Advent advancing is devastating news for the dragon!

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Welcome to The Smart Edit newsletter! This Christmastime, we believe for an enriched inner life and Kingdom rightsizing for ‘25!

This week … Christmas is an existential threat to the dragon, 5 reasons Gen Z is primed for spiritual renewal, and more.

✅ SIgn up for the Smart Edit here.

Trivia question: Who were the Magi mentioned in the story of Jesus' birth? A) Shepherds from Bethlehem who visited Jesus in the manger. B) Wise men or astrologers from the East who worshipped and brought gifts to Jesus. C) Roman soldiers protecting King Herod's kingdom. D) Priests sent by King Herod to investigate Jesus’ birth. ⬇️ Answer below.

P.S. — Italian Christmas cookies dominate much of the U.S. I’m trying my hand at baking.

KINGDOM DYNAMIC
Advent advancing is devastating news for the dragon!

Traditional Advent is the anticipation of celebrating Christ’s birth. In the weeks leading to Christmas, we prepare our hearts.

But know this …

The real truth of Advent is that Christ coming into our world pronounces a sentence of doom upon all darkness!

And this dynamic has the potential to transform our personal lives!

Jesus has come… is coming… and will come

The incarnation has set in motion a process. We have to understand point and process. He continues to come in fullness and power throughout the Body of Christ. In history since the birth of Christ. And in our day.

Paul’s understanding is that the people of God attain “the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (see Ephesians 4:13).

Plus, we anticipate His coming again—there will be a complete revelation of Christ, this time in overwhelming rule and completeness. The partial will be done away and the perfect will come (see 1 Corinthians 13:9-12).

The dragon is doomed!

The coming of Jesus Christ into the earth is an existential threat to Satan’s kingdom. The serpent of old is not pleased. He’s doomed.

Christmas is an invasion from on high! Those angels in the skies over the Judean hills were a “multitude of heavenly hosts.” Angel-armies.

Jesus is no longer a baby. He’s ascended and seated as a King!

Jesus, be born in me. Rise in me. Help me to live an ascended life in you. Be seated in me as King. Amen.

Google — year on search 2024

On the pod

🎄 Have yourself a defiant little Christmas: Uncover the revolutionary spirit of the First Christmas—an invasion led by the Outlaw Christ-Child. The King is back, and Advent is not just a historical glance. It's here. Now. And defiantly advancing toward the future.

That’s just it—real faith in God is uncommon. "When the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith” (Luke 18.8 NLT)?

Use wisdom. But sometimes faith stands against common sense. At times it may seem insane.

Resting place of Saint Nicholas found? A recent archaeological find at the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre, Antalya, Turkey, has sparked worldwide fascination, arriving just in time for the Christmas season. The discovery? A limestone sarcophagus believed to be the original resting place of Saint Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop whose legacy gave rise to the story of Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas was a man of faith, generosity and miraculous intercessions.

Primed. 5 reasons Gen Z is primed for spiritual renewal (The Gospel Coalition).
1) Isolation during the pandemic created a hunger for belonging.
2) Disillusionment with ineffective, abusive, hypocritical leaders is creating a hunger for sincere, humble, transparent leadership.
3) Pervasive anxiety is creating a hunger for deep peace.
4) Digital self-projection and self-perfection are creating a longing for real-life, nonjudgmental sincerity.
5) The loss of places of belonging is creating a hunger for healthy institutions where Gen Z can find mentors.

Word of the week:
quagmire (ˈkwaɡˌmī(ə)r) — (1) A soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot. (2) An awkward, complex, or hazardous situation. “The mixup is a quagmire; there’s no fast or simple way to resolve it.” English, late 16th century.

Trivia answer:
Wise men or astrologers from the East who worshipped and brought gifts to Jesus.

Related post:
Bethlehem’s blueprint: heaven’s disruptive innovation in you!