God Sent a Baby: Daily Advent Reflections on Progeny, Promises, and the Plan of Redemption

By Laura N. Sweet

God sent a baby.

It is an often-repeated pattern in the Bible―early intimations of the birth of God's own Son―the final word of God to his people. When people called upon God for justice, deliverance, healing, and restoration, God sent a baby.

Many of these babies foreshadowed the life and ministry of Jesus Christ―a picture, on a human scale, of the baby who would come one day to rescue and save us all. While these babies grew up to be men who were limited in their power and their righteousness, they hint at the holy and all-powerful Son of God.

Babies like Seth, Isaac, Moses, Samuel, Solomon, and John anticipated the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. They foretold something of his ministry and his kingdom. This advent devotional is all about the babies―wonderful gifts from the Father! And it's all about the birth of the baby who came to deliver us all: Jesus, our blessed redeemer!

December 1 through December 25, each daily advent reading is followed by reflection questions and ample room to journal a personal response.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorLoyalty
• Release date: Apr 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781632695697

Book preview

Introduction

It is a time of crisis and dire need. God’s people call upon him in prayer. They seek justice, deliverance, healing, and restoration. They plead with him to act on their behalf.

God hears their prayers and answers them

— not with fire and thunder from heaven

— not with hosts of angelic armies

— not with miracles or plagues or natural disasters. God sends a baby.

Oh, fire and angels, miracles and plagues will sometimes come later, but the very first clue we have that God is going to do something amazing for his people is the birth of a tiny, helpless baby somewhere among his needy flock. It is a pattern we see over and over again in the Old Testament—early intimations of the birth of God’s own Son—the final word of God to his people.

Many of these babies foreshadow the life and ministry of Jesus Christ; they are a picture, on a human scale, of the baby who would come one day to rescue and save us all. While these babies grew up to be men who were limited in their power and their righteousness, they hint at the holy and all-powerful Son of God.

As we look at some of the babies that God sent to bless the world, we are reminded that it is people, not programs, who fulfill the will of God here on earth. It isn’t power and influence that changes the world, but those who have come with a childlike trust in God and a desire to serve and obey him—whatever the cost. And we understand that when God sends a baby, he is blessing us with unknown gifts and abilities, and the potential to do and to be mighty for his name.

Babies like Seth, Isaac, Moses, Samuel, Solomon, and John anticipated the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. They foretold something of his ministry and his kingdom. This advent devotional is all about the babies—wonderful gifts from the Father! And it’s all about the birth of the baby who came to deliver us all: Jesus, our blessed redeemer!

CHAPTER ONE

From Seth to Moses

December 1-10

December 1

Read: Genesis 3:8–21

A Promise to Eve

All was lost.

A foolish choice, a faithless action, and a few hours later the woman saw her entire world fall apart. When the sun had risen that morning, she knew nothing but joy and contentment. That very same day had brought ruin that could never be undone.

She had lost her beautiful home. Driven out by a flaming sword, she and her husband were forced to flee the garden that had been created just for them. They could never return—and who knew what terrors awaited them in the world beyond? The woman who had known no fear now knew exactly what fear consisted of as they entered the dark unknown.

She had lost the close companionship experienced with her husband. His words that she had heard him speak to their Maker—they still seemed incredulous to her as they echoed in her mind: "The woman whom you gave me to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat." Had Adam really laid all the blame on her? He was supposed to be her protector—but he gave her up when the time came to give an account to God. How could things ever be the same between them?

And her relationship with God—the same God who walked with them through the garden in the cool of the day—that relationship was broken and changed forever. Her Creator had decreed a punishment she couldn’t begin to understand! Pain in childbirth. A husband who would rule over her. What could these things mean for her, and for her daughters? Was there no hope for forgiveness and restoration?

All was lost.

And yet . . .

The God who had been their friend—the God who pronounced the curses and punishment—was also the one who made coverings of skin to cover their nakedness. And in the midst of the cursing, he had also uttered a promise—a word of hope for the