Seeking Christ: The Light of Advent
Summary
As we enter the Advent season, we are reminded of the profound significance of this time of year. Advent is a season of anticipation, a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ. Each week, as we light the Advent candles, we witness the growing light that symbolizes Christ's presence in our lives and the world. This light is a beacon of hope, reminding us of the salvation and life that Jesus brings.
The story of the wise men, which we will focus on throughout this Advent season, offers us deep insights into the nature of God's revelation and the inclusivity of His love. The wise men, or magi, were not kings but astrologers and advisors from distant lands. Their journey to find Jesus was not a result of their own wisdom but a divine invitation. God reached out to them in a language they could understand, using a star to guide them. This act of grace shows us that God is willing to meet us where we are, even if we are far from Him.
The wise men's story challenges us to consider what we are truly seeking this Christmas. In a world filled with distractions and false hopes, we are called to look beyond the superficial and seek the true peace and joy that only Christ can provide. The wise men were looking for the Messiah, and because they were seeking, they found Him. This Advent, we are invited to do the same—to look for Jesus in the midst of our busy lives and to prepare our hearts to receive Him.
As we journey through this season, let us remember that God has already paved the way for our salvation. He has given us His Word in a language we can understand, and He continues to reach out to us with love and grace. Let us not miss the message of hope that He is offering. Instead, let us open our hearts to the true meaning of Christmas and share this joy with others.
Key Takeaways:
- Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. As we light the Advent candles, we are reminded of the growing light of Christ in our lives, symbolizing hope and salvation. This season invites us to reflect on the profound significance of Christ's presence in the world. [04:32]
- The story of the wise men teaches us about God's inclusive love and revelation. Despite being astrologers from distant lands, the wise men were invited by God to witness the birth of Jesus. This demonstrates that God's grace extends to all, regardless of background or distance. [46:51]
- God communicates with us in ways we can understand, as seen in how He used a star to guide the wise men. This act of grace shows that God meets us where we are, reaching out to us even when we are far from Him. It challenges us to be open to His messages in our lives. [55:06]
- The wise men's journey prompts us to consider what we are truly seeking this Christmas. In a world filled with distractions, we are called to look beyond the superficial and seek the true peace and joy that only Christ can provide. Their story encourages us to actively seek Jesus in our lives. [01:00:07]
- God has already paved the way for our salvation, giving us His Word in a language we can understand. This Advent, we are invited to open our hearts to the true meaning of Christmas and share this joy with others. Let us not miss the message of hope that He is offering. [01:03:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:32] - Lighting the Advent Candle
- [25:04] - True Hope in Christ
- [26:10] - Giving and Generosity
- [31:03] - Bible Reading Plan
- [35:33] - Advent Calendars and Their Meaning
- [37:31] - The Journey of the Wise Men
- [39:22] - Clarifying the Christmas Story
- [40:46] - The Significance of the Wise Men
- [43:05] - Who Were the Wise Men?
- [44:42] - Astronomy vs. Astrology
- [46:51] - God's Invitation to the Wise Men
- [49:15] - The Story of Daniel
- [51:37] - God's Advance Word
- [55:06] - God Speaks Our Language
- [58:09] - Reaching the Unreachable
- [01:00:07] - Seeking True Hope
- [01:03:21] - The Message of Christmas
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Advent and the Journey of the Wise Men
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 2:1-12
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Observation Questions:
1. What role does the star play in guiding the wise men to Jesus, and how does this reflect God's communication with them? [55:06]
2. How does the sermon describe the wise men's background and their significance in the Christmas story? [43:05]
3. What are some misconceptions about the wise men that the sermon aims to clarify? [39:22]
4. According to the sermon, what was the wise men's reaction upon finding Jesus, and what gifts did they offer? [42:11]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the wise men illustrate God's inclusive love and willingness to reach out to those who are far from Him? [46:51]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God communicates with us in a language we can understand, and why is this significant? [55:06]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of actively seeking Jesus during the Advent season, and how does this relate to the wise men's journey? [01:00:07]
4. How does the sermon connect the story of the wise men to the broader message of hope and salvation in Jesus Christ? [01:03:21]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the distractions in your life during the Christmas season. What specific steps can you take to focus more on the true meaning of Advent and the coming of Jesus? [01:00:07]
2. The wise men were guided by a star to find Jesus. What are some "stars" or signs in your life that God might be using to guide you closer to Him? How can you be more attentive to these signs? [55:06]
3. Consider the inclusivity of God's love as demonstrated by the wise men's story. How can you extend this inclusive love to someone in your life who might feel far from God? [46:51]
4. The wise men brought gifts to Jesus. What gifts, whether tangible or intangible, can you offer to Jesus this Advent season? How can you use these gifts to serve others? [42:11]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking true hope and joy in Christ. Identify one area in your life where you are seeking fulfillment outside of Christ. How can you redirect your focus to find true peace and joy in Him? [01:03:21]
6. How can you incorporate a tradition or practice during Advent that keeps your focus on Jesus? Consider starting a new tradition that helps you and your family reflect on the significance of Christ's birth. [01:03:21]
7. The sermon mentions the wise men's journey as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. What is one step you can take this week to actively seek Jesus in your daily life? [01:00:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Anticipation and Preparation for Christ's Coming
Advent is a season of anticipation, inviting believers to prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ. As each Advent candle is lit, the growing light symbolizes the increasing presence of Christ in our lives and the world. This light serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the salvation and life that Jesus brings. During this time, individuals are encouraged to reflect on the profound significance of Christ's presence and to ready themselves spiritually for His arrival. The Advent season is not just a countdown to Christmas but a period of spiritual preparation and reflection. [04:32]
"For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness." (1 Thessalonians 5:5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally prepare your heart and mind to welcome Christ's presence in your life this Advent season?
Day 2: God's Inclusive Love and Revelation
The story of the wise men illustrates the inclusivity of God's love and His willingness to reveal Himself to all people, regardless of their background or distance. The wise men, astrologers from distant lands, were invited by God to witness the birth of Jesus. This act demonstrates that God's grace extends to everyone, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. It challenges believers to recognize that God's love is not limited to a select few but is available to all who seek Him. The wise men's journey serves as a reminder of the universal nature of God's invitation to experience His love and grace. [46:51]
"And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer." (Isaiah 56:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life might feel distant from God's love? How can you extend an invitation to them to experience His grace?
Day 3: God Speaks Our Language
God communicates with us in ways we can understand, as demonstrated by how He used a star to guide the wise men. This act of grace shows that God meets us where we are, reaching out to us even when we are far from Him. It challenges believers to be open to the ways God might be speaking to them in their own lives. Whether through nature, circumstances, or the people around us, God is continually reaching out, inviting us to draw closer to Him. This Advent, individuals are encouraged to be attentive to the unique ways God is communicating His love and guidance. [55:06]
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." (Romans 1:20, ESV)
Reflection: In what unexpected ways has God communicated with you recently? How can you be more attentive to His voice in your daily life?
Day 4: Seeking True Peace and Joy
The wise men's journey prompts believers to consider what they are truly seeking this Christmas. In a world filled with distractions and false hopes, individuals are called to look beyond the superficial and seek the true peace and joy that only Christ can provide. The wise men were searching for the Messiah, and because they were seeking, they found Him. This Advent, believers are invited to actively seek Jesus in the midst of their busy lives and to prepare their hearts to receive Him. The story of the wise men encourages a deeper pursuit of spiritual fulfillment and a focus on the eternal rather than the temporary. [01:00:07]
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions are preventing you from seeking true peace and joy in Christ? How can you refocus your priorities to align with His purpose for your life?
Day 5: Embracing the True Meaning of Christmas
God has already paved the way for our salvation, giving us His Word in a language we can understand. This Advent, believers are invited to open their hearts to the true meaning of Christmas and to share this joy with others. The message of hope that God offers should not be missed, but rather embraced and celebrated. As individuals reflect on the significance of Christ's birth, they are encouraged to share the love and joy of the season with those around them. The true meaning of Christmas is found in the gift of Jesus, and believers are called to live out this truth in their daily lives. [01:03:21]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you share the true meaning of Christmas with someone in your life today? What practical steps can you take to embody the hope and joy of Christ this season?
Quotes
"In the midst of our darkness, He comes to give us the light of life. And as we watch, these lights begin to shine all through the Advent season. We get a picture of what Christ is doing in each of our hearts and in this world." [00:05:23] (15 seconds)
"God, we just have it as a gift from you. We don't deserve it. We didn't earn it. You just give it to us. And you've given it to us at immense cost to yourself." [00:25:12] (14 seconds)
"None of these real advent calendars are actually going to work. We need to find true peace during the Christmas season. And that can only come from one place. This comes from the, coming of Jesus Christ." [00:37:16] (15 seconds)
"I'm going to reach out to the people that seem so far away that they got no hope at all. I need everybody to know that there's hope for every single person on this planet." [00:55:51] (9 seconds)
"Jesus went ahead of time to give them a message and a language that they can understand. And why does he do this? Because he loves them." [00:58:09] (9 seconds)
"They were actually looking for true hope. They were looking for true life. And because of that, they found it. And the question is, are we looking this season?" [01:00:36] (12 seconds)
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