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A Prayer for the First Sunday in Advent

You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isa. 40:9-11

Gracious Father, Advent is upon us—the cherished season when we remember and celebrate the coming of Jesus, the promised Messiah, your beloved Son, our gracious Savior. Grant that it will prove to be much more than Advent-as-usual. Surprise us, Father. Let us engage with the story of Jesus’ birth as though for the very first time. Rescue us from the sentimental and the predictable. Bring familiar Scriptures alive in worship-producing, life-changing ways. Reshape how we do Christmas this year by the power of the gospel and the glory of grace.

On this, the first Sunday of Advent, my heart has already been arrested with Isaiah’s picture of your “Advent arms.” The promise of the Messiah carries with it the promise of the embrace we all need, but barely believe. In Jesus, you come near to us as the sovereign Lord, with your sleeves rolled up as the great ruler. Your arm rules over all history and every nation; over all kings and every circumstance; over all heartaches and every hardship. Nothing and no one can alter, subvert, or change the story you are telling through Jesus and the kingdom you are advancing through your beloved Son.

In Jesus, you come near to us as the most compassionate Shepherd, gathering and carrying your lambs in your arms. This image is profoundly comforting and hope-engendering. To be tended as dependent lambs by the Lord of glory… to be held close to your heart… to be gently led—what more could we possibly long for?

Father, we are so thankful these aren’t mere metaphors. Metaphors cannot save us, only inspire us. You really are this kind of God and you really are this kind God. How can we not shout with gladness, in response to such good news? Only your perfect love can drive all pestering, lingering, paralyzing fears from our hearts.

The coming of Jesus puts all nations on notice: there is only one true King. And the coming of Jesus puts all your people face down in adoring love, for Jesus is a most wonderful, merciful Savior—Immanuel, the God who is with us and the God who is for us. So very Amen we pray, with Advent wonder and hope, in Jesus’ matchless name.

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