Posts with the category “advent-devotional”

Scripture"16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.17 When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. 18 Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. 20 The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and se...  Read More

Scripture“'This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, 'Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.' When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, 'Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let...  Read More

Scripture"10 But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'” - Luke 2:10-12ReflectionIn March of 2023, I was blessed to be part of my son’s birth at...  Read More

Scripture"4 Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. 5 He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, an...  Read More

Scripture"57 When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a boy. 58 Her neighbors and relatives celebrated with her because they had heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy. 59 On the eighth day, it came time to circumcise the child. They wanted to name him Zechariah because that was his father’s name. 60 But his mother replied, 'No, his name will be John.'61 They sa...  Read More

Scripture"46 Mary said,'With all my heart I glorify the Lord!47 In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.48 He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.    Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored49 because the mighty one has done great things for me.Holy is his name.50 He shows mercy to everyone,        from one generation to the next,        who honor...  Read More

Scripture"39 Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. 40 She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 With a loud voice she blurted out, 'God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. 43 Why do I have this honor, that the m...  Read More

Scripture“Nothing is impossible for God.” - Luke 1:37ReflectionThis statement, “Nothing is impossible for God”, comes directly after two families being told by an angel that they were going to have a baby.  Both families had strong cases for why this should be impossible.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were seemingly too old.  Mary and Joseph had not had sexual relations.Those seem like fairly solid rea...  Read More

Scripture"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11ReflectionI hope I’m not the only one, but often I find myself asking the Lord, “Why?” Sometimes it’s difficult to see the “good” in the midst of chaos. As I was meditating and reflecting on this verse, that little footnote after welfare caught ...  Read More

Scripture"My child, eat honey, for it is good.    The honeycomb is sweet in your mouth.Know that wisdom is like that for your whole being.    If you find it, there is a future.    Your hope won’t be cut off." - Proverbs 24: 13-14 ReflectionWe live in the information age where “facts” are one click away 24/7. The church can often be just one more place where getting it RIGHT –the right words, the r...  Read More

Scripture“Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you're in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer.” - Romans 12:12 CEBReflectionThe Christian experiences the same world that everyone else experiences. They smile with delight at the birth of their nephew.  And they’re filled with anxiety at that child’s first steps. Their knuckles explode with pain when the wrench slips.  And their hands b...  Read More

Scripture"7 Be patient, therefore, brothers [and sisters], until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the ...  Read More

ScriptureHe was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:10-13ReflectionI’ve read this ...  Read More

Scripture"The Word became flesh    and made his home among us.We have seen his glory,    glory like that of a father’s only son,        full of grace and truth." - John 1: 14ReflectionI need you to read that again. “The Word became flesh, and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”What do you think it means for Christ to mak...  Read More

Scripture“The Scriptures say that the Messiah will come from the family of King David. Doesn't this mean that he will be born in David's hometown of Bethlehem?” - John 7:42Reflection“Mom, how tall is God?”[Gosh, I love kids’ questions.]“Well, God is everywhere, so it’s hard to say exactly how tall he is, but he’s really big,” I responded to my 5 year-old, thinking that answer would suffice.“But wh...  Read More

Scripture"As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah,though you are the least significant of Judah’s forces,one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you.His origin is from remote times, from ancient days.” - Micah 5:2ReflectionChristmastime is one of my favorite seasons of the year; even before I worked in ministry I would get so excited when stores started decorating and up unti...  Read More

Scripture"Israel, wait for the LORD! Because faithful love is with the LORD; because great redemption is with our God!" - Psalm 130:7ReflectionPsalm 130 isn’t necessarily a feel-good passage of scripture, but it’s an honest one. The writer reflects upon their need for God’s forgiveness, acknowledging that if God kept track of all of the different ways they had screwed up along the way, everybody w...  Read More

Scripture“You are my shelter and my shield—I wait for your promise.” - Psalm 119:114ReflectionHow is God’s hope showing up in everyday life?This question begs to be answered in a personal kind of way. Like a family member who is inrecovery, or God’s provision when there seemed to be none. And while those are exceedinglyhopeful scenarios, the time when I personally feel God’s hope the most is when ...  Read More

Scripture"8 Let me hear what the LORD God says, because he speaks peace to his people and to his faithful ones. Don't let them return to foolish ways.9 God's salvation is very close to those who honor him so that his glory can live in our land.10 Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.11 Truth springs up from the ground; righteousness gazes down from heaven.12 Yes, t...  Read More

Scripture"Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed?    Why are you so upset inside?        Hope in God!        Because I will again give him thanks,        my saving presence and my God." - Psalm 42:11ReflectionThe fall transition to shorter days, longer nights, always hits me hard. Now, don’t get me wrong, fall is my favorite season. I love the changing leaves, and that crisp, cool air. But, dayli...  Read More

Scripture"but those who hope in the Lord    will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles;    they will run and not grow weary,    they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31ReflectionI’m one of those “weird” people who runs voluntarily. I’m not fast or a professional by any means. Mostly, I just like to get outside in my neighborhood and log some miles while listening to an i...  Read More

Scripture"Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,'Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord!Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills.Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.Then the glory of the Lord will be revealedand all people will see it together.The Lord has spoken!'A voice said, 'Shout!'I aske...  Read More

Scripture6 "The wolf will live with the lamb,    and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;    the calf and the young lion will feed[a] together,    and a little child will lead them.7 The cow and the bear will graze.    Their young will lie down together,    and a lion will eat straw like an ox.8 A nursing child will play over the snake’s hole;    toddlers will reach right over the serpen...  Read More

Scripture"A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse;    a branch will sprout[a] from his roots.2 The Lord’s spirit will rest upon him,    a spirit of wisdom and understanding,    a spirit of planning and strength,    a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.3 He will delight in fearing the Lord.He won’t judge by appearances,    nor decide by hearsay.4 He will judge the needy with righteousnes...  Read More

Scripture"A child is born to us, a son is given to us,    and authority will be on his shoulders.    He will be named    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,    Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6ReflectionHow many times as a kid did someone ask you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I imagine a lot. You probably had some pretty good answers that evolved over time. When I ask my 10...  Read More

Scripture"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.    On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned." - Isaiah 9:2ReflectionWhen I was younger, I was afraid of the dark. If I happened to wake up in the middle of the night, I would bury myself under my covers, no matter how warm it got under there. I’m not sure I even knew what it was specifically that I was afraid of: Monst...  Read More

Scripture"13 Then Isaiah said, 'Listen, house of David! Isn’t it enough for you to be tiresome for people that you are also tiresome before my God? 14 Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel.'" - Isaiah 7:13-14ReflectionMy name is David and I have a house. Thankfully a prophet has not come to my home ...  Read More

Scripture"Whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction so that we could have hope through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures." - Romans 15:4ReflectionWelcome to the Advent Devotion. Whether you’re reading a devotional for the first time or fortieth, I’m glad you’re here. We offer up these devotions with scripture, reflection and prayer because we believe ...  Read More