The SteadfastPress Advent Devotional is now available!
Our meditation for this Advent centers around Jesus as our Prophet, Priest and King, depicted in the icon that adorns the cover.
About the cover: Jesus comes as our Prophet, Priest and King. This is an Orthodox icon depicting Jesus wearing the High Priest’s garments, as He sits on the throne as King, along with the Crown of Glory. Jesus also holds a book of Prophecy. The Arabic on the top of the icon is read from right to left, and says, “Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest”. The book also has Arabic, and it says, “I am the Good Shepherd, and the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” This points us to the Fourth Week in Advent, where Christ will be shown to come as the Good Shepherd, or as you will see, the Good Pastor. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus arriving on earth two millennia ago, we also get to see how Christ has also called Pastors to give us this same Jesus.
This year’s author is Rev. Nathaniel Brown, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church-Correll, MN, Trinity Lutheran Church-Odessa, MN and Trinity Lutheran Church-Town Walter, MN. He introduces this year’s devotions with the following thoughts for the LAST SATURDAY OF THE CHURCH YEAR.
People loved by God, tomorrow, the holy Church begins her journey to the joy of the Christmas season, where we celebrate Jesus Christ coming down to earth, and being our Immanuel, which we hear in Matthew chapter one means God with us. This story is well known for us as believers, but amidst the busy-ness of the season, with more services occurring, Christmas shopping, Christmas parties, the plenteous holiday feasting from Thanksgiving through the new calendar year, it can be easy to forget why Jesus laid aside His glory and was born of virgin’s womb. These devotions will help you to refocus on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, and how Jesus has given His Office of the Holy Ministry, that is, His Pastors, to you, so that, that man called to your place, would bring you to Christ, our Good Pastor. So tomorrow, as we begin this journey to the Baby laid in a manger in Bethlehem, go to Church. Be fed by His Word and Sacraments, and use this devotion as a supplement for that needed part of your life.
Heavenly Father, as we deal with the added stress, the hustle and bustle of this season, help us to humble ourselves under Your mighty Hand, that we would have our hearts and minds focused on Your Son, Jesus Christ, our LORD, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
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