Advent Devotional, December 4

If you were having a health emergency and the life saving measures were provided by an off duty EMT who just happened to be walking past, would you be disappointed that he hadn’t arrived in uniform by way of an ambulance with screaming sirens and flashing lights? Probably not. But truthfully, we find the ambulance reassuring. And if the off duty EMT offered to help but we could hear the ambulance approaching, there’s a chance we’d wait for the ambulance, isn’t there? 
During Advent we have to face the uncomfortable truth that in Bethlehem we got the Savior we needed, even if he showed up in civilian attire. There were, it’s true, some flashing lights and lovely sirens to mark his arrival, but it was an unconventional ambulance. There are lots of other “saviors” offering to put us on their gurneys. Politics. Social action. Relationships. 
But with Jesus, God was less concerned about reassuring us by the quality of his arrival than with saving us by the quality of his sacrifice.

Matthew 5:3

Prayer: Help me Lord to know and feel just how desperately I need you and to know and feel just how completely able you are to meet my need. Disillusion me when it comes to lights and sirens and help me to be content with a perfect Savior.

Song: Sarah Sparks is worthy of more attention than she receives. In her original Christmas song “400 Years” she poignantly explores the response to hearing from God after 400 years of silence and plays with the refrain of a favorite carol in the process. 

​