The Daily Devotional
Thursday, December 18, 2025
O Adonai: The Lord Who Comes Near
“For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our ruler, the LORD is our king; he will save us.” — Isaiah 33:22
Introduction
On the second day of the ancient O Antiphons, the Church sings O Adonai—O Lord, calling upon Christ as the same Holy One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush and who gave the Law at Sinai. In Advent, we remember that the Child who comes in Bethlehem is not merely gentle and lowly—He is also the Lord of blazing holiness, the great “I AM” of Exodus 3. The Jesus who fulfills the Law (Matthew 5:17) is the very One who first gave it, revealing a God both tender and terrifyingly holy, infinitely near and infinitely mighty.
Reflection
When Moses stood before the burning bush, he found himself before a fire that burned without consuming—a mystery of holy presence and gracious restraint. In daily life, we experience moments that faintly echo this combination of awe and nearness. Consider standing at the edge of a vast desert sunrise or looking at the fiery glow on the horizon of a mountain range. The beauty is gentle enough to draw you in, yet powerful enough to make you step back in wonder.
This is what “O Adonai” invites us to remember: the God who comes near in Christ is not diminished by His nearness. The Child wrapped in swaddling clothes is the same Lord who spoke worlds into being. The human footprints He leaves in the Bethlehem dust belong to the One whose presence once made Moses remove his sandals. Advent calls us to hold both truths at once—the humility of God who comes down and the majesty of God who cannot be contained.
Application
Today, take a moment to pause before something that reminds you of God’s greatness—perhaps the mountains, the morning sun, a quiet flame, or even the stillness of your own breath. Let it draw your heart to reverence, not fear; to worship, not worry. Then remember that this same holy Lord walks with you, speaks to you through Scripture, and invites you to follow in His way. Honor Him not only with awe, but with obedience shaped by love.
Conclusion
“O Adonai” teaches us that the Lord who comes in Advent is both holy and near—the giver of the Law and the fulfiller of the Law, the fire that burns without consuming, the King who rules with justice and mercy. In this season of waiting, may we learn to bow in awe while drawing near in trust, recognizing the Child of Bethlehem as the Lord of all creation.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, O Adonai, holy and near, you are the same Lord who spoke from the burning bush and who now speaks grace into our lives. As we wait for Your coming, teach us to stand in reverent awe before Your majesty while trusting in Your tenderness. Help us to walk in Your ways with humility and joy, honoring Your law not out of fear but out of love. Draw us close to Your heart today, and let Your holy presence shape our steps in this Advent season. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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