Jesus, The Coming Messiah: Advent Readings from Old Testament to New
December 1: The Messiah as the Seed of Eve
Readings: Genesis 3:1-20; Romans 16:17-20

Genesis 3:14-15, The Voice
God (to the serpent): What you have done carries great consequences.
Now you are cursed more than cattle or wild beasts.
You will writhe on your belly forever,
consuming the dust out of which man was made.
I will make you and your brood enemies
of the woman and all her children;
The woman’s child will stomp your head,
and you will strike his heel.

Romans 16:17-20, The Voice
I am pleading with all of you, brothers and sisters, to keep up your guard against anyone who is causing conflicts and enticing others with teachings contrary to what you have already learned. If there are people like that in your churches, stay away from them. These kinds of people are not truly serving our Lord Jesus the Anointed; they have devoted their lives to satisfying their own appetites. With smooth talking and a well-rehearsed blessing, they lead a lot of unsuspecting people down the wrong path. The stories about the way you are living in obedience to God have traveled to all the churches. So celebrate your faithfulness to God that is being displayed in your lives—seek wisdom about the good life, and remain innocent when it comes to evil. If you do this, the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet soon. May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, the Liberating King, be ever present with you.

The seed of a woman is a child growing within her.
The child’s birth is a harvest, a promise fulfilled.
Jesus, the long awaited seed of Eve, grows within Mary.
His birth is a promise fulfilled, a harvest of hope for the world.
– Lisa Degrenia

Additional verse of Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
by Charles Wesley (rarely seen or sung today)
Come, Desire of Nations, come,
Fix in us thy humble home,
Rise, the Woman’s Conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in us the Serpent’s Head.
Now display thy saving Pow’r,
Ruin’d nature now restore,
Now in Mystic Union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.
[Hark the Herald Angels sing, glory to the newborn King]

Prayer
Hallelujah to Jesus!
Born of a woman, that we might be born again.

Hallelujah to Jesus!
Struck by the full force of evil yet rising victorious,
that we might rise with him.

Hallelujah to Jesus!
Crushing Satan, sin, and death,
that we might know peace and the fullness of life.

Guard us, Anointed One,
from every warring way

Deliver us, Liberating King,
from every enticing falsehood

Lead us, Lord, to your wisdom and truth
May this grace birth faithfulness and innocence within us
May our new life delight you and honor you
May it better your world and draw many to your saving love
Amen

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Thank you for setting aside times this Holy Season to seek the One we celebrate.

Jesus, The Coming Messiah is an Advent Bible Reading Plan highlighting the Old Testament prophesies and passages which Christians see fulfilled in Jesus.

As you read each passage, consider how this description of Jesus the Messiah reveals his character, motivation, and purpose. How does this description inspire you to trust Jesus and his promises? How will you apply and share what you have discovered? I look forward to your comments.

If you’re in Sarasota, please drop by Trinity United Methodist Church for one of our seasonal events or services or just to say, “Hi.” You’re always welcome and wanted.

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas! – Lisa <><

The Messiah as The Seed of Eve © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in devotional settings with proper attribution.
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