Emmanuel—God with us—is beyond extraordinary if we truly pause, even momentarily, to reflect.

How can it be that the one and only, all-powerful God of the universe came to earth to be born to a nondescript carpenter and his betrothed in the most base and humble of circumstances—even for them? And while an “advent” is the coming or arrival of something—or someone—important or noteworthy, this Advent is not simply uncommon, it is unfathomable. Yet our God has shown us time and time again that He can use the shabby to highlight the sublime, as He has woven and revealed His story throughout history. They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” (John 6:42).

God With Us: the uncommon advent of our Savior explores the contrast—God’s eternal truth in a world ripe with lies, God’s grace right before our eyes. The meditations penned for this year’s edition utilize the LCMS daily lectionary and reflect the individual and personal ways that the Holy Spirit has worked in and through each life. The authors are part of the Concordia University community—faculty, staff, administrators, or students from our Wisconsin or Ann Arbor campus—who has been eternally redeemed by the newborn king in Bethlehem. We pray that these daily readings from God’s Word and varied voices and experiences of the authors will be used by the Holy Spirit to bless and encourage you during this Advent.

Jason Germain and Marc Martel, in their refrain of How Many Kings (2008), communicate the core of this sacred season compellingly.

How many kings step down from their thrones? How many lords have abandoned their homes? How many greats have become the least for me? And how many gods have poured out their hearts to romance a world that is torn all apart? How many fathers gave up their sons for me? Only one did that for me.

So, I invite you to pause and ponder and pray. May the uncommon love and sacrifice of our swaddled Savior touch your heart and life in a fresh way through the power of the Holy Spirit.


Schedule

Foreword | CUW student / Director of Web and Design Dan Baker

Dec. 3 | Isaiah 9:8-10:11 and 1 Peter 5:1-14 | Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson, VP of Administration

Dec. 4 | Isaiah 10:12-27a, 33-34 and 2 Peter 1:1-21 | Brooke Johnson, Associate VP of Academics

Dec. 5 | Isaiah 11:1-12:6 and 2 Peter 2:1-22 | Dr. Jordan Beck, Arts & Sciences, CUW

Dec. 6 | Isaiah 14:1-23 and 2 Peter 3:1-18 | Grace Sugg, CUW Student

Dec. 7 | Isaiah 24:1-13 and 1 John 1:1-2:14 | Lisa Mariani, President’s Office, CUW

Dec. 8 | Isaiah 24:14-25:12, Obadiah 1-21, 1 John 2:15-29 | Dr. Michael Uden, VP for Enrollment

Dec. 9 | Isaiah 26:1-19 and 1 John 3:1-24 | Alex Riehle, Admissions, CUW

Dec. 10 | Isaiah 26:20-27:13 and 1 John 4:1-21 | Dr. Kyle Chuhran, Education, CUAA

Dec. 11 | Isaiah 28:14-29, 1 John 5:1-21, 2 John 1-13, 3 John 1-15 | Jenifer Pries, Athletics, CUAA

Dec. 12 | Isaiah 29:1-14 and Jude 1-25 | Aaron Halboth, CUAA Student

Dec. 13 | Isaiah 29:15-30:14 and Revelation 1:1-20 | Dr. R. S. Hill, Arts & Sciences, CUAA

Dec. 14 | Isaiah 30:15-26 and Revelation 2:1-29 | Dr. Kehinde Irabor, Arts & Sciences, CUW

Dec. 15 | Isaiah 30:27-31:9 and Revelation 3:1-22 | Dr. Elizabeth Eernisse, Health Professions, CUW

Dec. 16 | Isaiah 32:1-20 and Revelation 4:1-11 | Harrison Hulse, CUW Student

Dec. 17 | Isaiah 33:1-24 and Revelation 5:1-14 | Dr. Angela Brooks, Business, CUW

Dec. 18 | Isaiah 34:1-2, 8-35:10, Micah 1:1-7:20, and Revelation 6:1-17 | Kyle Thoms, Admissions, CUAA

Dec. 19 | Isaiah 40:1-17 and Revelation 7:1-17 | Christy Call, Strategic Partnerships, CUW

Dec. 20 | Isaiah 40:18-41:10 and Revelation 8:1-13 | Dr. Patrick Steele, Arts & Sciences, CUW

Dec. 21 | Isaiah 42:1-25 and Revelation 9:1-12 | Rachel Yuhas, CUAA Student

Dec. 22 | Isaiah 43:1-24 and Revelation 9:13-10:11 | Dr. Jeff Smith, Health Professions, CUAA

Dec. 23 | Isaiah 43:25-44:20 and Revelation 11:1-19 | Dr. Beth Heiss, Business, CUAA

Dec. 24 | Isaiah 44:21-45:13, 20-25, Daniel 10:1-12:13, Isaiah 48:1-22, and Revelation 12:1-17 | Dr. Erik Ankerberg, CUWAA President


DR. MICHAEL UDEN

Vice President, Enrollment


About this series

“God With Us: the uncommon advent of our Savior” is a sampling of biblical meditations composed by members of the CUWAA community. It is our prayer that you will take time during the Advent season to read and reflect upon God’s Word and await the coming of Jesus with newfound enthusiasm and anticipation through the Holy Spirit.