December 1 – Day 2
Genesis 3:1–19
Then the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
Genesis 3 is where the light of Advent first begins to shine. Right in the middle of the darkness created by man’s first sin.
God was pleased with all He had created and finished by declaring it Very Good.
Adam and Eve were created in God’s image. They were given every good thing to watch and care for. When the serpent tempted them, they chose to believe a lie. Enticed by the idea that they could be like God. They disobeyed God. That one act of disobedience brought sin into the world. Our relationship with God was broken. Shame, fear, toil, and death became part of the human story.
Today we live in the reality of what changed that day. But in the midst of God’s judgment, He gave us a promise that points straight to Christmas:
“He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (v. 15)
It is the first glimpse of hope for us today. One day, a child would come, born of a woman, who would defeat the serpent, He would suffer in the process. That child is Jesus. He is the one who would make things right again.
This second day of Advent, we should see and feel the weight of sin, to make us aware of our need of a savior and turn to Him. He has prepared a way for us to fully rejoice in the grace that Christmas brings.
How does this ancient promise give you hope today?
Prayer: Lord, I confess that I have believed lies and gone my own way. But I thank You that You did not leave me in my sin. Even from the beginning, You promised a Savior. Prepare my heart to receive Him anew this Advent. Amen.
