December 9th Advent Devotional

December 9

Job 19:25-27

I know that my redeemer lives,

and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

And after my skin has been destroyed,

yet in my flesh I will see God;

I myself will see him

with my own eyes—I, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me!

-Job 19:25-27

We had a great time as a family.  My grandkids, Paula, and I spent the afternoon looking at holiday photos, wedding pictures, college and high school annuals.  The kids were fascinated by the images and the dark hair of Grandma and Grandpa.  Finally, one of them looked up at me and asked, “What was it really like to live in the 1900s?”  My spirit quickly deflated.  Reality raised her mighty head. I felt so decrepit!  I know that they love me as much as I love them; they were really interested in my childhood days.

Christmas brings back such memories of childhood: trees and toys, meals and gatherings, smiles and hugs, a sense of belonging, and a new realization of what love and home is.  The decrepit me finds warmth in familial love but more so in divine love, for Christ came bringing us a new sense of salvation, belonging, and love.

Job knew this more than two thousand years before Jesus Christ came. Job knew He was coming to redeem us, He would walk this earth, and He did.

Despite his grief, ill health, running sores, and the ash heap, I know that Job stood and shouted with all the assurance of faith possible, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth.”

We once had a chaplain student steal the Christ child from the Christmas creche scene in our chapel.  In her tradition, the Christ child was not in the manger until Christmas Day.  When enough patients complained about His absence, she was convinced to return it. The story was complete…Christ was present!

Two thousand years since the first Christmas, once again the shout of Job is heard, “I know my redeemer lives….”  Our redeemer lives.  The story is complete.

David White