A Hope Eternal - Advent DevotionalSample

We begin with the end in mind. To that end, let us also go back to the prophecies of the Bible describing the coming of the Christ. The Book of Isaiah, written about 700 years before Christ’s birth, contains the most prophecies of the coming Messiah, giving us the specific details of His birth and the very purpose of His coming. It contains one of the most pivotal passages and prophecies regarding the Advent season:

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6)

Long before Jesus was born and died on the Cross, Isaiah points us to the Messiah and the very purpose of His birth and death. And hundreds of years later, it all happened exactly as Isaiah prophesied.

The purpose of His birth and death was, is, and will be love. God’s demonstration of His great love for us is Jesus’ death. Jesus was born to die on our behalf and in our place. In fact, long before you and I had even been born, God had put this plan in place.

There is no greater love. God’s demonstration of love is unconditional: while we were still sinners. The power of this passage has changed lives for centuries. And so, at Christmas, we not only celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ; we also celebrate His death and resurrection. With Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, the definitive move in the battle against evil was struck. More skirmishes will follow, but the war—for all intents and purposes—has been won. The battle has been waged and won for us. Love came or us. Our rescue is here. This is a love story like no other. Little wonder a choir of angels broke out in spontaneous song at the birth of Jesus Christ, disturbing not only a few shepherds but the entire universe. There is no greater love.

Prayer

Jesus, we thank you for dying for us on the cross. We thank you for paying the prices for us. We thank you for loving us so unconditionally that while we were still sinners—and Your enemies—You died for us. Dear Father in Heaven may Your Holy Spirit lead us into an even greater understanding of Your love for us and transform our lives for Your glory. May we join the choirs of angels this Advent and Christmas season and turn beloved Christmas hymns into prayers of awe, thanksgiving, and praise.

Doris Gomez, Ph.D., serves as the dean for the Regent University School of Business & Leadership.