By Gianni Gracia

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Between the “now” of our daily lives and the “not yet” of Christ’s return, the apostle Paul writes to encourage believers in the faith. First, he who sanctifies is God, who is also “the God of peace” (v. 23), a peace established on the cross. Additionally, God’s sanctification of us signifies our separation from a life of sin, and he creates in us the desire to devote ourselves to a life set apart for him.

Second, this sanctification is the transformation of a being in its entirety. Certain groups of people in Greece and Macedonia placed a low value on the human body, considering it merely a prison from which the soul must be set free. For this reason, many believers in Thessalonica felt overwhelming sadness and uncertainty when someone died because they were doubtful of whether or not buried bodies would participate in the glory of the coming of Christ. But Paul reassures the believers that, as a result of their sanctification through God, they will be entirely and completely conserved by the power of God to be accepted in the glory of Christ when he returns for his church.

Lastly, Paul affirms, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this” (v. 24). In other words, the guarantee here is that our God is not a mediocre God, and that should fill us with an abundance of hope and trust. We doubt, we fail, and we feel the weight of our sufferings, but God does not doubt, God does not fail, and he does not falter. Hence, not only does God’s sanctifying work reassure and strengthen us, but it also renews our yearning for Christ’s return, where he will receive us as unblemished and blameless and with exuberant joy because it will be the moment in which we will ultimately fulfill our purpose.

Prayer: Jesus, come soon. Your people are here, and in the midst of our own struggles and the pain of a broken world, we yearn for your return. Only then will everything be made new. Only then will we will abide in your perfect presence forever. Help us be renewed in your sanctification today and every day. Amen.

Gianni Gracia is pastor of Vida y Esperanza Church, an RCA church plant in Miami, Florida.

By Liz Testa

Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
      and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
      Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
      and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
      from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
      he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
      and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
      and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
      in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
      to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Can you imagine what it must have felt like for Mary to be chosen by God to become the mother of the Messiah? What a sense of awe and wonder must have come over her—as well as a good measure of astonishment and even fear. Another person might have run in the opposite direction upon hearing such news, but Mary stayed calm and sensible, and most importantly, she listened. She listened to what the angel told her about God’s plan, about the presence of the Holy Spirit, and about the great impact this unfolding story would have on the whole world.

The angel also told her about her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant unexpectedly. Mary listened to all this and moved forward with purpose. Whatever her initial feelings, she quickly went to visit Elizabeth, where she found joyful confirmation, affirmation, and companionship. This must have given her great confidence and peace, and allowed her to embrace her “chosen” status fully, resulting in her sharing this beautiful song of praise, known as the Magnificat.

The words of Mary’s song echo her own transformation from a startled, questioning young woman to a purpose-filled, trusting mother-to-be. When the Holy Spirit covered her, she not only became pregnant with our Lord and Savior, but was empowered with a deep sense of purpose, giving her holy boldness to embrace God’s favor and see herself among the faithful, in the family tree as one of those who fear God from generation to generation (v. 50).

During this Advent season, as we once again await the coming of the Christ child, how might we embrace the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, emboldening us, like Mary, to live into God’s plan for us?

Prayer: Holy and loving God, thank you for the example of Mary, who listened, believed and embraced your plan for her life. Like Mary, empower us to live confidently, joyfully, and boldly into our callings so that others may experience the liberating love, hope, joy, and peace of the one we call the Messiah. In the name of Emmanuel, God with us, we pray. Amen.

Liz Testa is the RCA’s coordinator for Women’s Transformation and Leadership

By Enrique Cuevas-Castillo

Psalm 126
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
      we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
      and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
      “The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
      and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
      like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
      reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
      bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
      carrying their sheaves.

The psalmist reminds us that, although we live with the joy of the Lord, and his mercies are new each morning, tears are also a reality in the life of the believer. Jesus never promised a life free of affliction and tears, but he did promise us a life that is victorious over problems: “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33). So what can we do when we are faced with painful situations?

I grew up thinking that money was used for two things: saving or spending. I either put my money in my piggy bank or I bought material goods. As an adult, I have realized that there is a third option: investing the money to obtain returns. God encourages us to carry out this third option with our tears and our pain. He doesn’t want us to keep back or avoid our tears, nor does he want us to squander them. Instead, God wants us to invest them by offering them in prayer to him so that they produce returns of joy, of character, and of maturity in our life.

Have you ever viewed tears as an investment? We have a God to whom we can pour out our tears, our frustrations, and our pain because he understands us and transforms us through them. These days of Advent remind us that we have a God who became flesh, who came into this world and experienced suffering, affliction, and pain. Advent also reminds us that this affliction gives a return of salvation and eternal life for those who believe.

Just as the return doesn’t happen overnight, the tears that we pray before God will take time to bear the fruit of joy, character, and hope. But we are assured that, by sowing our tears in Christ, we will reap the fruit of justice with rejoicing.

Prayer: Holy Father, I remember and give you thanks for sending Jesus, your beloved Son, the man of sorrows. Through him, you justified and took away the iniquities of your people. Through your Holy Spirit, help us to pour out our tears and sadness in your presence, knowing that you understand us, console us, and strengthen us. Amen.

Enrique Cuevas-Castillo is pastor of Iglesia Alas de Aguila, an RCA church plant in Allendale, Michigan.

People and history are filled with layers upon layers of complexity. In the face of that complexity, we can easily ignore two of the deepest truths that Advent attests to.

First, humanity is deeply broken and in desperate need of a Savior. We live in and are a part of a sinful world, a world of broken relationships with God and neighbor. This is true for all people, in all times and all places. Second, the work of God through the incarnation of Jesus Christ is both greater and more mysterious than we want to admit. The Word became flesh to save us and now through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word becomes flesh in us, in order to restore us and equip us for the continued work of redeeming all of creation back to God.

This Scripture passage paints a rich portrait of people coming together through the redemptive power of the gospel. In this biblical account we see the living God causing “righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations” (v. 11). Rather than conforming to the patterns of this world, Advent invites Christians into a new perspective that encourages each person to joyfully embrace their own culture and at the same time celebrate the cultural differences of other sisters and brothers in Christ.

In a broken world often marked by tribalism and suffering, the gospel offers expressions of unity through praise and hope for oneness without sameness. In the kingdom of God, diversity within God’s people is not just a nice commodity for contemporary Christianity. Instead, multicultural worshiping communities serve as a faithful witness of the living image of God to the whole world.

Prayer: Living God, continue to renew and transform us during this Advent season. Teach us your ways and remind us to praise you in our rejoicing and even in our grieving. Transform and conform us more into the likeness of your son, Jesus Christ, in order that the Word may become flesh in us. Amen.

Carlos Corro is pastor of Imago Church, a church plant in Visalia, California, and president of the RCA Council for Hispanic Ministries.

For many people, Advent is one of the most exciting times of the year. Families that are scattered come together to celebrate. The atmosphere is full of lights, songs, and festivities. And even though this is the case for many families, there are other realities that many people face. There are people who are alone, who are not able to visit or be visited by family members. There are people who are desperate, and depression comes. For these people, Advent can be a burden, a reminder that their lives don’t seem to measure up.

The prophet Isaiah has a word for people who are suffering. He prophesies about the coming of the Messiah. The anointing upon the Savior will accomplish several things. The Savior will come to bring hope to a world that is hopeless. He will bring good news to those who are sick, sad, depressed, and alone. His promise is as his name says: Emmanuel, God with us. And as he leaves this earth his promise stands, and he declares, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

In this season, let us be sure to share this good news with people who need it most. Let us share the Lord’s favor, let us comfort those who mourn, and let us celebrate that God is with us.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming to this earth and shining your light upon us. Help us remember the good news of the gospel, and help us have compassion for those who still need to know you. Amen.

Rodrigo Cano is pastor of Communidad Cristiana de Grand Rapids, an RCA church plant in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

By Ricardo Velázquez

Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
        who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
        ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
        make his paths straight,’”

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Coming soon!

These words are meant to catch our attention. Whether it’s a film, a show, a new store, or a whole shopping center, the words are meant to excite us and let us know that there is something for us in the future. Because Christmas decorations get displayed as early as September, the excitement of “Coming soon!” can get lost among the usual signs of the yearly Christmas celebration, its commercialism, and its busyness. Another year of celebrating the “season” can come and go very quickly.

In the Gospel of Mark, though, the message of “Coming soon!” comes through loud and clear. And the meaning of the season is also proclaimed: Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark reminds us that Jesus didn’t just appear; instead, he was announced by someone who had been chosen long before and was given the privilege of making people aware of what was “coming soon!” That person was John the Baptist, a man whose clothing style and eating habits definitely were not his focus. He helped people realize the sin within them and their need to repent. John made it clear that neither he nor his lifestyle nor his actions were the answer, but that someone was to come soon and would make a difference in their lives through the Holy Spirit. John’s announcement excited people and made them aware, and when Jesus came, lives were changed.

Now it’s our privilege to announce Jesus. This Advent, let us shift our focus from our clothing and feasts to the exciting message of the gospel. Let us bear witness to Jesus and prepare the way for what the Holy Spirit can do in those around us. Their lives may be changed not only for a season but also for eternity.

Prayer: Lord, let us be the voices that speak your love to this world that needs you greatly. Let us be the voices that share the exciting message of salvation in you. Let us be the voices that echo the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Let us be the voices that announce that you are coming soon! Amen.

Ricardo Velázquez supports the areas of strategic leadership development, Hispanic ministries, and Next Generation Engagement for the RCA.

By Karla Moreno Camacho

2 Peter 3:14-15
Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him.

The Advent season can be full of preoccupations and worries. We are reminded daily that we live in a dysfunctional, broken, and selfish world that’s full of evil. As we long for things to be set right, we may get discouraged and continue to feel anxious about the state of the world and of our lives.

But today’s passage of Scripture encourages us to live a life of peace. Instead of wrapping ourselves with worry, we should stay committed to Christ during difficult times. Even when we try to live in the peace of Christ, we might find ourselves stressed rather than calm. So we should listen to the words of Peter and be encouraged that that the glorious day, when we will be glorified together with Christ our Savior, is drawing near.

Peter also tells us to be without spot or blemish. Being spotless doesn’t mean that we are perfect but that we are being transformed into the image of Christ each day, as long as we remain in relationship with him. It fills me with hope to know that I am not perfect and can give all the credit to Christ as I walk this path of transformation.

Someday, when Christ returns and the transformation of our world and of ourselves takes place in its fullness, we will no longer live with anxiety. What is broken will be restored. Come soon, Lord Jesus!

Prayer: Jesus, as I wait for your coming, give me your peace. Purify my heart and make me spotless. Amen.

Karla Camacho is an elder at Iglesia Nueva Esperanza, an RCA church plant in Mesa, Arizona. She is also a member of the Commission on Race and Ethnicity, a facilitator for a women’s leadership collaborative, and a seminarian at Western Theological Seminary.