here we are thousands of years later. When Jesus came, He was like a second Adam, to give humanity a whole new fresh start. He came to restore our connection with God through faith in Him and the sacrifice He made for us. As sinners we all deserve to die and be punished for our sins. He paid the price so that when we turn to Him and repent of our sins we are forgiven. Our innocence is restored and we can walk with Him again, in His Spirit.

You can share in His Passion, share His heart by reading in one or all of the gospels. In this last week of His life, He knew that He would soon leave this earth. In this remaining time He told His disciples the things that were most important to Him. Below I have listed His last week in each of the four gospel books.  All of these readings begin with the Triumphal Entry. Then they continue through the end of each book. I pray God will bless you each day as you look into Jesus' last week on this earth.

During this Passion Week, there will one or more posts everyday. They will post on the likely day of the week that they occurred. You will find that day at the top of each post.

Matthew chapters 21- 28: 

You will find in each gospel that the week begins with the Triumphant Entry. And then continues with the following: Parables of the Two Sons, the Wicked Vine Dressers and the Wedding Feast, the Greatest Commandment, Warnings about false religion, End Times, the Parables of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, The Talents, and the Sheep and the Goats. Then you will find the plot to kill Jesus, His betrayal, Passover, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, the Trials and His death on the cross, Jesus is buried, He is Risen and the Great Commission.

Mark 11-16: 

Beginning again with the Triumphant Entry, Parable of the Wicked Vine Dressers, Greatest Commandment, Warnings about false religion, End Times, the plot to kill Jesus, the anointing at Bethany, His betrayal, Passover, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, the Trials and the death on the cross, Jesus is buried, He is Risen and the Great Commission.

Luke 19- 24:  

The Triumphant Entry, Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem, Parable the Wicked Vine Dressers, the destruction of Jerusalem, End Times, Then you will find the plot to kill Jesus, Disciples argue over greatness, Passover, the Last Supper, Gethsemane,  Betrayal, the Trials and the death on the cross, Jesus is buried, He is Risen, Jesus appears to His disciples, Ascension.

John Chapters 12- 21:

The Triumphant Entry, the Grain of Wheat, Walk in the Light, Jesus washes His disciples feet, Jesus is the Way, The Father is revealed, Answered Prayer, Another Helper, the Spirit of Truth, Gift of His Peace, The True Vine, Love and Joy, the coming rejection, the Work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and all other believers, His betrayal and arrest in Gethsemane,  the Trials and the King on a cross, Jesus is buried, the empty tomb, the apostles commissioned, and breakfast by the Sea.

Crucifixion

Advent Four - The Light of Peace Comes to Us

Week Four 
December 21 - 27, 2025 

Sunday

The Light of Peace Comes to Us

  

This is the final week of Advent. 

The Light of Peace, because the Prince of Peace is Born!

"For unto us a Child is born, 

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Councelor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice,

From that time forward, even forever.

Isaiah 9: 6, 7 NKJ

This week we see in Matthew and Luke the glory of the coming of the Infant King. Light four candles this week and enjoy with your family.
 

Monday

Mary and Joseph Travel

 Luke 2:1-7

Even though Mary was pregnant and near the time of birth; her and Joseph were required by Caesar to traveled to Bethlehem for the Roman census. Joseph was a descendant of King David; therefore he had to register in Bethlehem, the city of David. The Emperor of Rome required the census for the purpose of tax collection. Oddly he inadvertently obeyed God by requiring the census. How so? You see, over 700 years earlier, the prophet Micah foretold that though Bethlehem was small, a great ruler would come.

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. 

Yet a ruler of Israel... will come from you on my behalf..." 

Micah 5:2 NLT 

Because the Emperor required the census, Jesus was born in Bethlehem as prophesied instead of Nazareth. Read more

Also, the Magi found Jesus, the King of the Jews in Bethlehem, by first inquiring in Jerusalem. The priests sited the scripture above.

Tuesday

God's Great Love for Us 

Reading: John 3:16-21, Ephesians 3:14-21

Some years back a precious little grandson was born into our family. We all loved to hold him, this precious gift from God and look into his bright face with wonder, and consider who will he be. What is God's purposed in his life?  How will his life affect our family and the world around him?

 

Birth of Christ by Carl Bloch

 

I wonder if the first day of Jesus life, Mary held Him and looked into His brilliant face and wondered what He would be like? How would God's purpose would play out in His life? How it would affect her and Joseph? What He would mean for the entire world? 

"Mary kept all these things 
and pondered them in her heart."  
Luke 2:19 NKJ

Could she have known that God's plan for humanity would pierce her own heart? Probably not yet, though Simeon would tell her in eight days. Could anyone have understood how God's plan would pierce His Own Heart? God, the Father knew from eternity past what it would take to rescue human kind. He foretold this in the life of Abraham. How must Abraham have felt when God said:

"Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, and... 
offer him as a burnt offering".
Genesis 22:2 NKJ

 

This verse foretells God the Father's plan and the pain it would cause Him.. Somehow, the suffering of humanity was an even a greater pain. It reveals the extent of His profound deep love for us. We are His Creation. He formed Adam from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being. Gen. 2:7, We are His workmanship, His masterpiece, His work of art, lovingly crafted by Him. Eph. 2:10

 

 On Saturday, December 6th, we looked at David's question to God. To paraphrase: In light of Your majesty, Who are we that You would even think about us, let alone care? Look how God answered that question, by sending His Son, His one and only, beloved Son, knowing full well His Son would be killed by the people He created. In fact that was the plan, that He would provide once and for all people, a perfect sacrificial lamb to atone for our sins.

 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son,  
 that whoever believes in Him  
shall not perish but have eternal life."  
John 3:16 NIV

 

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,  according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:17-21 NIV

 

Wednesday 

Glory in the Highest

Luke 2:8-20

Today just enjoy this beautiful portion of scripture, with family and friends, even though we read them previously. A section of today's reading was even recited on "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Charlie was feeling down because everything about Christmas seemed empty and commercial. He was looking for the real meaning of Christmas. Perhaps after weeks of shopping, eating and parties you feel the same way and will rejoice in the simple meaning of the profound gift we received from God, our Savior Jesus Christ.

"Now there were shepherds living out in the fields,keeping watch over their flock by night.And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

The the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.'

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace ,goodwill toward men!' So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another,

'Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger..."

Luke 2:8-16 NKJ

Order a print of Birth of the King by Michael Dudash

Tomorrow we will see the Prince of Peace is Born.

 

Week Three - The Light of Joy Breaks Through

Week Three
December 14-21, 2025

The Light of Joy Breaks Through

We began this Advent Journey two weeks ago with the theme of the week -  The Light of Hope Shines in the Darkness. The key verse from Isaiah describes the darkness of human plight contrasted with the prophecy of hope that a great light will come. About 700 years later the Light of Joy Broke Through! That light is Jesus Christ. That first week we examined the darkness that came into the world through Adam and Eve's sin. Then we looked at the prophecies of the coming hope, a Son of promise and a Son to be a King - Jesus Christ. In the following week - The Light of Faith Revealed in Struggles, we looked into the lives of Zacharias and Mary. Each had an angelic visit with a seemingly impossible message to believe. Yes, they and their family around them, especially Joseph and Mary's parents must have struggled in their faith to believe that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. How could such a thing happen? And Mary, what a struggle for her! This is portrayed with excellence in the Nativity movie.

This week, ... we see the joy surrounding the coming of Jesus. We look at  Jesus in Matthew, Luke and John; as well as prophecies in Isaiah tied in with the Nativity Story. This week light three candles.

Sunday   
An Angel Visits Joseph 

Angel Visits Joseph - Tissot

Matt 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:14, Col. 1:15, John 1:1-3

Not only was Zacharias' and Mary's faith challenged; so was Joseph's. How could he believe that his fiance got pregnant by the Holy Spirit? So unlikely, until an angel appeared to him as well. Beyond that miracle though is prophecy of who Jesus is and His mission.
Read More

Monday 
Genealogy of Jesus 
Matt 1:18-25, Hebrews 2:17, 18 4:15

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

This about the people in Jesus' ancestral line. So many interesting people. There are fathers and sons listed in this genealogy record. Some of the names are a little difficult to pronounce; but each one represents a person and a life lived. More importantly, these were the people God chose to bring forth His son. They must have been pretty amazing people, right? Many of them were people of strong faith, devotion toward God and humility. But they were also people, like you and I... capable of mistakes and sin... lying and deceiving... and in some cases, really big sins... like adultery, prostitution, and murder. Why would God allow His Son to come from such sinful people? In speaking of God's Son, the author of Hebrews says:
Read More

Tuesday 
Joy to the World 
Luke 2:1-7

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
Let earth receive Her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room."

There was no room for them in the Inn. So He, the King of all heaven and earth was born in a stable to simple peasants. Through the ages since His Coming, millions have prepared room for Him in their hearts across the face of the earth.
Read More

Wednesday 
Simeon See’s God’s Salvation 

Simeons Moment

Luke 2:21-38

"... my eyes have seen Your salvation

Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples,

A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel."

Luke 2:30-32

Enjoy your reading today in this rich passage. I hardly know what to emphasize, there are so many wonderful things here. Read More

Friday 
Light of the World 
Luke 2:30-32, John 1:4-13, 8:12, fulfills Isaiah 9:2

Simeon said as he blessed baby Jesus:  

"... my eyes have seen Your salvation 

Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, 

A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, 

And the glory of Your people Israel."  

Luke 2:30-32

Today we will look at Jesus as a grown man and as the light prophesied by Simeon. The Apostle John says of Jesus: Read More


Saturday 
The Brightness of His Glory 

Luke 2:30-32, Heb 1:1-3, 2Cor 4:6,7, 3:18

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and

the exact representation of His being,

sustaining all things by His powerful word.

Read More

This concludes Week 3 of our Advent Readings.

The Light of Joy Breaks Through. 

Now we move to the fourth and final week of Advent.

The Light of Peace, the Prince of Peace is Born 

Yes, The Light of Peace, because the Prince of Peace is Born!

Advent Week - Two

The Light of Faith Revealed in Struggle

 

Sunday December 7, through December 13, 2025 

 

This week we look into the book of Luke in the New Testament of the Bible and explore the challenges of faith brought about by announcements of an angel to Zacharias and Mary. Each of these people were average everyday people; who experienced something extraordinary! They became integral parts of the story of the Coming of Christ as a baby and foretelling His ministry as a man. Let's take a look into their lives. Light your second candle this week.  For these readings we will call it The Light of Faith.

Sunday
John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias
Luke 1:1-25

Zacharias and Gabriel - Tissot

As you read Luke 1:1-25 consider the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth. They had no children because she was barren and now they were getting old. The dream of having a child had long faded away leaving traces of sorrow for what could have been. See through the eyes of Zacharias' as he walks into the temple, perhaps the air is heavy with the scent of frankincense and light is filtering through the haze. There is a sense of holiness and the glory of God is thick. Then something extraordinary happened, something that would rock his faith to the core.  Experience the awe of this amazing story. 

Read More

Monday
Gabriel Announces Christ to be Born of Mary 
Luke 1:26-38

Annunciation - Rosetti

Mary was a humble young woman, born to a peasant family who lived in difficult times. Imagine as you read, being Mary, just a teen and being visited by the angel Gabriel. She must have been frightened. When Gabriel see's her concern and says: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God". 

 
But how confusing for her to hear she will give birth to a son. "How can this be since I do not know a man?" She must have wondered what Joseph and her parents would think. What would happen to her, to be pregnant without a husband during that time in Israel? Read More

 

Tuesday
God’s Answer to David 
Luke 1:31-33, 2Samuel 7:12-22

In Luke 1:31-33, Gabriel told Mary,

"... you will conceive... and bring forth a Son and shall call His name Jesus. He will be Great and called Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His Father David... and of His Kingdom there will be no end."

These verses fulfill a promise made to King David in 2Samuel 7:11-14. How does this apply to Advent, the Promise of the Coming of Christ? Does it tell us who he is? Read More

 

 

 

Wednesday
Mary Visits Elizabeth 
Luke 1:39-45

Today's reading is a favorite for women every where, especially those who are moms and enjoyed the wonder of carrying a new life. My favorite verse is:

'At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, 

and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary,

"God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 

Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 

When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 

You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said."' 

Luke 1:41

Read More

 

Thursday
Mary’s Song of Praise 
Luke 1:46-56

Yesterday we saw what Elizabeth spoke to Mary. Here is Mary's reply:

James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum

"Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!...
For He took notice of His lowly servant girl, and
from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is Holy
and He has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from
generation to generation to all who fear Him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
Luke 1:46-55

Read More

Friday
The Birth of John 
Luke 1:57-66

The Visitation- Tissot, Brooklyn Museum

Elizabeth delivered her son and they named him John, meaning, "The Lord has shown favor".  Her neighbors and relatives rejoiced at the great mercy the Lord had shown her!
Joy emanates from God's favor and grace.

The neighbors of Zacharias and Elizabeth witnessed the miraculous work of God and marveled. Zacharias could then speak again for the first time since the visit of Gabriel. Then fear came over the people. They kept these sayings in their hearts, acknowledging that the Lord is with John and wondered what kind of child he will be.

Fear (Phobeo):frightening fearful sight...to be in awe of, revere... reverence.

What does it mean to fear God? Read More

Saturday
Zacharias’ Prophecy for His Little Son 
Luke 1:67-80

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, praised God for His faithfulness to keep His promises to His people.  He spoke a prophecy over his John, and Messiah saying,

"And you, my little son,
will be called the prophet of the Most High,
because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
You will tell his people how to find salvation
through forgiveness of their sins.

Because of God's tender mercy,

  the morning light from heaven
is about to break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and
in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace."
Luke 1:76-79 NLT

Read More

This concludes Week 2 of our Advent Readings. 

The Light of Faith Revealed in Struggle. 

You can see it in all of the lives touched deeply in the Promise and Coming of the King, Jesus Christ. Tomorrow begins Week 3, titled:

The Light of Joy Breaks Through

Advent Week One - The Light of Hope Shines in the Darkness

Sunday November 30, through December 7, 2025

The Light of Hope Shines in the Darkness

This week we will look at the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis. We will see Christ in creation, the creation of people and then evil and why it was necessary for Jesus to come.  We will also see Noah, the Tower of Babel, Abraham, Samuel and King David... amazingly it is all related to the coming of Christ.

First Candle Lit

Light the first candle in your Advent wreath: It is the candle of Expectation or Hope (prophecy). For thousands of years God spoke to His people through the prophets. (People who hear God speak) They spoke of a Chosen One, a just King, who would come and deliver His people from darkness and the misery caused by sin. Their prophecies are recorded in the Bible and gave God's children hope. They anticipated and longed for the coming of a Chosen one. These prophecies weave through Biblical history, like a gleaming golden thread in the great tapestry of time. A prophet named Isaiah wrote about the darkness and discouragement of the people and most importantly about a very special child who would come and be a righteous and just King. Look at the Sunday post below to see how Isaiah describes Him.

Sunday  

A Great Light Will Shine
Isaiah 9:2-6

A Great Light will Shine

"The people who walk in darkness 

will see a great light. 

For those who live in a land of deep darkness, 

a light will shine... 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. 

The government will rest on his shoulders. 

And he will be called: 

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

Isaiah 9:2-6 NLT

Blessings ~ Sheri

Read More:

Monday

God Created
Genesis 1

The story of the Advent is the story of the coming of Christ. The story of Jesus Christ actually begins in the very beginning of the Bible on the first page of the book of Genesis and extends to the very last page of the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. In fact, there are many places in the New Testament that speak of Jesus being right there in the beginning of creation with God. In the book of John he refers to Jesus as the Word and says,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 

He was in the beginning with God. 

All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made." 

John 1:1-3 NKJ

"In the beginning" is very reminiscent of in the first words in Genesis"
 Read More:

Tuesday

The Fall of Humanity

Genesis 2, 3 Isaiah 9:2, Romans 5:18, 12 -19

In yesterdays post, God Created, we learned about how God created the heavens and the earth. The first thing he did was to speak light, beautiful glorious light into existence. If you remember, in our first Advent post A Great Light will Shine Isaiah is quoted:

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light." 

Isaiah 9:2 NLT

Adam and Eve Expelled from the Garden

 What did he mean by that? Where did this darkness come from? We will see in this post. Strangely, it is part, a very important part of the story of the Coming of Jesus Christ. It tells us why He came.

 

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Wednesday:

Evil Multiplies 

Genesis 4 - 12

This post is a summary of how sin multiplied as shown in Genesis chapters 4- 12: 1-3... 2 Chronicles 16:9, Hebrews 11: 8-10

When Adam and Eve decided to eat the fruit; it was a decision to not trust God and believe what He said. Once they ate the fruit, evil entered into their hearts and marred the goodness God created them to have, when He made them in His Own image. And when they had their first two sons evil was passed along to them as well, in the attitude of the heart. Every human being has a choice... will I trust and follow God or do things my own way? 

Along with evil came great tragedy and sorrow.  Then as this evil spread evil it resulted in the deep darkness that we saw in Isaiah in our first Advent post A Great Light will Shine. What does this have to do with Advent, the coming of Christ? Keep following and you will see.

In this post continues the spread of evil and darkness. Aw, but there is hope too found in two men whose hearts were loyal to God. Read more

Thursday:  

Abraham’s Son of the Promise

Reading: Genesis 15-22

Long ago, there was a man named Abram, who had a wife named Sarai. They were childless and were getting very old. Abram cried out to God:
'O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since You have given me no children;... a servant in my household will inherit all my wealth.'  And then the Lord said to him, 'No your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir. Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him,
Read More


Friday: 
Samuel and the King 

I Samuel 1, 16



As we saw yesterday, the Lord said to Sarah "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" With in the year, 90 year old Sarah miraculously had a son. Many years later there was a woman named Hannah who longed to have a son. She went with her husband to Shiloh for a sacrificial meal. During the meal, she got up to pray. She was in deep anguish and was crying bitterly. She made this vow to the Lord: "Oh Lord... if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime..." I Samuel 1:9-12 NLT  The priest Eli was watching her and assumed she was drunk.  But Hannah told him how she was praying out of great sorrow. Eli said to her..."May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of Him." vs 17  Read More

Saturday: 
David’s Question to God 

Psalm 8:1, 3 amplified; 4



Long ago, a shepherd boy, penned the following Psalm (song). I can imagine him on a hillside, bedded down with his sheep, looking up into the heavens, amazed with it's vastness and glory. By comparison he must have felt so small and insignificant. As he gazed in awe of this creation he asked God the following question: Read More

This concludes Week One of Advent - The Light of Hope Shines in the Darkness. Beginning tomorrow, the start of Week Two; The light of Faith Revealed in The Light of Faith Revealed in Struggle. In this week we fast forward to the time just before the coming of Christ. We will look at not only the Light of Hope seen in the prophesies of the Coming King; but also the struggles of faith in the people God chose to be part of the story to bring forth His Son.