December 1

“Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” Genesis 1:26 ESV

As Advent unfolds—a season of wonder and hope—we need to turn back to the beginning of the story. God’s story of love for his creation begins in that first week with the way he shaped every living thing under heaven with intention. He breathed life into humanity. Each person, including you and the one in your care, bears the image of our Father.

In the first chapter of the Bible, before sin, before the fall and exile, God crowned his creation with humanity. Male and female, they were made in his image. They ruled over the beasts of the land, sea, and air. And they had no shame in their nakedness. They walked with God in the garden until a willful choice shatters the perfection.

Still, we have hope because that is not the end of the story. Creation awaited the arrival of Jesus, God’s own son, to be born under the law. He would be what Adam failed to be: the High Priest. This Second Adam would be perfect. He would fulfill the law by taking our sins upon himself as a perfect sacrificial lamb. He offered his life so his blood would cover our sins.

Someday, Christ will come again. The heavens and the earth will be made new. The image of God in us will be fully restored. Tears, death, and mourning will be no more because God sits on the throne and we will be at rest with Him, as in the beginning.

Prayer for today:

Heavenly Father, God of creation, I praise your mighty works. Restore hope in me for what sin has broken. Teach me to rest in the finished work of Jesus and help me be a witness of your Advent. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.