Week 4: Love
Sunday, December 22
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READ
One of the verses foundational to our faith is John 3:16. We know it well and tuck the truth deep in our heart – that God so loved the world that He sent his only son for us. While it might not normally be considered a “Christmas” verse, in essence, it is. We celebrate the greatest gift we could have ever received… the gift of Jesus. God saw fit to love us that much that He sent His son, and then, years later, sacrificed His son, all because of His great love for us. As He has loved us, we are then called to share that love with others.
PRAY
God, thank you for the gift of your Son. May we read and respond to John 3:16 in a fresh way today. Help us to remember your great love for us and may the truth of it sink deep into our heart. We are so grateful for the life that comes from believing in you and walking with you.
PRACTICE
Commit to reading over John 3:16 a few times and memorizing it. Then, write it down somewhere and tape it where you can DAILY be reminded of this essential truth of our faith – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” John 3:16.
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READ
Colossians 3:12-14, John 13:34-35
Are there easier people in your life to love than others? Maybe you find it easy to love strangers, coworkers or friends, but your family, with all their complexities, is a little harder to love… Or maybe you love your family so naturally, but sharing love with those in the world that are different or disagree with you are harder? Regardless of where you fall, God asks us to LOVE all. Colossians 3 tells us to clothe ourselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,” and to forgive, but most importantly, to LOVE. He invites us into a way of living because of the love He has given us, and while this may not always feel natural or comfortable, it’s how others will know we are His disciples.
PRAY
Lord, help us to be a people known for our LOVE. We want to receive Your love and then send it out into the world so that others might know of you more! Help us to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and LOVE. May we look for opportunities to love those around us that might not be the easiest to love… Be with us as we walk in obedience alongside You to love like You have loved us.
PRACTICE
Think of TWO people that might take you out of your comfort zone when it comes to loving them. Think of a way you might be able to do something for them to share God’s love with them today. Maybe it’s a small act of kindness, maybe it’s sending an encouraging text, or maybe it’s sitting down with them for a good conversation. Ask God to show His love through you in whatever this looks like.
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READ
Ephesians 3:16-19, Psalm 36:5-7
This side of heaven, we will never fully comprehend the magnitude and depth of God’s love for us. We can try to wrap our mind around it, but it will forever be beyond human comprehension. The love of God is far too wide and long and high and deep for us to grasp, but we can trust that nothing and no one will ever love us as much as our Father. Like He knows the hairs on our head and the beating of our heart, He knows the details of our day and the plans for our life. What great relief we can have knowing that He loves us and cares for us this much! This Christmas, may we surrender anything we carry, worry, or fear, and fully recognize and accept His hope, peace, joy and love.
PRAY
God, thank you for your great love for us. Though we won’t understand fully, help us to feel how wide, how long, how high and how deep it is for us. You are so good and so faithful, and we thank You for your unfailing love for us. In these final days before Christmas, help our hearts be prepared to receive you in a fresh, new way. May the hope, peace, joy and love offered to us through Jesus hit in a fresh, new way this year. Thank you for the greatest gift we could ever receive.
PRACTICE
Though not necessarily a Christmas song, “How Deep the Father’s Love,” is a classic worship song that focuses on the depth of God’s love for us. Look it up on YouTube or any streaming music platform and acknowledge the depth of His love. Let the lyrics speak truth over you and remind you of what Christmas signifies – the tangible demonstration of God’s love through the birth of our Savior.
Advent Stories
“This book is one of my favorite Advent books to prepare my heart for the season. It’s a collection of different Christian voices throughout generations that speak to the hope we have in Jesus through the miracle of Christmas.”
Natalie Moore, High School Ministry Director
“I love this devotional because the writer invites us to truly experience the stories of Advent and Christmas with our senses. Johnson poses great questions to ponder and discuss with people we love that help guide us to a deeper awareness of the beauty of the gift of Christ to the world.”
Kelly Roth, Growing in Community Pastor
“The Case for Christmas is a great study to go through with a group or as a quick personal read. It’s not devotional reading, but one that deepens our understanding of why the scriptural accounts of Jesus’ birth are reliable and trustworthy. The teaching video series and group guide are a fun way for small groups to deepen their faith leading up to Christmastime, or to reach out to those investigating a relationship with Jesus.”
Jimmy Higgins, Student Ministries Pastor
“This is one of the books our Kids Ministry team points families to during Advent. It consists of 31 stories, each one a journey through scripture with rich, accurate, historical, cultural and geographical context of the Bible.”
Cynthia Fluker, Kids Director
“During Advent, I go through this book with my kids every night before bedtime. They take turns reading the daily excerpts, and I love the beautiful use of old hymns. One of my favorite themes from throughout the books is that waiting is never wasted when you’re waiting on Jesus.”
Harmony Bathauer, Worship Pastor
“This book invites you to travel back in time and celebrate Jesus as he became man. When you catch a vision of this incredible moment, let it mark the beginning of a new perspective, a new life, and a new appreciation for Jesus.”
Woody Morwood, Campus Pastor
Previous Readings
Week 1: Hope
Sunday, December 1
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READ
Luke 1:26-38; Romans 8:24-25, Hebrews 11:1
After Mary was approached by the angel, Gabriel, and told of God’s plan for her, she had to wait nine months for the birth of Jesus. Romans 8:24-25 tells us that Biblical hope is waiting patiently for something we have not seen and do not have. The key word there? Patiently. This is oftentimes hard for us, as we live in a world of immediacy and want to trust in the things we can hold and grasp. However, God’s word tells us that having hope means to wait patiently, and to hold tight to our faith, much like Mary had to do as she prepared for Jesus’ arrival. She had faith and trusted in God’s promises, she served Him whole-heartedly, and when the day came, Jesus arrived right on time.
PRAY
God, the world tells us to rush and grasp at the things in front of us, but we know Your way is better. Help us to walk faithfully with you. Though we cannot see you, we know you are there. Our temptation may be to rush, but we ask for your help in slowing down and waiting patiently. In this season, with all the craziness that can come with it, we want to keep our eyes on you and remember the obedience of Mary. May her patience and faith in Your good plans allow our hearts to seek you like never before.
PRACTICE
Advent is a season of waiting and anticipating the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah. Today, fight the temptation to rush, and instead, allow God to calm your heart and walk patiently with a faith and hope in Him. Spend some time listening to the worship songs on our Spotify Advent playlist and remember what this season truly means. The hope of the world is coming.
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READ
What does it mean to have hope? Pastor Eugene Peterson said, “Hoping is not dreaming. It is not spinning an illusion or fantasy to protect us from our boredom or our pain. It means a confident, alert expectation that God will do what he said he will do. It is imagination put in the harness of faith. It is a willingness to let God do it his way and in his time.” In times of uncertainty or despair, we can trust Him. We won’t always have the answers, and things may not always pan out the way we’d hope, but we can know and trust that God is working all things together for our good and His glory. This is our hope and assurance.
PRAY
God, our hope and our confidence is found in You and You alone. While we may not always understand the process or the details, we know You will do what you say You will do. Help us to wait and trust. Help us to follow your leading. Guide us in your hope when we want to walk in despair and doubt. Today, may we lay down any areas of our life where we want to fight for control and know that You have us. You are good and your plans for our life are good. Thank you for that.
PRACTICE
What are some areas of your life that you want to fight for control? Where do you see yourself doubting God’s good plan? Are there any places you find yourself anxious about today? Make a list of these and surrender them to Him. Remind yourself that God will do what He says He will do – He will work ALL THINGS for the good of those who love Him.
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READ
Isaiah 9:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
The anticipation of Jesus’ birth all those years ago was a monumental moment in history as He fulfilled the prophecies revealed hundreds of years before. Even now, we can celebrate this season of Advent knowing that the Savior of yesterday is the Savior of today and the Savior still to come. He brings hope to a weary world today and the promise of an eternal life with Him. He will come again and we will be with Him forever. This is the hope we cling to in the midst of our crazy world.
PRAY
God, when you sent your son for us, you sent the hope of this world. You knew that through His birth, death and resurrection, we would find salvation and be with You forever. Thank you for that promise of eternity. Help us to keep our eyes on you and remember that Jesus opened the door to heaven for us. May everything we do be done for Your glory, and may you help us to keep an eternal perspective in the hard, dark moments of this world. This is not our home, and we thank You for the hope of heaven.
PRACTICE
The holidays can be hard for those who have lost a loved one. Grief is amplified during seasons like this and we want to be people who share the hope of Jesus with the hurting. For today’s activity, think of someone who has lost a loved one this past year, or whom this season is especially difficult, and write a letter, email or text message to them. Remind them of the comfort God can provide and the hope of heaven.
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READ
In a world that can oftentimes feel dark, hard and heavy, we can have hope because we have a God that keeps His promises. In ancient times, God gave His people hope by promising a Savior that would come to save them. Much like them, we can see the faithfulness of God as He has fulfilled His promises through His Son. We can find our hope in Jesus, an anchor for our soul, firm and secure. Even in darkness, the hope of the world is coming.
PRAY
God, thank You for knowing the story from the beginning. You knew we would need a Savior, and you knew it would be your Son. As we walk through Advent, may we not be rushed. May we walk with expectation that the perfect gift is coming for us. Today, help us to remember your faithfulness and the hope you give us. You had a plan from the very beginning, and we are grateful to walk with you – today and always. Even in the darkness of our world, may we remember your hope and trust that You are always at work.
PRACTICE
Think of a time God was faithful in bringing hope to a hard circumstance in your life. How did He deliver on His promises? Write these reflections down and share the story of His faithfulness and hope with someone in your life.
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READ
John 14:6, 1 Peter 3:15, Romans 15:13
Hope is rooted in the promises and faithfulness of God. He is who He says He is and He has done what He says He has done. Hope entered the world with the birth of Jesus and ushered in a new way of living. Now, when we turn to God and receive His hope, it doesn’t end there. It fills us and overflows out of us. What a privilege it is to be able to share it with those around us and bring a glimpse of God’s kingdom to here on earth.
PRAY
God, help us to grasp what it truly means to have your hope in us and flowing out of us. Thank you for sending your son to earth to bring us hope; help us to show it to those around us. May people see You in us – even when we don’t say a word. Guide us as we partner with you in your Kingdom work here on heaven. We want to work for your glory and the good of others, for we know this is what you have called us to do. Help us spread your hope to a world that desperately needs it.
PRACTICE
Make a list of people in your life that need to know about the hope of Jesus. Write it in a note on your phone, on a piece of paper in your bible, or somewhere in your home that you will be reminded of it daily and pray for these names. Ask God to give you boldness and courage to share God’s hope with them and pray that He would move in their hearts.
Week 2: Peace
Sunday, December 8
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READ
Luke 2:8-14, Hebrews 12:14-15, 1 Peter 3:8-11
The world Jesus was born into more than 2,000 years ago was much like our world today. Differing political and religious views led to conflict and disunity, tension and unrest. People walked in spiritual darkness, desperately in need of a Savior. Then, Jesus was born. This Prince of Peace brought “peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14), and it came in an unexpected way. He could have come with trumpets blaring and all the fanfare He deserved. But He didn’t. He came quietly, in the stillness of night and the humbleness of a barn, with the purpose of restoring unity to God, the Father, and to one another. Even now, though we find our world always at conflict, Jesus calls us to a new way of living. His peace should guide our lives, saturate our hearts and cause us to seek unity with those around us.
PRAY
God, thank you for your perfect peace. Though we live in a world that is broken and in despair, we know that You are Sovereign over it all. You came to bring peace all those years ago, and we know that it is still available to us today. Help us to seek and pursue unity in our relationships – with family, with coworkers, with friends… May your peace saturate our hearts so that we can share it with those around us, and may we live in a way so unlike this world that it could only point others to You.
PRACTICE
Striving for peace is hard. It won’t always feel natural. Today, spend some time in prayer for someone who has wronged you, hurt you, or maybe thinks differently than you. How can you pursue unity with them? Think of the perfect peace of God and allow it to shape your prayers. Ask God for the discernment on what it might look like to reach out to this person and how He could guide your pursuit for peace.
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READ
Galatians 4:4-5, Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 23:1-3
We learn in Galatians 4:4-5 that God sent Jesus at the perfect time. He knew all the factors at play, He knew who He wanted Mary to deliver the baby, and He knew the perfect timing. He was not in a rush. In this season of Advent, many of us find ourselves longing for peace… yet our schedule tells us, “that’s not possible.” The holiday to-dos are endless – there are gifts to purchase, Christmas parties to attend, cookies to bake, and the pressure to create the perfect holiday memories. However, the significance of Advent contradicts this. As a time of “waiting” for Jesus, we must intentionally slow down. If we are waiting on Him, and keeping our eyes on Him, then this season must be unhurried. Much like God knew the perfect timing for the birth of our Savior, He knows the perfect timing for your life. He desires for you to live an abundant, peace-filled life. Jesus is all we need. We cannot wait on Him or rest in Him completely if we are living with a hurried soul. Instead, He can lead us to still waters, for a filling of His peace that will replenish our souls and remind us of what this season truly means.
PRAY
God, we want to live an unhurried life in you. We know this season is filled with lots of fun, beautiful and festive things, but help us to keep our eyes on You in the midst of it all. May we remember that Advent is a time of waiting on you. Help us to slow down, to sit at your feet, to savor your presence and to feel your peace saturate our calendars and our lives. Your timing is perfect in all things. We know this… so help us to live unrushed and unhurried as we wait expectantly for You.
PRACTICE
Jesus was busy… but He lived unhurried. He created margin in His day to be present with God and present with others. Today, find five minutes to sit quietly with God. Listen to His voice, soak up His peace, and fight the urge to move along quickly. When the time is up, make note of anything you heard Him saying to you. Then, find five minutes to sit with someone else. Don’t rush the conversation, but instead, enjoy their presence, sit in peace, and listen fully.
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READ
Colossians 1:15-20, Isaiah 26:3-4
The birth of Jesus is significant in so many ways, but at the top of the list is this: we are reminded that God is Sovereign and He does what He says He will do. It is estimated that Jesus fulfilled more than 300 prophecies from the Old Testament, which would be statistically impossible… if not for our God. He is Sovereign and in control, and the birth of Jesus reminds us of this. We can experience the peace that comes from knowing God loves us, He sent His son for us, He cares for us, and He is always with us. Let this bring you peace today: much like He ordained every single detail for the birth of Jesus since the beginning of time, so has He ordained your days. There is nothing that will happen to you that hasn’t lovingly and carefully been sifted through the hands of our Father. Oh, what perfect peace.
PRAY
God, you are good and you are Sovereign. Thank you for being in control of our lives. Thank you for the peace that comes from knowing that each detail of our day has been sifted through Your fingers, and each day yet to come has been lovingly prepared by you. Help us to remember that you love us so much that you sent your Son to earth for us. May we walk through Advent remembering this gift, and may it bring such peace to our restless hearts that we know it could only come from You.
PRACTICE
One way to receive the peace that comes from knowing God is in control is to acknowledge the ways He has been Sovereign over the course of your life. For today’s practice, make a list of some of the big moments of your life. Go through each one and recognize how God met you in them, redeemed you from them, or taught you through them. How can you see His fingerprints on your life? Write down some words of gratitude for the peace that comes from knowing He’s got you.
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READ
Luke 1:26-38, John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7
We read this section of Luke last week when we focused on HOPE and Mary waiting patiently. Now, as we read it this week, consider the other feelings Mary was experiencing when she was told she would be carrying the Son of God. At first, she was “greatly troubled,” and had many questions. She likely felt anxious, afraid and worried. Yet, she responds in verse 38 by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Knowing she was favored by God brought peace to Mary’s heart even before she ultimately brought His peace into the world. This peace is available for our restless hearts and minds, too. When we feel anxious or worried, like Mary, we can bring it to God and know that His presence will bring a peace unlike anything the world can offer. Though Mary held the “Prince of Peace” in her arms, we have Him even closer. His Spirit lives in us, so, with hearts of gratitude, we can remember that His peace also lives in us.
PRAY
God, we are so thankful for your peace. When our minds feel anxious or our hearts feel restless, we only need to breathe your name to experience your peace. Thank you for being in us and with us through all the areas of our lives. As we go about our days, help us to remember the surrender and obedience modeled by Mary. We are your servants, too, and want to live a life fully dependent on You. Thank you for guarding our hearts and our minds, and for filling us with your perfect peace.
PRACTICE
God doesn’t necessarily promise to remove all the things in our life that fill us with anxiety, but He promises to be WITH US in them. Today, write out what’s worrying you in this season. It could be holiday related. Maybe it’s some family or friend dynamics. Possibly it’s a work concern. Whatever it is, write it down and ask God to fill you with His peace. Read Philippians 4:6-7 a few times through and ask God to guide your heart and mind today.
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READ
Romans 5:1-5, John 3:17-18
These lyrics of this classic Christmas carol are powerful: “Hark the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled”… You see, God didn’t just send His son to bring peace to this world, He sent Jesus to also BE peace for us – to bridge the gap between us and our Father. Because of sin, our world is broken and fractured, but the gift of Jesus – that beautiful baby boy born in a barn – provides a peace that now lives IN us. God sent His son on a rescue mission for us – to save us and free us through His death on the cross. Romans 5 tells us that God’s love has been poured into our hearts, and we can now live in peace with Him because of Jesus. THIS is the greatest gift we could ever receive.
PRAY
God, thank you for sending your Son for us. We acknowledge that we are sinners in a broken world, but because of your love for us, we can be at peace with you. Thank you for the greatest gift we could ever receive. May we hold tightly to this truth in this season, knowing that you sent your Son for us, bringing peace to this earth. We love you.
PRACTICE
Listen to our Advent worship playlist with a fresh set of ears. The classic carols especially are such beautiful reminders for us of God’s love and what Christmas means. Let the truths of the songs sink in deep as you reflect on what this season means. God sent His Son for YOU!
Week 3: Joy
Sunday, December 15
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READ
The telling of the birth of Jesus in Scripture is filled with so many details and emotions, but the feeling of joy is one that rises to the top. Every year, we sing, “joy to the world, the Lord is come.” When the angels approach the shepherds in the fields, they calm them by saying that they had, “good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” That good news comes in the form of a little baby, a Savior for our world. Even now, knowing that Jesus is coming for us – that He has and He will again – it should fill us with great joy. Don’t lose sight of that! Remember the GOOD NEWS and let it fill your heart with great joy.
PRAY
God, thank you for the Good News of Jesus. Thank you for sending your son to earth to save us from our sins. Help us to remember this and may it cause our hearts to be filled with joy. May we not miss out on what this season means, but would we truly walk over the next week and a half with the remembrance that you came for us and you love us. You are our joy.
PRACTICE
Christmas is a celebration of the greatest news we could ever receive. Let’s live it out! Today, spend some time celebrating the Good News of Jesus and allowing yourself to experience great joy. This might look different for everyone, but get creative! Have people over, eat good food, play a game with your family, talk about the love of God, hug someone, listen to worship music, etc. Live a life filled with celebration today and experience the JOY that comes from living in the Holy Spirit.
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READ
Living with joy doesn’t mean life will always be perfect and happy. We know the realities of life can be hard, and this broken world will often bring about turmoil or chaos in various forms. The beautiful thing about Biblical joy, though, is that God promises to be with us through any and all of the trials we face. He is our Emmanuel, “God with us,” and we can have a joy that is independent of our circumstances because it is rooted in Him. It goes much deeper than just happiness – it is unshakeable! When we keep our eyes on Him, our faith and our joy will endure even in the darkest moments.
PRAY
God, thank you for being Emmanuel. Thank you for being WITH us, especially in the hard trials of life. You give us a joy that goes deeper than anything this world can throw at us, and we are grateful for the ways you carry us in and through it all. Thank you for giving us JOY in this season. May we remember to keep our eyes on you as we navigate this season.
PRACTICE
Today, spend some time asking God to be with you in any of the hard situations of your life. Be specific and write down anything you would consider a trial of your faith and pray over this list. Ask God to give you a joy that can only come from Him as you walk through these various circumstances.
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READ
John 15:9-12, 1 Peter 1:8-9, Philippians 4:4
Have you ever been around someone that had contagious joy? It was likely deeply rooted in them, bubbled to the surface, overflowed to the people they encountered… When we live a life centered in Jesus, we are called to be people that make His name known, and often, this can be evident in the way we express joy. When we go out into the world, we want others to see Him in us, through the way we act, the way we love, and the way we express joy. The Christmas season is ripe with opportunity to share the joy of Jesus with those around us as we love and serve like He has for us.
PRAY
God, thank you for loving us first so that we could also love others. Help us to love others well as we go out into the world in Your name. May the people we encounter, especially in this Christmas season, see You in us by the way we share your joy. May it bubble up inside of us and overflow into the dark places of this world that need to feel your love and your joy. Give us eyes to see the people that You want us to see, and ears to hear their stories from a place of love.
PRACTICE
Christmas is the perfect time to spread some love by doing random acts of kindness. Today, we encourage you to think of a way to spread JOY to the people you encounter. Here are a few ideas: make some cookies, color a Christmas card and deliver to a neighbor; write a letter to someone living far away; drop off treats to a local fire station; hide a few dollar bills around a dollar store; do something nice for someone you love; pay for the car behind you in a drive-thru. Joy is contagious!
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READ
Psalm 96:11-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 118:24
Joy is rooted in thankfulness. The Bible tells us to, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” When we remember and reflect on all God has done in our lives, we can’t help but be filled with joy and gratitude. Especially in this Advent season, we should be filled with a deep, overwhelming sense of thankfulness for our Savior, who came to this earth to save humanity and bring unity with God. C.S. Lewis once said, “There are a billion things that can steal our joy, but only one source from which we can receive it.” Our joy comes from God, so, in this season, with prayer and thankfulness, draw close to Him and receive His joy.
PRAY
God, we want to walk through this season with a deep feeling of gratitude and joy. May we remember all You have done for us – from the smallest of daily gifts to the large gift of salvation through Your son. We want this thankfulness to saturate our lives and overflow in a spirit of joy. May we turn to you in the moments where joy feels hard – help us to remember Your goodness and faithfulness. We are so grateful.
PRACTICE
The best way to experience joy is to cultivate a spirit of gratitude. Today, make a list of five things you are thankful for. From the small-scale items (a cup of coffee, a kind text from a friend, or a beautiful sunset) to significant things (salvation in Jesus), gratitude flips the switch and helps us have the right perspective. May we find joy through gratitude in all of it.
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READ
“O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, ‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices…” These lyrics of O Holy Night describe what our world has felt since Jesus entered the world. It was a broken, heavy world then, and it is a broken, heavy world now. The good news? Jesus changes everything, and we can rejoice, for the same hope that thrilled the world then is available to us now. He meets us in our weariness and is the strength that we need in weakness. While we wait this Advent season for His birth, may we remember the significance of it and rejoice in our Savior.
PRAY
God, thank you for the hope you bring. May we not lose sight of the significance of You coming for us all those years ago. As we wait in this Advent season, we also wait for you to come again to right this broken world. We know You are our joy and our strength – help us to walk with you day-by-day in all the things we face. May the thrill of Your hope permeate every place within our weary souls.
PRACTICE
“O Holy Night” was written almost 200 years ago, but continues to be a song sung year-after-year because of the truth it proclaims. Today, listen to it with eyes closed and a soul ready to receive God’s strength. Let the thrilling hope of Jesus’ presence sit with you in the midst of whatever you face today. Take some deep breaths and listen for whatever God wants to speak to the weary parts of your soul.