advent devotionals
Memorize: Psalm 139:14
I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well.
Read: Psalm 139:1-14, Psalm 104
Reflect:
Advent calls us to prepare for the arrival of our Savior Jesus Christ, yet often times our preparation is filled with the stress of planning and busyness. We don’t even take a full day to give thanks, as many race off Thanksgiving evening to find the deals. We race into December facing a to-do list of shopping, cooking, wrapping, and working...so that we can enjoy the birth of God's son?
Let’s think about this – Does our preparation have the wrong focus and the wrong feeling. Psalms 104 & 139 encourages us to pause in the midst of our preparation and consider the question, "Who am I preparing for?" Are we preparing for the arrival of Our Savior, or for the world's expectations of Christmas?
I hope today we choose to prepare for Jesus! When we do, our preparations are less about doing and more about being. We begin to prepare with praise to God for the intimacy that He has with each of us. We wake up each day with less attention on what needs done during Advent and more attention on what's been done through God's power.
Apply:
How does your thinking & planning change when you reflect on the power of your creator…your All-knowing, Ever-present God, who made you and wants an active, personal relationship with you?
Pray:
Father God, today I offer my praise for all that you have done, will do, and continue to do in my life. Help me to prepare for the things that matter and ignore the demands of this Adventseason that pull me away from you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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
prepare the way
Memorize: Matthew 3:2
“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Read: Matthew 3:1-3
Reflect:
“Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!” Wow, that is some kind of assignment. It’s a call to get people ready for the most life-changing event in history. John the Baptist was called by God to fulfill that role. God gives him a huge job and yet John the Baptist owns that task and it defines his life and gives him purpose. It’s the message that brings people to Jesus.
John the Baptist recognizes his secondary status, that he is only the prelude. He is there to prepare the people, to help them take the first step towards God’s redemption. John the Baptist prepares, but he leaves the main work of redemption for Jesus to fulfill.
Apply:
What would it mean for us to recognize our own secondary status? What do we need to do to prepare the way for the Lord in our own lives this Advent? What paths do we need to make straight in anticipation of the Lord? How can we help others to take their first step towards God’s redemption?
Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, I know that just like John the Baptist, you call all believers to clear the path for those who need You. Help me as I help prepare others for Jesus by inviting them to Christmas Eve services. Thank you for clearing the way for me, by Jesus’ death and resurrection. I want others know Jesus this Christmas. In Jesus’ name. Amen