Advent Devotional

Read: Psalm 130:5-8

Receive:

What are you waiting for today? Young or old, we know what it’s like to wait: for our birthday to get here, for a job offer, for test results, for a loved one to come home. But active hope in Jesus is different than passive waiting.

When we put our hope in Jesus, we are like a city guard watching through the night. No matter how tired or cold a night guard is, he knows that the sun will rise. When you see a sunrise this Christmas season, meditate on Jesus as our promise-keeper yesterday, today, and forever.

Respond:

Pray: “God of Hope, we fix our eyes on You this Christmas. Like watchmen waiting for the dawn, give us grace to hope in you when our world seems dark. Let our hope be a light to our neighbors and friends looking for warmth this season. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Read: Isaiah 40:28-31

Receive:

Are you feeling tired or weak today? Hope renews strength. After God’s corrupted people were conquered by the Babylonians, deported from their land, and lost God’s presence in the temple, God gave them a word of hope. Isaiah uses language from Israel’s exodus from Egypt (see Isaiah 40:31; Exodus 19:4) to show that the same God who rescued His people hundreds of years before will save them again.

People change, circumstances change, but God’s faithfulness never changes. When we choose to hope in Jesus, God’s ultimate Rescuer, we receive new strength to face whatever may come.

Respond:

Who is someone in your life who may be feeling weak? Pray that God will renew their strength as they hope in Jesus. Send them a text or write them a note today.

Read: Matthew 1:18-25

Receive:

Does your life seem chaotic today? In his Gospel biography, Matthew notes five times that the seemingly chaotic details of Jesus’ birth fulfilled the hopes of Israel for the world (Matthew 1:22; 2:6; 2:15; 2:17; 2:23). What seemed out of control and scandalous was actually God’s perfect plan.

Matthew also packs several titles for Jesus into this introduction: He is the “Son of David,” God’s Promised King. He is “Jesus,” the One Who Saves. Most significantly for us at Christmas, Jesus came as “Immanuel”: God With Us. The Son of God took on humanity to enter our mess.

Respond:

Pray: Light a candle at dinner tonight with your family. Say this together to declare your hope: “Jesus is the light of the world.”

Read: Luke 1:26-38

Receive:

What are you most afraid of today? Mary experienced God’s favor, or grace, when she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. The Son of the Most High, the King of the World, was coming to fulfill His promises to Israel and rescue the world through a young woman in a small town.

Despite her fearful circumstances, Mary hears and follows God’s will because she has hope: “No word from God will ever fail.”

Respond:

Journal a few sentences to listen to the Holy Spirit today. Write down a fear you have and see if the Holy Spirit brings a word from God to mind: “God, I am afraid of… but I place my hope in your truth: May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Read: Luke 1:39-56

Receive:

What are you hoping for today? Elizabeth declares that her family member, Mary, is blessed among women. What made Mary blessed? Her hope. She believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.

Mary clearly meditated on Scripture, because her song in Luke 1:46-56 is saturated in Old Testament themes. Mary uses the language of the Psalms and especially 1 Samuel 2:1-10 to showcase God’s upside-down kingdom. Mary’s heart was formed by her immersion in the story of Scripture. She not only knew the promises of God, but she was blessed to live in those promises through her hope.

Respond:

Plan to share dinner with someone you do not normally have at your table. Invite them into the mess of your home so they can have a taste of your hope in Jesus.

Read: 1 Peter 1:3-5

Receive:

What is something broken in your life? For hundreds of years, God’s people hoped for their restoration and the healing of our world. When Jesus came, He fulfilled this hope as our promised King and Rescuer.

Peter encourages persecuted Christians who have been born “into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Because Jesus reigns today, our hope is not just in a past event. Our hope is in a living King who has saved, is saving, and will save His people in His kingdom that has come, is coming, and will come to renew all things.

Respond:

Pray: “Merciful Father, thank you for sending your Son. Jesus’ birth gives us hope: hope that evil will not win; hope that you have not left us alone; hope that your kingdom is invading our world; hope that we can make a real difference by your grace as ambassadors for our King. Please make your hope alive and real to us this Christmas season by the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Read: Revelation 22:17-21

Receive:

What is something you want to fix in the world? The last page of the Bible shares the hopeful longing of the Spirit, the church, and Jesus. The Holy Spirit only directly says one word in Scripture: “Come!”

The Spirit longs to see Jesus glorified as the rightful King of the world. The church longs to experience the fullness of God’s presence and purification: “Come!” Jesus longs to come for His bride and renew all things in the new heavens and the new earth, where there will be no more tears, pain, or death: “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Respond:

Journal about where you want Jesus to “come.” How would this situation be different if God’s kingdom came “on earth as it is in heaven”? Use this time to prepare your heart: as Israel awaited the first coming of Jesus to launch the kingdom, so we are now hoping for the second coming of Jesus to consummate the kingdom.

Read: Psalm 4:6-8

Receive:

Have you ever been jealous of a sleeping baby? Babies (when they finally fall asleep) are a picture of simple trust and complete peace. The final words of this Psalm connect trust, peace, and rest.

Everyone asks: “Who will bring us prosperity?” We are all trusting in something to bring us security and happiness. David knows that true rest and peace come from trusting that God alone keeps us safe in the hands of our Good Shepherd, King Jesus.

Respond:

Right before you go to sleep, talk to God about the highs and lows of your day. Reflect on where the Holy Spirit was working in your life. Then, pray the words of Psalm 4:8 with your spouse, friend, child, or roommate before you go to sleep tonight. If you live alone, say these words out loud with Jesus.

Read: Isaiah 9:1-7

Receive:

Why did your parents pick your name? The many names given to Jesus communicate His character. The prophet Isaiah declares four names of Jesus over 700 years before Jesus was born.

One name stands out this week: Jesus is our Prince of Peace. Jesus made peace through sacrificial reconciliation. Now, Jesus calls us to follow Him as peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) who heal relationships around us (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). When you write your name sometime today, reflect on one of the names of our God revealed in Jesus from Isaiah 9:6: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Respond:

Pray: “Jesus, you are our Prince of Peace. We confess that we often get worried and distracted by our busy parties, perfect gifts, and stressed relationships. This Christmas season, please fill us with your Spirit so we can become more aware of Your presence with us. Heal our families and friendships and rest our hearts in your peace so our world can see Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Read: Luke 1:67-80

Receive:

When was the last time you tripped over something in the dark? Light guides us. When the Holy Spirit opens Zechariah’s mouth after months of silence, Zechariah praises God for His power to rescue, faithfulness to keep His promises, and tender mercy to guide us into the path of peace.

Zechariah saw a pattern to God’s purpose: God continually brought prophets to guide His people right up to the time of John the Baptizer, who prepared the way for Jesus, the Light of the World. Where do you need God’s guidance to shine in your life?

Respond:

Take some time to look at Christmas lights with your family or a friend this week. As you do, reflect on how the Holy Spirit may be guiding you to experience Jesus’ salvation more clearly and the peace of God more dearly.

Read: Luke 2:13-14

Receive:

When was the last time you saw a military formation? Luke offers a paradox. The word often translated “host” means “army.” God sent an army of angels to announce peace.

The good news these angels proclaimed to poor shepherds was that in King Jesus, God is reconciling the world to Himself (see Colossians 1:15-23). The kingdom of God has come to confront the evil within the world and the evil within our hearts, bringing us peace with God when we surrender our lives and receive the sacrifice and victory of Jesus through faith in Him.

Respond:

Pray: Send a text or write a note to encourage someone in your life who has not experienced peace with God through Jesus. Invite them to explore Jesus for themselves during a Christmas service with you.

Read: John 14:25-27

Receive:

What were the last words a loved one said to you before they died? Jesus spoke these words on the night before his crucifixion. His disciples were tired, afraid, and discouraged. Just like the disciples, our lack of peace leads to fear, and our fear leads to unfaithful decisions.

But unlike Jesus’ friends that night, we know the end of the story: Jesus has conquered death and He will return to renew our world completely. Jesus has left us His peace because He has given us His Spirit: a gift more reliable than anything our world can give us.

Respond:

Pray: “God of Peace, we confess that we often look to the world to give us peace. We look for peace in good grades, greater wealth, and the approval of others. But these things eventually leave us empty. Jesus, thank you for giving us real peace. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, who reminds us of Your truth, comforts our hearts, and makes Your peaceful presence tangible to us this Christmas season. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Read: Philippians 4:4-9

Receive:

How are peace and joy connected? The words “joy” or “rejoice” occur 14 times in Paul’s short letter to the Philippians. Why does a letter written from prison have so many commands about joy and peace?

Paul knows that peace is connected to prayer. We can always rejoice because we can bring every situation to God with specific requests and grateful praise. And through Jesus-centered prayer, God’s peace “guards” our hearts and minds—this is a military word for keeping watch over a city (see 2 Corinthians 11:32). What do you need to bring to God in prayer today?

Respond:

Create space to experience the peace of Jesus by turning off all phones and digital devices in your house for one evening. Play a game with your family, make a dessert, or share dinner with someone.

Read: Revelation 1:4-8

Receive:

How do you say hello? “Howdy?” “Hey?” “What’s up?” The word grace introduces 16 of the New Testament letters. And “grace” is often paired with “peace,” including in our passage today.

For the earliest followers of Jesus, grace and peace were their hello and goodbye. Jewish and non-Jewish believers were united by the gift of God in these greetings. And during Christmastime, we celebrate that gift that comes to us through Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, who loves us by His grace, has freed us to experience His peace, and brought us into His kingdom forever.

Respond:

Pray: “God of Grace and Peace, we choose to trust you today. Teach us to see Jesus as He really is: The One Who is, Who was, and Who is to come. Thank you for your love that frees us, your grace that heals us, and your peace that protects us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Day 15: Joy

Read: Psalm 16:7-11

Receive:

What would you feel if you came face to face with God? Fear? Shame? What about joy? In this Psalm connected to King David’s life, we discover that God’s presence fills us with joy.

Joy is contagious. Our joyful God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--longs to share His joy with us (John 15:11). So, as the shepherds, wise men, Mary, and Joseph met God face-to-face in the person of Jesus, they experience joy. This Psalm challenges us to stop wasting time with unsatisfying experiences and to seek joy in God’s presence: “Apart from you I have no good thing,” and “LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup.”

Respond:

Pray: “Our Father of Light, every good thing that we have is a gift from you. Guide us by your Spirit so we can choose every day to follow Your will, Your path, and Your way for our lives. Let us taste Your joy and experience Your presence for ourselves in unexpected moments this week. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Read: Isaiah 42:1-17

Receive:

Where do you need healing in your life? Isaiah includes four songs about God’s coming “Servant” (Isaiah 42:1-13; 49:1-13; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12). Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would fulfill the calling of Israel by upholding God’s covenant, restoring justice to the oppressed, bringing healing to the world, and becoming a light for the nations. That’s why Matthew quotes from this song in his eyewitness account of Jesus’ healings (Matthew 12:18-21).

In this song, the nations are invited to sing a “new song” and “sing for joy” at the coming of God’s chosen Servant. What song will you sing to Him today?

Respond:

Share some joy this Christmas season. Make cookies together for a neighbor and write them a note to encourage them.

Read: Luke 1:5-17

Receive:

Do you sense a growing divide between generations today? Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed and waited decades for a child. When the angel Gabriel announces that John the Baptizer will be born to them, Gabriel declares that John’s birth will bring joy.

One of the ways that John brought joy and prepared Israel was by healing the divide between generations: turning the hearts of parents to their children and turning people of all ages to God’s righteous wisdom.

Respond:

Reach out to someone who was born in a different generation than you. Ask them how you can pray for them today. Thank them for seeking to live out God’s purposes in their time.

Read: Luke 1:57-66

Receive:

When was the last time you were around a campfire? Some people are like campfires. Their joy draws others into the circle. Elizabeth’s neighbors “shared her joy” at the birth of John the Baptizer because they heard about the Lord’s mercy to Elizabeth.

Jesus-following joy is contagious and cannot be contained. That’s why John the Baptizer leaped for joy even in Elizabeth’s womb when he first encountered Jesus (Luke 1:15, 44).

Respond:

When you have the chance today, tell a friend about something God has done in your life recently. Let them share your joy by sharing something God is teaching you, a prayer God has answered, or a promise from Jesus that you are holding onto lately.

Read: Luke 2:1-12

Receive:

Who is the most unpopular or weirdest person that you know? A difficult coworker? A kid who sits alone at lunch? When angels told the shepherds the good news about the birth of Jesus, the shepherds were afraid because they felt so small. Why would holy, powerful angels appear to poor, smelly shepherds? Why would King Jesus want these guys to witness his birth?

Because the good news of Jesus brings joy for all people. When you see a nativity scene with shepherds this week, reflect on how Jesus welcomes everyone.

Respond:

Pray: “Jesus, your birth brings joy to the whole world. In Your kingdom, we discover our Father’s plan to give joy especially to people who are alone or forgotten. May we share Your joy with others this Christmas season by the grace of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

Receive:

What is the connection between grace, joy, and generosity? God’s grace is God’s gift to us that transforms our lives. The word “grace” appears 10 times in 2 Corinthians 8-9 to talk about God’s work for us, in us, and through us. In this case, God’s grace enabled followers of Jesus in Corinth to joyfully give money to provide famine relief for the churches in Jerusalem.

How would your life be different if overflowing joy was your response to God’s grace? God’s grace enables us to share in God’s joy as we give generously to others.

Respond:

Share God’s generosity by joyfully giving something away to someone in need together as a family.

Read: Revelation 19:6-9

Receive:

When was the last time you went to a joyful party? Jesus uses imagery from Israel’s prophets to describe the kingdom of God as a wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1-14; 25:1-13; Luke 5:34-35; John 3:27-30; Ephesians 5:21-33). The image of the church as the bride of Jesus shows God’s promise-keeping character, redeeming rescue, and cleansing Spirit revealed in Jesus.

This is one reason why Jesus’ first miracle is turning water to wine at a wedding (John 2:1-12). His first sign anticipates His final promise: We will experience complete joy when Jesus is fully united to His bride in the new creation.

Respond:

If you are married, look at your wedding photos or show them to your kids. Talk about how you want your marriage to embody the love of Jesus for His church. If you are single, invite a friend over to a small party to celebrate life in God’skingdom

Read: Psalm 36:5-9

Receive:

Who is someone who makes you feel loved? Christmas shows us God's loving character. This Psalm speaks of the heights of God’s love, faithfulness, and righteousness. God is a fountain of life and a revealing light.

God’s love is demonstrated in Jesus’ cross, God’s faithfulness is revealed in Jesus’ fulfillment of promises, God’s righteousness is seen in Jesus’ keeping of the law, and God’s life and light arrived in Jesus’ resurrection and teaching about the kingdom of God. When you look in a mirror today, reflect on how God’s loving character is clearly revealed in the face of Jesus.

Respond:

Pray: “Loving Father, you sent your Son as the greatest gift of love. Through Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross and the power of his resurrection, you have made us your children through faith. Thank you for bringing us into your family of love by your Holy Spirit. Make us agents of your love where we live, work, and play as we celebrate Jesus and the birth of love this Christmas season. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

READ: Isaiah 54:10; 1 John 4:7-12

Receive:

What is your favorite hiking memory? The Bible uses mountains as a picture of what God's character: strong, ancient, and reliable. We can always trust God to protect us and keep his promises to us.

And John tells us that God cannot do otherwise because God is love: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The world around us may shake, but God’s love, compassion, and peace will never fall away. When you see a mountain this week, think about how we can trust in God’s rock-solid love.

Respond:

Pray: “Almighty Father, you are stronger than any mountain. Thank you for your unshakeable promises and your unbreakable love for us. Jesus, we look to you as our biggest example of compassion. Give us grace to show Your faithfulness and care to our neighbors through Your Holy Spirit this Christmas season. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Read: Matthew 2:1-12

Receive:

What are you most tempted to worship above God? The word “worship” shows up at the beginning and the end of the Magi’s story (see verses 2 & 11). Matthew highlights that the wise men traveled hundreds of miles and sacrificed expensive gifts to worship Jesus as the King who came to rescue people from every nation (see Isaiah 60:1-6).

Worship is our response to God’s love. When we see Jesus clearly, how can we help but “open our treasures” and worship Him?

Respond:

Listen to your favorite Jesus-centered Christmas song. Take some time to worship Jesus as our King and Rescuer today.

Read: Luke 2:15-21

Receive:

Merry Christmas! Today we celebrate our Promised King who brought living hope, lasting peace, generous joy, and sacrificial love through His birth, life, death, and resurrection. We celebrate the birth of Immanuel: God with Us.

The Son of God shared our humanity so we could be rescued from death and conformed to His image (Hebrews 2:14-15; Romans 8:29). As Irenaeus of Lyons put it: “The Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who did, through His transcendent love, become what we are, that He might bring us to be even what He is Himself.”

Respond:

Like Mary, take some time today to treasure Jesus and ponder his good news in your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit for one word to describe how Jesus is working in your life. Journal a few sentences to respond to that word.