Day 5 – Jeremiah 31:31-40 Restoration of Israel
(Short version – Jeremiah 31:31-34)
Only the kingdom of Judah remains, but the kings of Judah continue to reject and disobey God. However, we get another message from God through the prophet Jeremiah, and it is of hope! What is the new covenant? How is it different from before?
Day 6 – Isaiah 52:13-53:12 The Suffering and Glory of the Servant
(Short version – Isaiah 53:4-12)
We go back to the book of Isaiah to see what the Messiah is going to be like and to get a better understanding of what Jesus is going to do when he comes as the Messiah. What does it look like? Why is the Messiah like a lamb?
Day 7 – John 1:1-18 The Word became Flesh
(Short version – John 1:1-5 & 10-14)
Now we are in the New Testament, and we are reading from the gospel of John. However, even though we have moved to the New Testament, John starts from the very beginning – Genesis again. Who is the “Word” that was from the beginning and through it all things were made?
Day 8 – Luke 1:5-25, 57-80 The Birth of John the Baptist
(Short version – Luke 1:5-15 & 57-66)
We have the story of John the Baptist’s birth. The opening of barren wombs is a strong theme in the Old Testament. Sarah, Rachael, Hannah all experienced barrenness, but God was gracious and opened up their wombs. Israel was also experiencing barrenness as they were waiting for the Messiah. This story shows the messianic theme of great hope, culminating in Jesus!
Day 9 – Luke 2:1-20 The Birth of Jesus
It is day 9, and we finally meet Jesus! This is the wonderful Christmas story, and the great news of Jesus’s birth was announced by the angels to the shepherds. We have been waiting for this time since the beginning of Lent. Celebrate that Jesus is finally here! Why do you think that it was the shepherds who heard the news and see Jesus first, and why that would be important?
Day 10 – Matthew 2:1-12 The Visit of the Magi
We continue to read about the Christmas story, and we read the story of the Magi (wise men) visiting Jesus. The Magi are the second group of people (after the shepherds) to know about Jesus’s birth and to visit him. Why is this significant and how do they compare to King Herod?
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