The wait is over!

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2v6-7

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 

Hebrews 1v1-3

Advent 24

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Luke 2v4

Advent 23

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while  Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

Luke 2v1-3

Advent 22

All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).

Matthew 1v22-23

Advent 21

...and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’

Matthew 1v21

Advent 20

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: his mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son...

Matthew 1v18-21

Advent 19

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants for ever; his kingdom will never end.’

‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’

The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Luke 1v32-35

Advent 18

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 

Luke 1v26-31

Advent 17

And they will live securely, for then his greatness
    will reach to the ends of the earth.

Micah 5v4

Advent 16

He will stand and shepherd his flock
    in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

Micah 5v4

Advent 15

...out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times.

Micah 5v2

Advent 14

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans of Judah...

Micah 5v2

Advent 13

Unfortunately I didn't get this picture finished in time. Maybe next year!
I really wanted to include it because I like the contrast between this big city full of troops, whose leader gets humiliated, and the insignificant little town in the next verse.

Marshal your troops now, city of troops,
    for a siege is laid against us.
They will strike Israel’s ruler
    on the cheek with a rod.

Micah 5v1

Advent 12

The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah – the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Hear, you peoples, all of you, listen, earth and all who live in it...

Micah 1v1-2

Advent 11

Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and for ever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9v7

Advent 10

And he will be called [...]
   Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9v6

Advent 9

And he will be called...
    Everlasting Father

Isaiah 9v6

Advent 8

And he will be called...
    Mighty God

Isaiah 9v6

Advent 7

And he will be called
    Wonderful Counsellor

Isaiah 9v6

Advent 6

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.

Isaiah 9v6