2025 Advent Devotion: Day 22

Monday, December 22

Luke 1:46b-55; Isaiah 33:17-22; Revelation 22:6-7, 18-20

We have made all the online orders for the gifts that we are getting for our loved ones for this season, to show our love. We have tracked every shipment, and the information that we received for the packages says, “ON THE WAY.” What joy we have when we receive the news that the packages are on the way! The same joy is to be displayed this season of Advent for the gift that God gave to all humankind with the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Through that great news, every believer should celebrate and share the gift of Jesus to others in their lives.

In Luke 1:46-55, we see Mary, the mother of Jesus, giving God praise through song. Her song of praise is called The Magnificat, which translates from Latin to mean, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Mary praises God for how He is going to bless the whole world through her by giving birth to His Son. She sings that God is going to bless the humble people, who are poor, oppressed, and despised. When Mary says, “From now on all generations will call me blessed” some may ask, “Is she being proud or is she trying to get glory?” The answer is, “No.” Through this song, Mary is acknowledging God and accepting the gift that God has given her to be shared with the world. God had to give His only begotten Son to the whole world that He loves so much, but we have to recognize that Mary had to share her son with the whole world also. Mary displayed humility by accepting this task, this gift, and by being used to serve God in order for God to receive the glory. Through Jesus’ birth, God fulfilled His promise to His people that He would be merciful to them forever.

In Isaiah 33:17-22, God displayed His mercy to His people by reminding them to just look up, for help is on the way. Isaiah was prophesying the future when God’s people will be safe at last when the Messiah or God Himself comes to the rescue. This message gave hope to those who were going through a time of great threat from the Assyrians. The message was clear that no matter what is going on, God sees and knows all that they were going through, and help was on the way. By receiving this message, the people could then prepare themselves for God to come to their rescue.

Advent is all about preparing ourselves for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, but it is also the time when believers prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus declares that He is returning in Revelation 22:7, saying, “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” We have to be prepared for this day by keeping the Word of God in our hearts everyday of our lives and by following God’s instructions. Jesus declares in Revelation 22:20 that He is coming soon. Will you be ready?

Let us pray as we continue through this season, no matter what problems or circumstances we face in our personal lives and no matter the concerns of this world. Let us continue to have hope, faith, and joy in knowing that God is “ON THE WAY!”



Albert “A.J.” L. Sartor Jr.
School of Divinity Graduate