Meditation Reader, We begin this week before Christmas in Luke 1 with the Angel Gabriel coming to Mary to announce the imminent arrival of the savior six months after his appearance to Zacharias to announce the miraculous conception of John the Baptist. Two things stood out to me as I wrote this out this morning. First, the favor that Mary has 'found' is the same favor you and I now enjoy. Mary isn't a vessel of grace; she is a recipient...just as we are. All three of the gifts promised in...

Reflection Reader, This week's passages focused on prophecies from Isaiah chapters 9 and 11 building up a picture of who Jesus is and how he will reign. Tuesday's passage contrasted the modern idea of peace as a passive absence of conflict with the peace Jesus brings as an active, increasing presence. Where in your life have you experienced Christ's active, increasing peace, and what does it look like to live as if His peace is a tangible presence rather than just the lack of trouble? Isaiah...

Meditation Reader, The first familiar words in today's passage, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given," finally turn us toward very familiar advent ground. As I noted yesterday, this future event is written in the present tense. God's salvation plan has been ordained and confirmed, and now it is literally being fleshed out in clear, unequivocal terms. He will come in human form as a vulnerable child. We now know His form, and we know his fashion. He will be wise, mighty,...