In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.

Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”

So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.

Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.

—From Daniel 1 (NKJV)

Reflection

Emmanuel means God With Us. Daniel’s life was one full of God’s miraculous presence. As a young teen he had the strength to defy a king’s orders, then that same king saw a fourth figure in the fiery furnace, which he described as son of the gods (Dan. 3:25)—many theologians think that the fourth figure was Christ himself. Daniel had wisdom that astounded even Babylon’s wisest, and he was visited by the Angel Gabriel about 600 years before Gabriel visited Mary. What if the presence of God is with you? Perhaps his presence is not as vivid for you as it was for Daniel, but reflect today on your sense of God’s presence—in joy as well as in suffering.

Celebrate Together

Gather the family for today’s Celebration in our book, The Joy of Advent. Witness Daniel’s courage as a captive in Babylon, explore the Jesse Tree symbol for today of fruits and vegetables, discover the history behind today’s carol, and enjoy a family conversation (or private journaling) about purposing in our hearts.

Inspiration

Music

As you enjoy God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen consider the placement of punctuation in the title: the song is promising joyful rest, not rest for those who’ve been too merry! Think as well how Daniel and his friends might have longed for such “tidings of comfort and joy.” [Play Video]

Love Came Down at Christmas, from a poem by Christina Rossetti, shows us the reason for our hope. [Play Video]

Visit our Joy of Advent YouTube playlist for featured videos, our Ultimate Christmas playlist for all our favorite carols, or our sing-along carols to enjoy karaoke style.

Prayer

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.

My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy
Even as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.

Resources

• A film from 2013 beautifully dramatizing the life of Daniel.

• See how God moves in, around and through difficult circumstances in a recent sermon. We are challenged to trust God when things are hard and also be polite when drawing a line as citizens in two kingdoms.

• Enjoy a printable coloring page of Daniel in his youth.

• Would you like to make Jesse Tree ornaments to accompany your readings? Find tutorials and ideas from simple to advanced at our Jesse Tree Ornaments Pinterest board.

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