God & Sinners Reconciled: Advent is About Awe (1 Peter 1:10-12)

Luke 1:26-35 // John 1:14

Advent is a season for awe because the incarnation of Christ was the inconceivably wonderful and yet absolutely vital mode of Christ’s arrival.

“I came to see that I was wired for awe, that awe of something sits at the bottom of everything I say and do. But I wasn’t just wired for awe. I was wired for awe of God. No other awe satisfies the soul. No other awe can give my heart the peace, rest, and security that it seeks.” — Paul Tripp

Christmas often functions like a litmus test that simultaneously reveals the desire for and misplacement of a sense of awe due to ignorance or unbelief.

Romans 1:21,25 // Genesis 3:4

A great awe-recovery method is to consider and emulate the angels: Look at Jesus in amazement!

1 Peter 1:10-12

Exodus 25:20 // Luke 10:23-24

Come and Stand Amazed

Come and stand amazed, you people
See how God is reconciled!
See his plans of love accomplished
See his gift, this newborn child
See the Mighty, weak and tender
See the Word who now is mute
See the Sovereign without splendor
See the Fullness destitute

 See how humankind received him
See him wrapped in swaddling bands
Who as Lord of all creation
Rules the wind by his commands
See him lying in a manger
Without sign of reasoning
Word of God to flesh surrendered
He is wisdom’s crown, our King

O Lord Jesus, God incarnate
Who assumed this humble form
Counsel me and let my wishes
To your perfect will conform
Light of life, dispel my darkness
Let your frailty strengthen me
Let your meekness give me boldness
Let your burden set me free

 O Emmanuel, my savior
Let your death be life for me