advent devotionals
Christmas means many things...a time to spend money that you may not have; a season of too much busyness; a season of loneliness; a season of joy; a season of "So, it's Christmas...AGAIN"!
Advent is the season that begins Sunday, December 2nd and continues through Christmas Day. Advent means "Coming" and the focus of the entire season is on the celebration of the first coming of the long-awaited Messiah, and the anticipation of the second coming of Christ Jesus in His second Advent.
As we prepare to celebrate Christ's birth, we will offer an online resource to help you make time and space in your heart and mind to welcome Advent, even in the midst of busy schedules and hectic lives. The devotions will reflect honestly on the Scriptures, all intended to more closely examine the call to change and follow Christ.
How is God calling you to prepare for Christmas? Maybe you need to read this devotion each day? Maybe you need to set aside a quiet time with God?Maybe you need to adjust priorities? Maybe you need to start tithing? Maybe you need to spend more time with your family? Whatever you need to do to prepare for Christmas, know that we're praying for you as you earnestly seek Him.
14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14 [NLT]
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Advent Devotional links will go live each morning through December 25th.
November 27
November 28
November 29
November 30
December 1
December 2
December 3
December 4
December 5
December 6
December 7
December 8
December 9
December 10
December 11
December 12
keep watch
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Memorize: Isaiah 7:14
All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
Read: Matthew 24:36-44
Reflect:
Each Christmas season, the mystery and miracle of Incarnation sends a wave of awe over me. Our God is a God who comes to us. The Creator of the Universe stepped out of Heaven and came to be with His creations on planet Earth. Jesus of Nazareth came and lived among us more than 2,000 years ago. No one knows when he will come again. But we do know that the Holy Spirit works and moves among us today. Advent reminds us that God continues to come. Our God is with us…Emmanuel.
Today’s passage calls us to be watchful. Stay alert because at any time, when we least expect it, Jesus might appear. So, how do we “keep watch”? By staying connected to God and His church. We “keep watch” when we worship Him regularly. We “keep watch” when we serve one another. We “keep watch” when we do life with one another. In other words, we “keep watch” when we worship, serve, and fellowship.
Apply:
What step can you take to demonstrate that you are “keeping watch?”
Pray:
Heavenly Father, help me to “keep watch” with great anticipation of Jesus’ return. I want to be ready. Help me to take the steps I need to take in order to continue growing in my relationship with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.