Something New | Advent Devotional Day 9

Advent 2025 DevotionalCore | Peace
December 8, 2025
Written by Jeff Brenneman

Title: Something New

Scripture:


My Reflection

Years ago, during an uncertain time in my life, I remember walking out of my garage with my coffee cup in hand and just looking at my yard and a rock garden that had a bunch of leaves in it at the time. And I wandered a few steps and all I could see was just brown, seemed to match what I currently felt. And then, I don’t know why, I looked down and noticed one single, small purple flower. In the midst of the bleakness, hope. It struck me then that it was something new coming out of the earth, the same earth that had been there for who knows how long. 

This scripture invites us to do something similar: to consider Jesus as that brand new thing coming out of the stump of Jesse. The hope of a new sprout, the new branch. And the coming of something real, not judging by appearances or going on someone else’s words. In this time of waiting, the comfort of knowing that Jesus is coming in wisdom and understanding and strength. That peace will come to us if we pay attention to those things and do not pay attention to those other things vying for our attention so aggressively.

And so, the invitation today is to pay attention to the things that are quiet, that are coming, that are beginning, that are beautiful and peaceful.

My Prayer:
Reflection Questions:

• Are there ways in which you may be able to cultivate this spirit of noticing the new, the rejuvenated? 
• What things might God have for you today as you look with different eyes?

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