Advent Words Day 1 ~ Appear

 Day 1 ~ Appear

"For the grace of God has appeared…" Titus 2:11

Paul begins this passage (Titus 2:11-14) with an epiphany - literally an epiphany! The Greek word used for "has appeared" is the verb epiphaino, from which we get our English word "epiphany". In Greek the word means "to show forth, appear, manifest, reveal, shine light upon with the idea of a sudden or unexpected appearing". (Zodhiates Word Dictionary) In classical Greek it was used as a metaphor for the sun, rising in the east and shining out. Over time it became used for the manifestation of a divine being.

 

Paul says in our passage that God's grace "has appeared", meaning he is pointing to a specific event that took place at a specific time in history. Similar language in the Old Testament points us to this historic event in the New Testament.

 

In Isaiah's prophecy of the coming Messiah, he promised that,

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned!" Isaiah 9:2

 

He later spoke that God would make the Messiah,

"a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." Isaiah 49:8

 

In Zechariah's song of praise regarding the role his son, John the Baptist, would have in preparing the people for the coming of the Lord, he praises the Lord, the Messiah, as the one who will,

"...give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,

Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." Luke 1:78-79

 

Luke uses this same Greek word, epiphaino, in the above passage where he says "to shine". The Gospel writers and Paul connect the epiphany - the appearing of God's grace - with the coming of the Messiah, the incarnation of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Grace came to us with the incarnation.

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

"Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:16-17

 

Paul reiterates the appearing of God's grace through Jesus elsewhere in the New Testament:

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus…" 2 Timothy 1:8-10

 

"But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." Titus 3:4-5

 

In Christ, in His incarnation - his birth, his life, his death and resurrection - the grace of God has appeared.  

God's grace has burst forth like the dawn!

 

It brings to mind one of the verses from Silent Night:

"Silent night, holy night.

Son of God loves pure light.

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth."

 

But that will not be His only appearance. Our passage in Titus 2 also reveals that we wait for "the blessed hope - the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ". Paul also uses epiphanio (noun) here. In fact, this is a word Paul often uses for the second coming of Christ.

 

Jesus himself spoke of His second coming in a similar manner:

“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." Matthew 24:30

 

In the letter to the Hebrews we also see this double appearance of Christ:

"But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." Hebrews 9:26-28

 

The Advent season serves as a reminder that we live in this present age between the two Advents of Christ - from grace to glory. Charles Spurgeon once said of the two Advents, 

"Behind us is our trust. Before us is our hope". 

This is how we live in this present age: trusting in the grace of God's salvation in the life and death of Jesus Christ on our behalf and focusing on the hope of glory that will come to those who believe in and wait for His promised return. Grace to glory!

Share how you express today's word on social media using #adventwords2021. You can also share in the Words Challenge Fcebook Group.

 

Advent Words 2021 ~ Grace to Glory

 

Advent Words 2021 ~ Grace to Glory

Tomorrow we begin our sixth Advent Words Challenge. These Advent challenges are designed to be an opportunity to slow down in the midst of a season that can feel overly busy and chaotic, and spend time with the words that express the meaning of the Advent season. We take them into our heart and mind and ponder the words of Scripture as we read them, meditate on them, and express them creativly.

This year we are spending the first half of the words challenge in one passage of Scripture: Titus 2:11-14. This passage is a passage that calls us to live with purpose in between the two Advents, or appearings, of Christ. We are called to live with the double gazing that is at the heart of Advent - to draw our purpose and our motivation from looking back and looking forward. We look back at the promised Messiah fulfilled in the birth of Christ, in His life and ministry, and in His death and resurrection, while at the same time, looking forward to His promised return when He will make all things new.

Today we will set up some context for our passage.

11 "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."  Titus 2:11-14

Our passage begins with the word "for", which in Greek is a term of explanation (gar), meaning the word is leading us to an explanation for what has previously been stated. So, much like we do when we see a "therefore", we generally need to look at what was said before the "for" in order to understand what the passage we are reading is giving an explanation of. If we make it a practice to pause while reading and studying the Bible whenever we see terms such as for, therefore, so that, since, because, in order that, etc., then we will grow in our understanding of God's Word. Pausing enables us to slow down and engage actively in understanding God's Word, which in turn leads us to live it out more fully.

Context rules in Bible study. Too often verses are taken out of context and then used in ways that distort their original meaning and intent. To understand the context of our passage, the "for" requires us to look back at Titus 2:1-10. Here we read that Paul is instructing Titus, his disciple, how to teach various groups in the church "what is in accord with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1). In other words, how to live and behave as those who know the teachings of Christ. Paul, in his letters, continually preaches that knowing sound or good doctrine will lead to godly or good living. Paul believed that what one believes affects how one lives.

Paul's examples of godly behavior in Titus 2:1-10 conclude with "so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive". These words were not simply meant for the servants spoken of in verse 9, but are applicable to all of God's people. That we will live our lives in ways that people see Christ in us. That our lives - how we behave and speak, how we treat others, our decisions and choices - will be a testimony to God and will impact others for His glory.

So, our passage, Titus 2:11-14, springs from 2:10, and we can ask, "Why should we live our lives in a manner that makes the teaching about God attractive?". Because "the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

Between the first Advent, the incaration of Christ, and the second Advent, Christ's return, we are called to a way of life that is characterized by godly living and good deeds for the sake of Christ. Over the next two weeks we will dig into the many Advent words contained in this passage and discover how they call us to live for Christ from grace to glory.

Below is our calendar for the Advent Words Challenge.

Click on calendar for a downloadable PDF

Join us!

• I will post daily Bible study devotions, along with how I responded creatively, on this blog each day  November 28 through December 24. You can follow this blog by email or there will be daily links to the posts in the Words Challenge Facebook group
• Respond with whatever creative practice you choose: art journaling, mixed media art, scrapbook, photography, digital art, poetry, creative writing, calligraphy - any way you choose! As you take in the Scripture and devotions into your heart and mind, let it sink even deeper as you practice creatively with your hands.
• Join the Words Challenge Facebook group where you can share your art and ideas and join the conversation through the Advent season and beyond.  I typically host a number of Words Challenges throughout the year. 
• Share on Instagram and other social media with the hashtag #adventwords2021.
• Reflect and prepare: choose the creative form you will use for your daily practice. Make or buy a journal that fits your creative form.

Advent Words Challenge Calendar

 

Advent Words Challenge Calendar

Here is the calendar and word list for our Advent Words Challenge this year.

Click on calendar for a printable PDF version

Join along for this art and faith challenge that will help us slow down and spend time in God's Word through the Advent season. Here's how to participate:

• I will post daily Bible study devotions, along with how I responded creatively, on this blog each day  November 28 through December 24. You can follow this blog by email or there will be daily links to the posts in the Words Challenge Facebook group
• Respond with whatever creative practice you choose: art journaling, mixed media art, scrapbook, photography, digital art, poetry, creative writing, calligraphy - any way you choose! As you take in the Scripture and devotions into your heart and mind, let it sink even deeper as you practice creatively with your hands.
• Join the Words Challenge Facebook group where you can share your art and ideas and join the conversation through the Advent season and beyond.  I typically host a number of Words Challenges throughout the year. 
• Share on Instagram and other social media with the hashtag #adventwords2021.
• Reflect and prepare: choose the creative form you will use for your daily practice. Make or buy a journal that fits your creative form.

Here is the list in Instagram format:

Right click on image to save or copy

 Commonplace Box?

You gotta love Instagram. I enjoy scrolling through and looking at art and other inspiring ideas. Last week @kriscamealy posted an idea she got from @shapingtheriver (aka Christine Heister). The idea was to use a card catalog and write the kinds of quotes you put in a commonplace book on index cards and file them in the card catalog. Kris posted a photo of the card catalog/filing box she purchased and commented that she was going to file her cards by topic. I fell in love with this idea!

First, I love vintage filing boxes/card catalogs. I have a small collection of wood ones. I mainly collect vintage Weis boxes, which were made not far from where I live from the late 1800's through 1963. Plus I enjoy writing on index cards. In fact, when I go to estate sales I pick up packages of older index cards whenever I see them. Older index cards are made from a nice heavyweight paper. The index cards they sell in stores now are so flimsy. I like the weight of vintage ones.

Second, I love the practice of commonplacing. I have practiced it since long before I knew what it was called, always writing quotes or passages from books in my written journals. Here is a definition from a blog post I wrote about the practice way back in 2013 when I first learned about the term.

"Commonplacing is the act of selecting important phrases, lines, and/or passages from texts and writing them down; the commonplace book is the notebook in which a reader has collected quotations from works she or he has read. Commonplace books can also include comments and notes from the reader."  (From "Commonplaces: An Introduction" by John Hilgart and Van Hillard

Some other definitions:

• A book into which notable extracts from other works are copied for personal use.
• A notebook in which you enter memorabilia.
• The recording of words and ideas in a commonplace.
  

So, combining the idea of a commonplace book in a filing box on index cards - what could be better! And I love Kris' idea of cataloging them by topic. It makes them easy to find when I'm looking for a quote for a blog post or to place in an art journal. PLUS, I'm decorating them just a bit with some collage or washi tape. It all makes this a perfect ongoing project! 

Thanks Kris and Christine for turning me on to a great idea, or maybe a new addiction!

The 2021 Advent Words Challenge is just around the corner! You can read about what this year's challenge will look like here.

Advent Word 2021: Coming Soon!

 Advent Words 2021: Coming Soon!

We are just a few weeks away from the Advent season. This is my sixth year hosting the Advent Words Challenge and I have been thinking a lot about how to proceed this year. I had a number of new ideas, but then a few weeks ago I was studying for my weekly Bible study, and a passage was cross-referenced that I am very familiar with. Only this time when I read it I noticed that both of the Advents of Christ were referenced. Somehow I had never noticed this before even though I have studied the passage many times. That passage was Titus 2:11-14.

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

It's not a traditional Advent or Christmas passage, but I really like that we see Christ's first Advent, "the grace of God has appeared" and His second Advent, "the glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ". This is what the Advent Season is all about! Too often in our present day, we tend to focus mainly on the first Advent, the birth of Christ. But the Advent season is a call for us to both look back and look forward. We look back and connect with the longing for the Messiah the Israelites had, rejoicing in the Incarnation, and looking forward we connect with our own longing for the Messiah's return - the second Advent. And in between the two Advents - grace to glory - we must connect with God's call on how His people are to live out the life of Christ in this present age.

For the Advent Words Challenge we will spend the first half of the Advent season digging into Titus 2:11-14 and explore the Advent words we find within it. Words such as appear, grace, salvation, hope, wait, glory, Savior. etc. Then for the last half of the challenge we will look at some of the more traditional Advent and Christmas words and passages.

I enjoy having a separate journal for each year's challenge, so I made a new journal to create in for this year. I ended up miscalculating the number of pages I needed and now have double the amount! So, I may end up putting study notes in the back.

I decided to play some more with the painted paper torn collage style I have been doing recently, and have begun making background pages.

I hope you will join me this year. The Advent Words Challenges are meant to be done in community. I so enjoy seeing how people interpret the words and Scripture passages into various creative expresssions - art journaling, collage, photography, poetry, digital art, etc. And I enjoy the conversation and study insights in the Words Challenge Facebook group.

In the next few weeks I will post a calendar with the words and Scripture passages. Here's how it will work and how you can join along:

• I will post daily Bible study devotions, along with how I responded creatively, on this blog each day beginning on November 28 through December 24. You can follow this blog by email or there will be daily links to the posts in the Words Challenge Facebook group
• Respond with whatever creative practice you choose: art journaling, mixed media art, scrapbook, photography, digital art, poetry, creative writing, calligraphy - any way you choose! As you take in the Scripture and devotions into your heart and mind, let it sink even deeper as you practice creatively with your hands.
• Join the Words Challenge Facebook group where you can share your art and ideas and join the conversation through the Advent season and beyond.  I host a number of Words Challenges throughout the year. 
• Share on Instagram and other social media with the hashtag #adventwords2021.
• In the weeks before the Advent season begins reflect and prepare: choose the creative form you will use for your daily practice. Make or buy a journal that fits your creative form.