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Why Advent Matters

“Advent” means arrival or coming , and it’s a season of the year that Christians have observed for centuries as a time of anticipating the birth of Jesus. For many of us, however, this season flies by with a flurry of activities that can leave us worn out and feeling just glad that it’s over at the end of the month. It can be the most stressful time of the year—and, as we’ve experienced, this year has been particularly challenging. But what if “the Christmas season” actually brought us closer to Christ? What if we were able to create some space to really feel the longing for Jesus to arrive, to be born anew in our lives? What if there was time for reflection and refocusing, such that we could truly receive and experience the gifts that Jesus brings—love, peace, joy, and hope?   This collection of daily reflections is offered as one simple tool to help each of us connect with Christ more deeply in the days leading up to Christmas. Daily reflections will be centered on the core the
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Advent Day 29 - CHRIST

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14 NIV) Rejoice! Rejoice! A Savior has come! O come Emmaunel! Isaiah 7 tells the followers of God that a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. In Hebrew, "Immanuel" means God with us! These words would have been such a relief to Isaiah's listeners. Shouts of joy, clamors of hope would have filled the community as God had finally come to be among them. This same love, hope, peace and joy that we have been following in this devotional flow from this climatic event of God coming to be with us through Christ Jesus. Therefore, let the love of God engulf you today, while his peace transcends all understanding. Let the hope of the Lord forever live in our hearts while his joy crowns our heads! Rejoice! Rejoice! A Savior has come my friend! Bask in the glory of the Lord. He has changed the world fo
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Advent Day 28 - JOY

"Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness." (Isaiah 35:10 NLT) Today's verse uses the word joy twice as a central theme. It says that the followers of God will be "crowned with everlasting joy!" Our mourning and sorrow will disappear and it will be replaced with joy and gladness. We know for many of us it is way easier to talk about joy than to actually live it. However, when we are with Christ, we are to be crowned with it!  For example, when a King or Queen wears a crown our eyes are drawn to the piece of hardware on their head and rightfully so! It defines who they are. Isaiah is saying the same about someone who follows God. Our crown of joy should radiate and draw others eyes towards it! People should know we are followers of God because of our joy! So for today, have you turned your sorrow and mour
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Advent Day 27 - JOY

"Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." (1 Peter 4:13 NLT) This has been a year of trials. It seems that every time things begin to settle, we find ourselves facing yet another test of our strength and perseverance. While our trials cannot compare to those Christ endured, these challenges require us to draw near to him. His spirit provides the sustenance we need to persist. And through all the struggle, suffering, and tension God makes his glorious presence known. We see his abundant presence even in the small moments. It is in the helpers who buy groceries for a neighbor uncomfortable going to the store. It is in the extra time families have together at home. It is in the extra quiet time in the morning to pause. In what small ways has God made his presence known to you in these past few months? When we rejoice in these small mom
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Advent Day 26 - JOY

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4 NIV) For all the good it represents, Christmas often seems to remind us how off the world is from what we know it should be. The presents, parties, and partridges in a pear tree only distract us for so long before our hearts and minds are drawn to seeing the egg nog glass half-empty.  It's easy to look at all that is wrong with the world (and in our own world), isn't it? It's increasingly difficult to keep a spirit of gratitude as the worries and cares of the world cause it to so effortlessly wither. Recognizing how easily our heads drop in anxiety and worry, Paul places his finger under our lowered chin and lifts it to offer us the loving double exhortation to "rejoice in the Lord always."  Rejoicing takes intention; it takes work to keep our eyes firmly fixed on holy light amidst the dimming influence of holiday hurry and worry. Allow Paul's words to lift your chin and com
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Advent Day 25 - JOY

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:11 NIV) Today we celebrate the Lord’s Day. The time regularly set aside to reflect on our Lord, share in communion and fellowship with one another. Before the week is over we will have had a special time to celebrate the coming of the Messiah, the coming of Heaven to Earth for the fulfillment of the Promise (John 6:38). As Jesus speaks to us here, he draws a direct line between his obedience to the Father and our obedience in Him.  This line affirms our faith and hope that the Lord of the universe came to Earth, and he will come again. Jesus desires us to be in him so that by following his commands we might have joy, and it will be complete. To remain in his love and to obey his commandment is the core promise for a joyous Spirit. And what is his commandment?  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”   There is time remaining in this season for you
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Advent Day 24 - JOY

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11 NIV) Many of us are still so unsure what the next day, week or month will bring after a year full of uncertainties. This may bring stress and anxiety to you, even as you read these words. We want to be in full control of our lives and understand, maybe even shape for ourselves, our path forward. This year is shaping up to be different in so many ways, experiencing so many unknowns.  Rest assured, our all knowing God goes before you in every season of life. In fact, he has laid out the perfect path and knows every twist and turn along the way. It is when we walk fully with Christ in our everyday lives; in body, mind and spirit, to be with him, that we experience the pure delight, the JOY, and peace that only he can give. Be near to him today. Delight in knowing he was with you then, he is with you now, and he will be with you in the futu
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Advent Day 23 - JOY

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3) There is no denying that this year has held tremendous trials for people all across the globe. The command to “consider it pure joy” is one many of us may have a hard time wrapping our heads around. How do we choose joy when trials of health, relationships, and finances are plaguing us and those we love? When the Bible refers to “joy,” it is not the same as the emotion of happiness, which is influenced by circumstances and can change at a moments notice. The Bible refers to joy as contentment in Christ above all else. God doesn’t ask us to deny the reality of our trials, but to view them through eyes of our faith. We can be confident in our joy because our faith is rooted in Christ. There is no trial on earth we can face that will separate us from the love of God.  In whatever trials you are facing today
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