Advent Day 12 - Jesus is Not Afraid of Our Mess

This year's Advent devotionals are from A Celebration of Advent:
A 25-Day Devotional by New Spring Church of Anderson, SC

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“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:6-7

Despite what nativities convey, Jesus’ birth was anything but picturesque. Imagine a barn or even a cave complete with farming implements, feeding troughs, and manure. This dark and dirty place is hardly what we’d expect for our Messiah’s royal birthplace. The location of Jesus’ birth says so much about the kind of life Jesus would lead.

In His thirty-three years, Jesus never shied away from messy situations or messy people. Sinners of all kinds found Jesus’ love and grace readily available. Jesus’ birth reminds us that God isn’t afraid to enter a mess. Again and again, Jesus meets people in their mess and turns their mess into a message.

Reflect: Read Luke 2:1-7
How did Jesus turn the Samaritan Woman’s mess into a message? (John 4)
What does it mean to be a minister of reconciliation? (1 Corinthians 5)
How have you seen God meet you in messy situations?
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Prayer:

Father,
           The only thing pure and spotless in our lives is You. Everything we've ever brought to You has been used, bruised or confused. How can we possibly express the depth of our gratitude for all You've done and all You're doing for us? You alone can give us clean hands and a pure heart so we may climb Your mountain and stand in Your Holy place. Keep our hearts and minds steadfast before You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen