Advent Devotional - Day 1

Sunday, November 29
The First Sunday of Advent

Every Sunday during Advent we invite you to join us in lighting an Advent wreath in your home. These wreaths can be elaborate parts of your Christmas decor, or they can simply be four candles gathered from around the house (Pinterest is full of inspiration).

Traditionally, many families light their Advent candle at dinnertime or during an evening quiet time. Each week another candle is lit to mark time and bring more light as Christmas draws nearer.

As you light the first candle consider these words...
In those days, after much suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

About that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come...in the evening, or at midnight, or at dawn. Keep awake.
(Mark 13:24-26, 32, 33, 35, 37)

Such amazing things will happen in the sky to herald the return of the Son of Man...Jesus, coming in the clouds
…the sun grows dark
…the moon doesn’t shine
…and stars fall from the heavens

So different from that first coming more than 2000 years ago:
…with angels singing of God’s glory and peace on earth
… with the single star guiding the way to the manger
…with shepherds and wise men – rich and poor – coming to worship

And so we watch, and wait, and stay alert, waiting again for the coming of Jesus. And we light a single candle in preparation for that glorious day.

[Light the first candle on the Advent wreath.]

…And even if the sun should grow dark
… even if the moon refuses to shine
… even if the stars should fall from the sky
…we will have Jesus, the Light of the World, to shine brightly in our hearts, lighting our way.

Come, Lord Jesus.
Amen.

Adapted from umcdiscipleship.com