Category Archives: Guest Writer: Portia Weeks Collins

Advent Reading for December 9, 2023 | “Trusting Our Miraculous God: A Lesson in Faith” from Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.”
          34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
          35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:26-38

“Trusting Our Miraculous God: A Lesson in Faith”
by Portia Weeks Collins

In these treasured verses of Luke, we encounter the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary in Nazareth. Gabriel brings a message of great joy. Specifically, Gabriel shares with Mary, a young, humble, virgin woman, that she will conceive and give birth to Jesus, who will be called the Son of the Most High. Mary’s reaction combines astonishment and faith, illustrating both an understandable human response to a divine revelation, but also a profound trust in God’s plan.

Gabriel’s announcement to Mary is not merely news for her, but it’s good news for all who will rest the full measure of their faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Gabriel’s message to Mary is, in essence, a revelation of God’s redemptive plan and marks the inauguration of God’s Kingdom. God’s intent to intersect the extraordinary with the ordinary is displayed through his choosing Mary to bear His only begotten Son. God chose an ordinary woman, to navigate an ordinary pregnancy, and ultimately give birth to an extraordinary Savior who would redeem the world. Mary’s response shows her readiness to accept God’s will, even without full comprehension.

As we enter the advent season, let’s reflect on Mary’s example. She embraced God’s plan with faith and humility even when she didn’t quite understand. This is a call we should heed, too. Let us be fully available and submissive to God’s workings, even when they are beyond our understanding. From studying and meditating on this passage, may we be encouraged to trust in the Lord’s greater plan, find joy in the ordinary, and willingly respond to the Lord (in all things), “May it happen to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).

Reflection Questions:

  1. In what areas of your life do you need to exercise more faith and trust in God’s plan?
  2. How can you cultivate a heart that responds to God’s will with the same openness and humility as Mary?

Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of Peace (Advent 2025) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

Christ Has Come – Week 3Episode Title: The Promised King & His Gift of JoyLuke 1:39–56In this Advent episode of Christ Has Come, Keith Harris turns to Luke 1 and invites us to slow down and listen to the joy that begins stirring before Bethlehem. Long before angels sing to shepherds, joy breaks the silence in the hill country of Judea—through a Spirit-filled confession, a leaping child, and the worshipful song of a young woman who trusts the promises of God.Together, we explore:What biblical joy is—and what it isn’t, distinguishing it from fleeting happiness or emotional highs.How joy appears before the word is even spoken, as John the Baptist leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb at the presence of the unborn Messiah.Why Mary’s joy is rooted not in circumstances but in God’s mercy, as she magnifies the Lord and rejoices in God her Savior.The meaning and message of the Magnificat, a Scripture-saturated song that celebrates God’s great reversal—lifting the lowly, filling the hungry, and humbling the proud.How Mary’s joy points beyond herself to Jesus, the promised King who fulfills God’s covenant promises and secures lasting joy through His saving work.This episode reminds us that joy is not something we manufacture—it’s something we receive, and it grows wherever Jesus is trusted. Advent teaches us that true joy is found not in having life figured out, but in the presence of Christ and the mercy He brings.If you would like to see a written version of this study, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
  1. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of Peace (Advent 2025)
  2. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of PEACE (Advent 2025)
  3. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of HOPE (Advent 2025)
  4. Thankful: Learning to Number Our Days (Refresh & Restore)

Advent 2023 — Reading Guide

“Joy to the World! The Lord is Come!”

Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break into joyous song and sing praises!

Psalm 98:1-4

Did you know that Isaac Watt’s hymn “Joy to the World” was not intended to be a Christmas carol? Watts wrote it with the intention of having a hymn show praise to God for His care for His people with a New Testament perspective, specifically a focus on the return of Christ. But just as the New Testament begins with the birth of Christ – Emmanuel, God with us – “Joy to the World” will forever be associated with Jesus’s first coming. It will forever be associated with Christmas.

Psalm 98 is the inspiration for “Joy to the World” and is a psalm celebrating God’s continual salvation for Israel and all the times that “His steadfast love and faithfulness” were bestowed on them. But all of that – all the times God showed up and moved in Israel’s history, all the powerful examples of His continued care for them – was on display for the Gentiles, on display for “all the earth”.  That’s good news!

When we look at the world around us, there is not a lot of good news to be found – and definitely very little “good news of great joy”, and even less good news that is meant “for all the people” (Luke 2:10). But with Jesus comes “Joy to the World”. Jesus makes Psalm 98 true because He is the culmination of the “marvelous things” God has done – God in flesh (John 1:14)! Jesus is God’s salvation “made known”! Jesus is God’s righteousness revealed! God truly “remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel” by sending them the Messiah, and praise be to God, “all the ends of the earth” can see and experience “the salvation of our God” through Him!

This year’s Advent guide is named after the hymn “Joy to the World”, but it is also – not a subtitle, but another title entirely – named after a line from “O Holy Night”: “a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices”. There seems to be a lot more weary in the world today than joy, but we need to be reminded that the Lord has come, and He is coming again. So, this is our effort to help you be able to rejoice in this weary world – to help you fix your eyes on Jesus rather than the trouble of the day (Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 6:34).

You can download the reading guide here free of charge.

Or you can use the links or podcast player below to listen to the Bible reading and devotion for each day.

Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of Peace (Advent 2025) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

Christ Has Come – Week 3Episode Title: The Promised King & His Gift of JoyLuke 1:39–56In this Advent episode of Christ Has Come, Keith Harris turns to Luke 1 and invites us to slow down and listen to the joy that begins stirring before Bethlehem. Long before angels sing to shepherds, joy breaks the silence in the hill country of Judea—through a Spirit-filled confession, a leaping child, and the worshipful song of a young woman who trusts the promises of God.Together, we explore:What biblical joy is—and what it isn’t, distinguishing it from fleeting happiness or emotional highs.How joy appears before the word is even spoken, as John the Baptist leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb at the presence of the unborn Messiah.Why Mary’s joy is rooted not in circumstances but in God’s mercy, as she magnifies the Lord and rejoices in God her Savior.The meaning and message of the Magnificat, a Scripture-saturated song that celebrates God’s great reversal—lifting the lowly, filling the hungry, and humbling the proud.How Mary’s joy points beyond herself to Jesus, the promised King who fulfills God’s covenant promises and secures lasting joy through His saving work.This episode reminds us that joy is not something we manufacture—it’s something we receive, and it grows wherever Jesus is trusted. Advent teaches us that true joy is found not in having life figured out, but in the presence of Christ and the mercy He brings.If you would like to see a written version of this study, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
  1. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of Peace (Advent 2025)
  2. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of PEACE (Advent 2025)
  3. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of HOPE (Advent 2025)

Here are the links to the daily Scripture readings & devotions:

HOPE

Lighting the first candle of hope means looking forward to the promised Savior, as foretold in Isaiah 7:14 and Romans 15:12-13. This hope isn’t just a wish—it’s a sure expectation based on God’s promises. Seeing God’s faithfulness in fulfilling ancient prophecies during Christ’s birth offers hope for everyone, not just for personal salvation but for a world seeking restoration that comes from Him.

We find hope in God’s faithfulness to keep His promises. We worship a God who planned to forgive our sins through Jesus Christ long before Bethlehem, as foretold in Scriptures centuries earlier. Advent reminds us of God’s promises fulfilled in Christ, assuring us of His unchanging faithfulness and securing our hope in Him. And Advent reminds us Gd has promised Jesus’s return. “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

PEACE

As the second candle of peace shines, consider the profound peace brought by Jesus, the Prince of Peace, mentioned in Isaiah 9:6-7 and Luke 2:14. His birth signifies reconciliation between God and humanity, offering a deep, lasting peace found only in a personal relationship with Christ. His teachings guide us towards peace with God, ourselves, and others. Let this candle inspire a desire for reconciliation and peacemaking in a divided world.

This portion of Advent also draws attention to Bethlehem. Reflecting on Bethlehem’s seemingly insignificant setting reminds us of God’s penchant for using ordinary places for extraordinary purposes. In this portion of Advent, amidst feelings of insignificance, remember that God loves you dearly. Take a moment to pause, acknowledging how God specializes in using the seemingly small and insignificant for His glory. Pray that God uses you for His purpose—to bring peace and reconciliation to those around you, to bring people to Him.

JOY

As the candle of joy, the third candle, shines, remember the angel’s message of “good news of great joy” in Luke 2:10-11. This Gospel isn’t just duty; it’s a reason for deep delight in God’s work through Jesus Christ. It’s a lasting joy rooted in Christ’s hope, surpassing fleeting happiness. This joy invites you to live joyfully, sharing the transformative joy of knowing Christ with others.

In the same way, the Gospel reminds us to find our joy in Christ rather than in temporary pursuits. Embrace the deep joy found in knowing Christ, sharing this good news of great joy with those around you.

LOVE

As the fourth candle, the candle of love, shines, ponder God’s profound love revealed through Christ’s birth and sacrifice, echoing 1 John 4:10. Reflect on John 3:16 and Romans 5:8, recognizing the Gospel as the ultimate display of God’s unconditional love. This divine love calls for embracing it fully and extending it sacrificially to others, as highlighted in Ephesians 5:2. Let Christ’s love inspire you to practice radical love in your relationships, mirroring His example.

The heart of Christmas lies in God’s immense love shown by sending His Son, Jesus, as the ultimate gift. This Advent phase illuminates the depth of the Father’s love, echoing the truth found in 1 John 4:10. Amidst the festivities, remember that Christmas revolves around God’s extraordinary love revealed through the sacrificial gift of His beloved Son for unworthy sinners like us.

CHRIST

The Christ candle marks the culmination of Advent, embodying hope, peace, joy, and love of Jesus. He is the heart of the Gospel message, representing hope for humanity’s reconciliation with God. Embrace His presence, allowing His light to shine through your life, illuminating the world with the Gospel’s transformative power.

Jesus’ birth led to His sacrificial death, offering us new life through His resurrection. He is our sole hope, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amid the Christmas hustle, ponder the profound impact of Christ’s birth in history, changing humanity forever.

This Christmas Eve, reflect on His birth, mourn the necessity of His death, celebrate His resurrection, and gather with fellow believers to worship Him.

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