Advent 1

1. When it is the Christmas season, I reflect on the steps I have taken throughout the year. I try to assess whether I have been living in God’s presence or not. One particular ability that distinguishes humans from animals is the ability to reflect, I believe. Because of this ability, we can feel regret, express gratitude, and experience emotional pain. Until Christmas Sunday, we call this period the season of Advent, which recalls the birth of Jesus. Churches around the world honor this season because the birth of Jesus signifies that the promised Messiah came to earth. During this season, I want to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ birth, God’s fulfillment of His promise through Jesus Christ, and humanity’s response to God’s fulfillment. The first part is Luke 1:26-38.

Luke 1:26–30 NRSV

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:31–34 NRSV

And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

Luke 1:35–38 NRSV

The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

2. There are four gospels in the Bible, and their focus and intention are different, even though three gospels, namely Matthew, Mark, and Luke, share similar perspectives. Scholars and pastors categorize the four gospels like this: Matthew portrays Jesus as the King of the Jews, Mark as the Servant of God, Luke as the Son of Man, and John as the Beginning and the End.

3. Following these themes, the gospel writers composed their accounts to portray Jesus, his ministry, and his messiahship. Among them, Luke’s gospel is distinct because Luke was not an eyewitness of Jesus and mentioned that he had researched Jesus using other manuscripts. According to historical records, there might have been over 100 letters and gospels written in the first century by Jesus’ disciples. This is a reasonable assumption, considering that Jesus sent at least 70 disciples for outreach in chapter 10.

4. Luke mentions the work of the Holy Spirit starting in chapter 1, while John states that the work of the Holy Spirit will come after Jesus’ ascension. According to Luke, it is through the work of the Spirit that people were able to recognize the coming of the Messiah and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Luke 1:15 NKJV

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:39–41 NASB 2020

Now at this time Mary set out and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

5. Therefore, Luke recognized that the work of the Holy Spirit is the sign of God’s fulfillment of His promise and the coming of the Messiah. It is evident that people began to follow Jesus Christ fully when they experienced the work of the Spirit starting in Acts 2. Thus, from Luke’s perspective, the key theme of Jesus’ birth and ministry is the work of the Spirit.

6. I am certain that I could not have started reading the Bible at all if the Spirit had not led me. If the Holy Spirit had not enabled me to experience His work in my life, I would not have been able to start reading and studying the Word of God. Some people believe that the work of the Spirit is special and mysterious, so we cannot experience it in modern times. I disagree with this statement because I cannot speak a word without the help of the Spirit. Every Sunday morning, I try to arrive at church before others come, and I ask for the work of the Spirit for myself and for the church. How can I preach in English? English is not my first language. I know many Korean people who have PhDs in English, yet they cannot preach. The reason I can preach in English is not because of my ability but because of the help of the Spirit, without a doubt.

Romans 8:16–17 NIrV

The Spirit himself joins with our spirits. Together they tell us that we are God’s children. As his children, we will receive all that he has for us. We will share what Christ receives. But we must share in his sufferings if we want to share in his glory.

7. Through today’s passage, I notice the word “God’s favor” for Mary. Another meaning of favor is grace. Mary was chosen by God, and it was by His mercy and grace. Certainly, God’s election is carried out by His grace. Mary did not intend to give birth to Jesus. It was not her idea. God sent the angel Gabriel to let her know that she was favored by God. God chose her as His vessel to fulfill His promise.

8. If we understand the Law of Moses, we gain a clearer understanding of why Mary could not have intended to give birth to Jesus. According to Jewish Law, if a woman knows a man before marriage, it is assumed that she has committed adultery until the wedding ceremony takes place. It takes a year to complete the wedding ceremony after the engagement. So, when Luke mentioned that she was betrothed, it means there was still time remaining before the wedding ceremony.

Exodus 20:14 NLT

“You must not commit adultery.

Deuteronomy 22:20–21 ESV

But if the thing is true, that evidence of virginity was not found in the young woman, then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done an outrageous thing in Israel by whoring in her father’s house. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

9. Because of this law, in John 8, the Pharisees and religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery. Using this example, we can easily understand that Mary could not have intended to get pregnant before the wedding ceremony. In this context, we can see two perspectives: one from Mary and one from Joseph. Even though Luke does not provide a detailed account of Joseph, we know that Joseph did not want to make a disgraceful decision regarding Mary when he found out she was pregnant. Before the angel visited him, he had discovered Mary’s pregnancy and secretly wanted to end their betrothal.

10. But as we already know, Joseph did not end their betrothal. Instead, when the angel visited him, even though he was unsure whether she was pregnant by the Spirit or not, he decided to stay with her. Joseph chose to follow the Spirit. He did not act on his own decision. He demonstrated obedience.

Matthew 1:18–19 NKJV

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Matthew 1:20–21 NKJV

But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

11. This passage shows us how Joseph struggled with his challenges and decided to follow the message of God. Also, at this point, Mary understood what would happen if she accepted God’s favor. It must have been a difficult decision. If she accepted and followed God’s favor, everything was uncertain. In this sense, it might not have looked like grace or favor, but rather trouble and trial from God, much like Job experienced. We don’t know how long Mary considered her decision. If I were in her place, it might have taken me up to three years to decide. From this perspective, we can reflect on the meaning of grace and God’s favor. I often meet many people who believe that God’s grace always brings good to us. Of course, this is true—God’s grace is always good for us. However, in the short term, it might feel like trouble because the grace of God doesn’t always appear good from our perspective. Until we are transformed by the help of the Spirit, if we don’t realize it is grace, it can feel like a painful experience.

12. I have already shared my experience of making a decision when I started Bible college. Because God showed me His grace and favor, I was able to change my path. At that time, I was supposed to start a great job with a higher salary than my friends. However, after experiencing God’s love, I changed my mind. But after my first semester at Bible college, my parents got divorced. My life became completely messy. I couldn’t understand it. I couldn’t recognize it as God’s favor until I was transformed by the Spirit. We cannot change our perspective through our own efforts or wisdom. Our perspective might change a little, but it cannot change us entirely.

13. Finally, Mary decided to accept God’s favor and shared it with Joseph, her fiancé. When she shared it, Joseph was already prepared to accept her, and they followed God’s way. Through their obedience, God’s fulfillment of the promise began, even though it had already been initiated.

14. The season of Advent is a time to remember the birth of Jesus. But it is also a season to remember God’s fulfillment and to reflect on our obedience to Him. Before God sent the angels to Joseph and Mary, and before the work of the Holy Spirit, Mary and Joseph could not understand what would happen, nor could they make any decision. Because God had already begun His work before they showed obedience, the fulfillment of God’s promise was set into motion.

15. Today’s passage shows us three things. First is God’s favor and grace in choosing His servants for the fulfillment of His promise. Second is the work of the Holy Spirit. And third is the human response, which involves accepting God’s election and favor and obeying Him. This passage clearly teaches us that God begins His work according to His timing, and then He chooses His servant for His purpose. Afterward, He sends the Helper to encourage His servant to respond to Him. Finally, through God’s grace and favor, and the work of the Spirit within us, we can follow His way. Therefore, when we want to follow God’s way, we shouldn’t focus on our own thoughts or perspectives. Instead, like Joseph and Mary, we should rely on the work of the Spirit. God will be with us, and God is on our side.