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Advent Blog - Entries written by Mark Schmitz

WedWednesdayDecDecember23rd2009

Day 23: The Christmas Light

Posted Wednesday, December 23 2009 @ 12 PM byMark Schmitz Tagged Advent Blog John 1:1-9 0 comments Add comment

John 1:1-9

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

One of my daughter’s favorite things this Christmas season has been seeing all the decorative lights on the houses. As we drive too and from church she asks me to slow down so she can see the lighted houses. As a “grown-up” I look at the lights and laugh at the gaudiness of some of the houses, but not Evie. She loves the lights, no matter how green or red. They are all beautiful to her.

I think as we grow older we find ourselves becoming more and more callus to the things around us. Things that peeked our interest when we were young have become stale and unnattractive. As we see in John 1, Christ’s light came in to a dark world. I hope that we never lose sight of the true beauty of His light. May we look on Him and His Word and find him more beautiful every day.

SatSaturdayDecDecember19th2009

Day 19: Don't Miss Him...

Posted Saturday, December 19 2009 @ 11 AM byMark Schmitz Tagged Advent Blog Luke 2:1-7 0 comments Add comment

Luke 2:1-7

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The first chapter of Luke reveals some of the cultural expectations during Christ’s day. The Messiah, it was believed, would overthrow enemy occupation, restore righteousness and justice on the earth, set right all wrongs, and remove oppression from the land. The Messiah would then rule and reign over all the earth from the throne of David in Jerusalem. The cultural expectations were high. Israel longed for it’s Messiah-- Israel longed to be free.

Chapter two of Luke reveals that the birth and life of Christ would not exactly fit the expectations His culture had set. The circumstances surrounding His birth were in no way kingly. Instead, it was a humble, lonely event.

Christ was overlooked, ridiculed, and neglected by the ones waiting for His arrival. The long-expected Savior came not as a king, but as a baby in a manger. As we celebrate His birth this busy Christmas season, don’t miss Him.

FriFridayDecDecember18th2009

Day 18: Joseph's Example

Posted Friday, December 18 2009 @ 11 AM byMark Schmitz Tagged Advent Blog Joseph Matthew 1:18-21 0 comments Add comment

Matthew 1:18-21

18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

In this passage of Matthew, we meet Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Our first glimpse of Joseph is in the midst of a crisis. His life has been turned upside-down. Mary, his potential bride, has become pregnant. He knows the child growing within Mary is not his own. What is he to do? What should his response be? Would he reject his bride publicly or cut off the relationship privately? What a difficult position to be in. But, it is here, in the crucible of faith, that a man’s mettle is tested and refined.

As we know, Joseph said “yes” to God’s plan. Much is mentioned about Mary’s faithfulness in hearing and listening to God, but little is usually mentioned about Joseph and his faithfulness. He is a model for what it means to live for the Kingdom. Joseph was a man, who without any consideration for his own personal gain, without any regard for how it would cost him, gave up his own plans and dreams and followed what God was calling him to.

Joseph stepped out in faith, and obeyed. Oh that we might step out in faith, and put God’s plan before our own!

SatSaturdayDecDecember12th2009

Day 12: Patience

Posted Saturday, December 12 2009 @ 11 AM byMark Schmitz Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

James 5:7-10

7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

We live in a culture that cannot wait. We have to have something resolved immediately or as soon as humanly possible. We need an answer right away. American culture places value on quick thinking and decisiveness. But, as James commands, we need to have patience. We could benefit by having patience with others. If we have so much trouble trying to come to a conclusion on important decisions or questions in life, how much more might other people struggle? So many times we find ourselves at the forefront of our mind. Patience and selflessness walk hand in hand. We also need patience with circumstances in life. Often times, our ducks just don't line up for us. A lot of times it seems as if they never will. I think that patience is one of the most undervalued assets we can obtain. James exhorts us here to be patient until the coming of the Lord. We do not know the time or the season, but the time for patience is now.

FriFridayDecDecember11th2009

Day 11: Though you are small...

Posted Friday, December 11 2009 @ 11 AM byMark Schmitz Tagged Advent Blog Bethlehem Micah 5:2-5 0 comments Add comment

Micah 5:2-5

2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." 3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. 5 And he will be their peace.

The creator of all things came into the world in the smallest of places: Bethlehem, a backwater town in the middle of nowhere. The Ancient of Days, came to a working-class carpenter and his teenage bride-to-be, people of no great importance or stature. He showed himself first to shepherds, men of no real social standing, with the smell of the field on them. His first night was spent in a feeding trough.

He wrapped Himself in the fragile, mortal flesh of a baby. Christ came in the weakest, most vulnerable form imaginable. What a beautiful contradiction. As we reflect on His birth, may it continually remind us that He can take the smallest of things and make them great; He can take the weakest of things and make them strong.

SatSaturdayDecDecember5th2009

Day 6: Reason to Sing

Posted Saturday, December 05 2009 @ 11 AM byMark Schmitz Tagged Advent Blog Isaiah 12 0 comments Add comment

Isaiah 12:2-6

2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."

I don’t know about you, but I love the Christmas season’s music: Music from Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Mannheim Steamroller. Songs like The Christmas Song, and Frosty the Snowman cause me to reminisce about Christmas' of seasons past. Christmas music is great! It is around Thanksgiving that we dust off all our Christmas CDs and start filling our house with the “sounds of the season”. No matter where you go there’s no lack of the Christmas season’s sounds.

But, as we contemplate this passage in Isaiah, I am challenged to consider the reason for my Christmas music. Am I celebrating the season or am I celebrating the Savior. May we not miss the real reason for singing this Christmas season. I pray that you too will find this season a wonderful time to raise your voice, and shout to the ends of the earth that Jesus Christ is Lord.

“Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.”

FriFridayDecDecember4th2009

Day 5- The Dawn

Posted Friday, December 04 2009 @ 11 AM byMark Schmitz Tagged Advent Blog Dawn Zephaniah 3 0 comments Add comment

Zephaniah 3:19-20

19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame.

20 At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes," says the LORD.

What a beautiful picture is painted for us at the end of Zephaniah three. In the beginning of Zephaniah we watch as the dark clouds of judgment gather and crash against God’s people. We wonder if there’s any hope for His flock. All seems lost, and all seems hopeless. It is at this darkest point that the divine promise of Zephaniah three is fully realized.

The first light of dawn has arrived. The Shepherd King steps into the midst of His flock. He heals His wounded and gathers His lost to Himself. The trials and tribulations were great, but His mercy and grace are greater.

Life seems dark at times. But as one of his beloved flock we are guaranteed that just beyond today’s clouds are the sun-rays of his loving grace, mercy, and praise.

Advent Blogby We hope this series of readings and comments will help you prepare your mind and heart this advent season.