25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #17 – the Messiah will be the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52: 13-53:12 and Luke 22:20; Matthew 8:16-17). With “no beauty to attract us” and “nothing in
25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #16 – the Messiah will be a light for the nations of the world (Isaiah 42: 1-6 and Luke 2: 27-32; Matthew 12: 15-18). “In faithfulness
25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #15 – the Messiah will be preceded by a forerunner (Isaiah 40: 3-5 and Matthew 3:1-3; Luke 3:1-6). A voice in the wilderness calling forth, “Prepare
25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #14 – the Messiah will be called a Nazarene (Isaiah 11:1 and Matthew 2:23). There is no disputing the reality of Jesus’ humble beginnings. Prophetically, Isaiah
25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #13 – the Messiah will be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9: 6,7 and Luke 1:32,33). By far the
25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #12 – the Messiah will be a great light (Isaiah 9:1,2 and Luke 1: 76-79; Matt. 4: 13-16). The Light of the World has come in
25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #11 – the Messiah will be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1: 22-23; Luke 1:31-35). Why would it be so important that the
25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #10 – the Messiah will be the rejected cornerstone (Psalm 118: 22-24 and Matthew 21:42; Luke 20: 17,18) and ultimately acclaimed (Psalm 118: 25-29 and Matthew
25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #9 – the Messiah will be called God’s Son (Psalms 2: 1-12 and Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). “You are my son, whom I love; with you
25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #8 – the Messiah will be a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7: 12-16 and Mathew 1:1; Luke 1:32,33) and greater than David (Psalm 110:1-4 and
The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia is founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), a ministry serving the spiritual formation, discernment, and renewal of leaders and learners since 2003. For more than 20 years he has been the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry Program. From 1989-2003 he was the president of Vision New England, the largest regional church renewal association in the country. Earlier in his ministry life, Steve was a member of the pastoral staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts for 11 years. He is the author or co-author of 17 books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective), and Crafting a Rule of Life, Becoming A Healthy Church (LTI), and Broken and Whole (IVP). He and his wife Ruth live in the Boston (MA) area and are the proud parents of two married children and grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. Steve’s personal website is www.SteveMacchia.com.
“My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.”
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Mitzi started her professional life as a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband Jerry then served cross-culturally for ten+ years, living abroad first in India and then Kurdistan, N. Iraq. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, she now serves as a Formation and Care pastor in her local church in Houston, TX. She has graduated from LTI’s Selah Spiritual Direction training as well as LTI’s Emmaus Formational Leadership Program.
Mitzi enjoys engaging conversation, reading fiction, doing jigsaw/crossword puzzles, ocean gazing and exploring the world with Jerry through food and travel.
God has two main callings in Mitzi’s life: to care for those who care for others and to be a guide in helping others have a healthy relationship with the Trinity – recognizing God’s loving presence and activity in their lives and how to faithfully respond.
“Selah was a transformative experience for me – allowing the contemplative within to emerge and to beautifully co-exist with my extraverted personality.“
