He shall not judge by what His eyes see or decide by what His ears hear, but with righteousness He shall judge for the poor and decide with equity for the oppressed of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and with the breath of His lips He shall kill the wicked.  Righteousness shall be the belt around His waist and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

Advent is a time of great joy and anticipation. Christ is coming! Born in a manger with angel messengers to humble shepherds, and kings bowing down with costly gifts from faraway lands. We celebrate the simplicity and innocence of the moment:  For unto us a Savior … Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Advent is also a time of reflection and contemplation. Our Christian season of Advent spans four Sundays before the event, and this very book of devotions offers daily opportunities to ponder the promises and visions through centuries of experience of God’s people.

We celebrate the birth of a baby and the miracles that brought us to the manger in Bethlehem—moments warm and cozy, filled with love, tenderness, and cheer. But many of the Scriptures that mark these devotions point to a Savior come to redeem a people long trampled underfoot—a Savior who will stand for the people in the face of oppression, greed, and power. There was hurt … and hunger … and poverty … and discrimination … and longing.

Those conditions remain today.

So, as we rejoice today in this season, let us also remember that His gift to us is a vision of His kingdom—and the means to achieve it. We must stand for the poor, the oppressed, those marginalized into the far corners of society. The King of Heaven come to Earth as human points the way.

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Contributed by Jim Gilbreath