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.
“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