Daily Advent ~ Dec. 20th

Advent 2013

Friday, December 20th

Old Testament: "In that day you will say, 'I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song.'" Isaiah 12:1-2

New Testament: "So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.'" Luke 2:16-20

Sure enough, the shepherds found the baby and his parents just like the angel had told them. Mary and Joseph were staying in a cave (experts believe) apart from their family- even though they were from the line of King David. The shepherds are the first visitors to greet baby Jesus and the first to spread the news about his birth. They amazed person after person with their account of the angels and then their finding of Jesus in a manger.

I love the line: "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Life is full of ups and downs. I have learned to hold onto anchor points. Anchor points are moments in life when perhaps an event has happened, a discovery has been made or a decision has occurred that make a permanent impact on your journey of life. I can look back on my life and see those moments or events that have shaped me into the person I am today. When storms of life hit and I feel tossed around, I know I will not stray any farther than my most recent anchor point. Mary keeps the events of Jesus' birth close to her heart. What she will watch her son endure in 30 more years is so painful that she will need to remind herself of all the promises of God. The greater the revelation, the more difficult the journey.

Daily Advent ~ Dec. 19th

Thursday, December 19th

Advent 2013

Old Testament: "...there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulum and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-" Isaiah 9:1

New Testament: "When the angles had left them and gone into heave, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'" Luke 2:15

Right after the angles leave, the shepherds decide to travel into the town of Bethlehem and see with their own eyes this new King that has been born. Luke's tone in this verse regarding the shepherds is not a tone of doubt- but one of amazement. The shepherds have just witnessed an entire company of angels praising God at the birth of His Son. They are not saying to each other, "Hey, we should go to town to see if this is really true."  No, instead their response is more like, "Wow! That's amazing! Hey, guys, let's go to town and see this amazing event!"

These simple shepherds heard the Good News and responded without questions, worry or fear. Sometimes we make our faith so complicated, we loose the freedom and trust that comes from a life of simple faith. Let's have a childlike faith of the shepherds and respond to our Heavenly Father with joy!

Daily Advent ~ Dec. 18th

Advent 2013

Wednesday, December 18th

Old Testament: "He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say, 'Surely this is our God; we trusted him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.'" Isaiah 25:8-9

I love the imagery of Jesus swallowing up death forever. Just like Adam and Eve swallowed the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil back in Genesis, so too Jesus swallows death forever, never allowing it to have dominion over us again.

New Testament: Angel's Proclamation to the Shepherds continued: "'Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; his is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you; you will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'" Luke 2:11-14

The angel tells the shepherds what has just happened and where to find the Christ child. In case one glorious angel wasn't enough, Luke records that suddenly, a great company of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel praising God. I can't imagine senses that were awakened in that moment. The angels radiated glory. I imagine the shepherds were astounded by what they saw (if not blinded by the magnificence of light), amazed at what they had just heard and even shaken by the vibration of the angel's praising. Indeed, the light of the world has been born.

Why the shepherds? Why did God choose to send forth his birth announcement to a couple of lowly shepherds in the middle of nowhere? People have pondered that for generations. I am thankful that the angel's message was given to men living in obscurity and not in position. God's Kingdom is upside-down. He exalts the humble and lays low the proud. Our God is a God who reaches down to all mankind, regardless of socioeconomic position. His love for us is great, despite what we have done or the wrong choices we have made. The unconditional love of our Heavenly Father is incomprehensible and completely magnificent.

Thank you, God, for providing a way into your Kingdom through Jesus Christ for all mankind.

Daily Advent ~ Dec. 17th

Tuesday, December 17th

Advent 2013

Old Testament: "He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist." Isaiah 11:3b-5

New Testament: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'" Luke 2:8-10

This segment of the narrative about Jesus' birth is one of my favorite. I have always loved how humble the events of Jesus' birth take place. God chooses a young girl and a young boy to parent his only begotten Son. Jesus is born in a lowly manger, on the out-skirts of town. He does not have a kings birth and is not surrounded by instant fame.

Still, God is a proud Papa who is compelled to make one tiny birth announcement.

I've often imagined what it would have been like for these shepherds, low-class of society, outside of town, there in the dark, probably half-asleep. Their eyes were adjusted to see in the dark and then suddenly an angel appears. I like how Luke writes that the glory of the Lord shone around them- the shepherds. God's glory is all-encompassing, of not just the angel, but everyone in it's path. As is so often the case, the angel tells the shepherds, "do not be afraid." These poor guys are probably blind trying to adjust their vision. The angel tells the shepherds that he has good news. Yay! Tomorrow, we'll read what good news the angel came to proclaim!

Daily Advent ~ Dec. 16th

Monday, December 16th

Advent 2013

The third week of Advent we light the Shepherds and Angel's Candle. This candle is lit to remind us that the Good News of Jesus' birth was told to simple shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. God uses ordinary people (like you and me) to do extraordinary things for His Kingdom!

Old Testament: "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him- the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge in the fear of the Lord." Isaiah 11:1-3a

New Testament: "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So 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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and 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."  Luke 2:1-7

"And he (Joseph) gave him the name Jesus." Matthew 1:25b

Mary and Joseph are in the town of Bethlehem, a town packed full of relatives. Did they find a place to stay? No. Mary and Joseph experienced rejection and judgement for carrying the Son of God.

Daily Advent~ Dec. 13th

Advent 2013 ~ Bethlehem Candle

Friday, December 13th

Old Testament: "You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings 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!'" Isaiah 40:9

"Say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with a vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.'" Isaiah 35:4

New Testament: "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son..."  Matthew 1:24-25a

Joseph was also the recipient of an angelic visitation- in his dream. Where Zachariah doubted the angel standing before him in the Holy place within the Tabernacle, Joseph's encounter was in a dream.  Yet still, Joseph woke from the dream and followed the angel's instructions with no need for further explanation. Joseph was indeed a man of great integrity. I imagine this dream from the angel was given to Joseph not just for instruction to take Mary as his wife, but also to let this young man know he would be raising the Son of God. So often we forget this young child had to grow up. Yes, Jesus was fully God, but He was also fully human. He had parents - Mary and Joseph - who taught Him to walk, taught Him right from wrong, taught Him to love God with all His heart, took Him to Church (temple), raised Him with good character, a trusting spirit and the heart of a servant. Joseph and Mary- two young kids - did an amazing job raising the Son of God.

Daily Advent ~ December 12th

Advent 2013 ~ Bethlehem Candle

Thursday, December 12th

Old Testament: "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. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." Isaiah 12:4-6

New Testament: "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' - which means 'God with us.'"  Matthew 1:22-23

This passage in Matthew gives us a hint as to the intricate plan set-up by our Heavenly Father before the foundations of the world. Jesus was never and has never been an emergency plan to redeem humanity. The life, death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ has always been God's number one plan. We see the details and hints about the life of Jesus in the Old Testament, spoken by prophets hundreds of years prior to Jesus being born. This Matthew passage reminds us that God is the master chess-player who has each event playing a part in His plan.

Jesus' name means 'God with us.' Think about that phrase: God with us. We are the reciprical of God.  It is not "us with God." God is the larger factor in this equation, and He has chosen to abide with us. Praise God! I cannot imagine my life without the support, strength, grace and faith I find only in the fact that God is with me. Years ago I watched from a distance a 2nd grader struggle with a backpack zipper before school began. He was crying and frustrated. The bell had rung and he knew the pressure was on. He didn't ask for help; he was determined to unzip it- or break it. Suddenly out of nowhere, a janitor who had also noticed his struggle, came up from behind him, got on his knees next to the small boy and unzipped the stuck jacket zipper. As if a miracle had occurred, the boy looked up at the janitor and starred. He couldn't get out his words, 'thank you,' but his face said it all. "While we were still sinners Christ died for us." God is with us. God wants to be with us. His plan is to be with us.

Blessing and peace to you this morning as our Christmas season draws closer.

Daily Advent ~ December 11th

Advent 2013 ~ Bethlehem Candle

Wednesday, December 11th

Old Testament: "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6

"Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Isaiah 53:12

New Testament: "But after he (Joseph) 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. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'" Matthew 1:20-21

Each day we draw closer to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. May you experience His peace and joy with great expectation!

Advent Reading ~ Dec.10

Advent 2013 ~ Bethlehem Candle

Tuesday, December 10th

Old Testament: "See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." Isaiah 60:2-3

I love this scripture in Isaiah. This is a prophesy of Jesus, the Light of the World, coming into darkness. This verse is echoed in John's Gospel, "the light shines in the darkness...".

New Testament: "This 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. Because 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."  Matthew 1:18-19

Our story takes a quick break from the Gospel of Luke to let Gospel of Matthew catch up.  Comparing the accounts of the same story is a fun way to grow in your understanding about the events.  Many events surrounding Jesus' life are found in multiple Gospels.  They are not written to discount each other, but to give the reader depth and a wider perspective on the events unfolding. I liken the variety of perspectives to watching a football game and asking different people at the game to share what they experienced.  Each person, due to his background and education, will have a different perspective and interpretation on the game.  Matthew takes a traditional, Jewish perspective with a masculine worldview.  Luke, being a doctor, takes a scientific view and also encompasses stories involving women and lower-class citizens.  So here we are in Matthew to continue our story.

In Jewish tradition, a couple would be engaged for a period of time and then be married. This engagement period would require divorce papers to terminate. We see Joseph's character as he does not want to publicly disgrace Mary.

Have a great day!

Daily Advent ~ December 9th

Monday, December 9th

Advent 2013 ~ Bethlehem Candle

Old Testament: "In that day you will say, 'I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song.'"  Isaiah 12:1-2

No, that is not a type-o. When a phrase is repeated, it is given extra emphasis to show it's importance. A repeated name shows endearment. The Lord is my strength and my song.

New Testament: (Mary's Song Continued...) "'He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.' Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home." Luke 1:51-56

Mary's song is filled with triumph. It reminds me of Psalm with it's proclamation of God's faithfulness and acts of majesty.  You can hear Mary's spirit rejoicing and praising God. Even before the birth and life of Jesus, The Kingdom of God is all about being "upside-down." God's very own son was going to have a simple birth to a quiet, young girl in a lowly manger in Bethlehem. The Savior of the world, the Son of God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Lamb of God is going to be born to this humble, young girl. God reaches out to the ordinary, downcast and simple of society. Mary's song pits rulers against humble people and the hungry with rich.  Mary's Magificant rejoices at God working through ordinary people to bring about extraordinary tasks.

I pray God opens your eyes today to see the meek, weak and humble of society. Human life is so very valuable- let's remain humble and seek to serve even the least of these.

Daily Advent

Advent 2013 ~ Bethlehem Candle

Sunday, December 8th

The second week of Advent, we light the Bethlehem Candle to remind us that the Son of God would be born in a humble stable in Bethlehem.

Old Testament: "On that day they will say to Jerusalem, 'Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:16-17

New Testament: "And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me- holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.'"  Luke 1:46-50

Interesting that the Greek word blessed, "makariousi," is in a future tense meaning that Mary would be blessed by future generations.  This makariousi verb is the word Elizabeth uses when she sees that Mary has believed that the Lord will fulfill His Promise through Mary (v.45 - "And blessed (makariousi) is she who believed...").  The meaning of makarios is to be indwelt by God and thereby to be fully satisfied.  The use of this "blessed" word by Mary shows that she is declaring that because she was indwelt by God, this fact would cause her to be blessed by future generations. Fascinating side-note: when Elizabeth first greets Mary she says, "Blessed among women are you..."  This "blessed" is an entirely different word! This blessed is "eulogeo" meaning, "to speak well of," like a eulogy.  When we bless (eugoleo) God, we are speaking well of Him which is asking Him to not merely to approve our plans but to interfere in our lives.

May God interfere in your life today.

Daily Advent

Advent 2013 ~ Prophecy Candle

Saturday, December 7th

Old Testament: "Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing."  Daniel 9:25

Daniel prophesies, in the Jewish chronology, when Jesus would be born and die.

New Testament: "In a loud voice she (Elizabeth) exclaimed: 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!'"  Luke 1:42-45

I love the recognition of life within Elizabeth.  Her baby, John, leaps with joy when he hears Mary's voice.  It is amazing to me how much a growing infant takes in- while inside the womb.  John responds to the audible voice of Mary.  "Blessed is she who has believed..."  We can hear truth and grow in our knowledge of the Bible, but at some point the Lord challenges us to believe; walk out our faith.  Mary hears this amazing report from the angel, and believes.

May you have a blessed Saturday- and believe.
   

Daily Advent

Advent 2013 ~ Prophecy Candle

December 6, 2013

Old Testament: "He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a rot out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."  Isaiah 53:1-3

Isaiah prophesied that Jesus was be a plain-looking man who would ultimately be rejected by his own people.

New Testament:
"'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit."  Luke 1:38-41

During a woman's first trimester, she would remove herself from society and stay with other female friends who could care for her.  It made natural sense for Mary to visit her cousin Elizabeth since she too is expecting a baby - by the grace of God.  When Elizabeth simply heard Mary's voice, her baby leaped in her womb.  I've often wondered, since Mary is the one carrying Jesus, Immanuel- God is with you, then the presence/being of God is within her. Luke records that at the moment Elizabeth's baby (John the Baptist) heard Mary's voice, he leapt and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  What a fascinating occurrence! It seems to me that Mary is bringing God's presence with her.  The Light of the Word, Redeemer of all-humanity cannot be hidden within a body.

May your day be blessed and may you experience the presence of God in your life.

Daily Advent

Thursday, December 5th

Advent 2013 ~ Prophecy Candle

Old Testament: "Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."  Isaiah 7:14

This is the prophecy Isaiah gave that Jesus would be born of a virgin and be called Immanuel, which means: "God is with us."  Fascinating that Jesus is called Immanuel and the angel first told Mary, "the Lord is with you."  The reality that the King of Kings, God of the Universe is with you and I is absolutely amazing.  Only in Christianity does God reach down to our level to and abide with us.  He remains a treasure inside our weak, earthen vessels, never leaving us, or forsaking us.

New Testament: "'How will this be, ' Mary asked the Angel, 'since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.'"  Luke 1:34-37

Here we have the unfolding of Isaiah's prophecy.  This young girl, Mary, has not had relations with a man and does not understand logically how the angel's words can come about.  Notice she is not doubting the angels words (unlike Zachariah in the previous chapter).  Instead Mary is trying to figure out how the events being told to her will play out.

As you go about your fourth day of December filled with busyness and haste, remember the Angel's words, which are still true today, "Nothing is impossible with God."

Daily Advent

Wednesday, December 4th

Advent 2013 ~ Prophecy Candle

Old Testament:
"Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever."  Isaiah 9:7

Though Isaiah was born into relative peace and prosperity, it was not long until Judah was a land ravaged by war and internally torn apart. Many of the first parts of Isaiah are prophecies about the Messiah (Jesus).  In this particular passage, Isaiah gives the prophecy that Jesus will establish King David's throne and will rule forever.

New Testament:
"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and his kingdom will never end.'"  Luke 1:30-33

Notice how closely the angel's proclamation echoes Isaiah's prophecy.  Her Son will be given "the throne of his father David, and his kingdom will never end."  The words of Isaiah hundreds of years earlier are spoken again to a new generation.  We may not see the evidence of His Kingdom in our lives everyday, but I guarantee if we pray for God to open our eyes, we will see His work going on around us to transform lives.

During this Advent season, we look with expectancy at the future promise that Jesus will be our King of righteousness and make all things right.  Whatever area of life you are struggling in, remember, God causes all things to work together for good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose.  Be encouraged to stay strong and experience God's favor and promise.

Daily Advent

Tuesday, December 3rd

Advent 2013 ~ Prophecy Candle

Old Testament:
"'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.  In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety.  This is the name by which he will be called: the Lord Our Righteousness.'"  Jeremiah 23:5,6

This is the prophecy Jeremiah had foretelling that Jesus will come from the lineage of King David.

New Testament:
"In the sixth month, God sent an angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man name Joseph, a descendant of David.  The virgin's name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.' Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be."  Luke 1:26-29

I love the angel's first phrases to Mary, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."  It reminds me of the angels first words to Gideon back in Judges 6:12, "The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior."  The angel tells Mary, just like Gideon, that the Lord is with her.  He also speaks a truth about who she is into her life - "she is highly favored."  Mary and Gideon are people who must have had a special connection with the living God.  They did not initially respond in fear, though later the angel does tell both of them not to be afraid, but they responded instead out of curiosity and faith.

May you experience God's favor and presence in your life today!
Connie

Daily Advent

Advent 2013 ~ Prophecy Candle

Monday, December 2nd:

Old Testament: "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."  Micah 5:2

The Jews in Jesus' days were not in complete agreement as to where the Messiah would be born.  Some believed the place would be unknown (John 7:27) while others quoted Micah 5:2 sighting Bethlehem as the place of birth.  When Herod was approached by the wise men from the East and he asked the religious experts where the Messiah was to be born, their response was "in Bethlehem," and they quoted Micah 5:2 (Matthew 2:1-6).

New Testament: "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."  John 1:14

Jesus is the "Word" ~ He has been part of life since before the foundations of the world!  The Word (Jesus) became flesh (was born) and dwelt among us.  If you look up Revelation 19:13, John refers to a person who wears cloths dipped in blood as, "The Word."  Our Advent verses recognize Jesus' presence in the past (Old Testament) and in the future (end times- Revelation).

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you." 1 Corinthians 16:23