Advent Readings

Luke 2

Luke 2 Advent Day 25 by John F. Klem All of us at Regular Baptist Press want to wish you a very merry Christmas. We trust that you will enjoy this day however you have planned to spend it. Luke 2:1–20 In…
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Christ and the Gospel

Christ and the Gospel Advent Day 24 by John F. Klem The gospel is really big and genuinely powerful! The gospel is big in terms of its vast, redemptive impact upon God’s creation. It is genuinely powerful in terms of its amazing, transformative nature…
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Christ Is the End of the Law

Christ Is the End of the Law Advent Day 23 by John F. Klem The subject of Old Testament law and its relationship to us today is a frequent conversation in the progress of our spiritual journey. We wonder what to do with it. Do we use…
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Christ, the Creator, Comes to His Creation

Christ, the Creator, Comes to His Creation Advent Day 22 by John F. Klem Some of the very big questions of life relate to ultimate reality—specifically, How did this world come into existence, and why am I here at this moment? A Christian worldview is deeply rooted…
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The Love of God

The Love of God Advent Day 21 by John F. Klem In this Advent meditation, I want to let the Word speak regarding God’s amazing love for us. Take your time reading these selections of Scripture and let the Spirit encourage and light the…
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‘I Am’

‘I Am’ Advent Day 20 by John F. Klem In our Advent readings I have attempted to saturate you with Biblical texts featuring the person and work of Jesus Christ. In this reading I will direct your attention to the seven “I…
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Behold, the Lamb of God

Behold, the Lamb of God Advent Day 19 by John F. Klem When we look into the eyes of a newborn child, we see helpless innocence. In response, all our protective and caring instincts kick into action. We hold the child so carefully. We make…
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Putting It All Together

Putting It All Together Advent Day 18 by John F. Klem The departure of Christ from this earthly life back to Heaven as recorded in Luke 24 has much to offer us in our Advent meditations. Although Advent focuses more on Jesus’ arrival, His…
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Christ, Our Shepherd King

Christ, Our Shepherd King Advent Day 17 by John F. Klem The historically accurate birth narratives of the Lord Jesus Christ are crafted in a way that blends royal and peasant motifs. The King of Kings is presented to us in the trappings of…
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Glimpses of Glory

Glimpses of Glory Advent Day 16 by John F. Klem The gospel of John is distinguished by its thematic focus on the glory of Christ disclosed in His earthly ministry. John puts the glory vocabulary to extensive use, in contrast with the synoptic…
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Expressions of Divine Love

Expressions of Divine Love Advent Day 15 by John F. Klem “I love you.” “Love you.” “Love you tons.” “All my love.” These are just a few of the many expressions of love we use in our English language to communicate how we feel…
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The Awe of Christmas: The Word Becomes Flesh

The Awe of Christmas: The Word Becomes Flesh Advent Day 14 by John F. Klem In the doctrine of Christ, Philippians 2 is a foundational New Testament passage. It is the key theological passage regarding what Christ did to leave His eternal abode and to take on flesh…
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The Better Light of Christmas

The Better Light of Christmas Advent Day 13 by John F. Klem The glory of Christ is displayed for us in John 1:1–5. In these opening verses, John, the gospel writer, presents Christ to us as an eternal person (vv. 1, 2), the creator of…
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The Glory of the Eternal Christ

The Glory of the Eternal Christ Advent Day 12 by John F. Klem Our Advent meditations are designed to saturate you with multiple looks at the person and work of Christ from a variety of Old and New Testament passages. This saturation with Christ will deepen…
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The Career of the Suffering Servant

The Career of the Suffering Servant Advent Day 11 by John F. Klem I am intrigued by stories of innocent people who are convicted of horrible crimes and then imprisoned for lengthy periods of time. I think, how could this happen? I wonder, what is wrong…
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The Commitment of the Servant

The Commitment of the Servant Advent Day 10 by John F. Klem Our thoughts of Christmas and our seasonal experiences are all framed in the context of pleasantries. The birth of a newborn babe conjures up joyful and optimistic thoughts and feelings. The virgin birth…
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The Commission of the Servant

The Commission of the Servant Advent Day 9 by John F. Klem Our journey through the Advent season brings us to the second of the Servant Songs in the book of Isaiah, 49:1–13. The song divides nicely into two parts (49:1–6, 7–13). The first part…
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The Call of the Servant

The Call of the Servant Advent Day 8 by John F. Klem The book of Isaiah documents four songs that came to be known in the 1800s as the Servant Songs. They are found in Isaiah 42:1–9, 49:1–13, 50:4–11, and 52:13—53:12. Biblical scholars have debated…
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Divine Names of Christ

Divine Names of Christ Advent Day 7 by John F. Klem Lights are a distinctive feature of the Christmas season. They come in all sizes and colors, and when creatively configured they capture our attention with a sense of awe. The names of the…
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“God with Us” Theology

“God with Us” Theology Advent Day 6 by John F. Klem The prophetic text that holds our attention as believers during the Christmas season is Isaiah 7:14; its New Testament reference in Matthew 1:23. “To Ahaz, King of Judah God declared through the mouth…
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An Early Chapter in the Christmas Story

An Early Chapter in the Christmas Story Advent Day 5 by John F. Klem The book of Ruth is a short story of 85 verses in our Bible. It takes place in the days of the Judges during a time of famine in Bethlehem, “the house of…
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The Songs of Christmas Continue

The Songs of Christmas Continue Advent Day 4 by John F. Klem During the Christmas season, the book of Isaiah is a popular text in sacred Christmas music. Handel’s Messiah, for example, features a good portion of God’s Word given to us through the pen…
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The Songs of Christmas Begin

The Songs of Christmas Begin Advent Day 3 by John F. Klem The wise men who came from the east asked King Herod, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have…
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The Divine Plan and Promise of Christmas

The Divine Plan and Promise of Christmas Advent Day 2 by John F. Klem How can we have a Christmas joy founded in the Word during the busyness of the holiday season and the many festive activities? I believe a Word-based Christmas joy begins with thoughtful consideration…
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Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas Advent Day 1 by John F. Klem My childhood days were spent in Northeast Pennsylvania in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. Our local newspaper, the Times Leader, was delivered to our home each day. Once Thanksgiving passed, the Times Leader would print…
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Celebrate Christ through RBP Daily Meditations

Celebrate Christ through RBP Daily Meditations In the good providence of the Lord, we are living in a time when religious significance and Biblical truth are being squeezed out of our holiday celebrations. Retailers train employees to great customers with “Happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”…
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