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Advent Devotions 2021
 

Welcome to Advent!

There are many ways to prepare for Jesus’ coming into our lives. One important

way is to set aside time to be quiet, offer prayers, hear the stories of God’s plan

for Jesus’ birth, and think about what it all means for us and the church.

Taking time each day to prepare for Christ’s birth can include everyone in the

family or just yourself for some spiritual time alone. Find a quiet time; early in the

morning, a sunny winter afternoon, during the evening meal, or before bed to

gather together or take your alone time, and read, reflect, and pray in this Holy

time.
 

Week One:

This first week of Advent is all about ‘watchful waiting.’ What are we waiting for in

these weeks? And what should we be doing while we wait?
 

Prayer for each day: God of our hope, we watch and wait for you. Help us to be

patient as we prepare for your gift of Jesus. Wake us up to see the signs of your

coming glory. Amen.
 

Suggestions for Families with Children: Bring Mary and Joseph together and

move them day by day, closer to the stable of your nativity set. until they are in the

stable on Christmas Eve.
 

Monday – Read Romans 13:11-14

11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake

from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became

believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works

of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not

in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in

quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no

provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
 

As Christians we have a responsibility to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

The time has come for believers to cast off any works of darkness in our lives.

Instead, we should live as people who walk in the light, taking on the spiritual

armor of light and Christ Himself.
 

Tuesday - Read Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more

than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with Him

is great power to redeem.

It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
 

With Jesus there is forgiveness. The God to whom we pray; The God who created

and reigns over all things; The God hears the cry from the depths of our sorrow;

MEETS us in our pain, and accompanies us into and through that pain, sharing in

our suffering, and leads us toward the light of His redemption in the form of a tiny

baby born in a stable.
 

Wednesday - Read Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with

child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
 

In Isaiah 7:14 we are reminded that faith and hope involves us to trust in God's

promise. He does things in His own time, and even though sometimes we have to

wait for all of the good things that He offers us, it will come. Especially for the

biggest Promise of all. The Savior. The Messiah. God’s Son… Therefore the Lord

himself will give you a sign. This is one of the most hopeful statements you can

read. Advent is the very best time to give thanks for the many gifts that God has

given us.
 

Thursday – Read John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world

gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
 

Peace. That’s an important word. Do you know what it means? Peace is the

feeling of being safe and secure. True peace is trusting God to take care of your

needs in any situation. We trust God because He made us a promise…
 

Friday – Read 1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is

born of God and knows God.
 

This passage from 1 John is straightforward and simple. LOVE. It’s all around us.

Sometimes it’s not as obvious as other times… But we don’t need to go looking

very far for God’s love… ESPECIALLY at Christmastime… His Peace and Hope are

everywhere. Love fills every part of the Christmas story: God so loved the world

that he sent his Only Begotten Son. Christmastime is a season when love of God

and of our family and friends fills us all. When the beautiful and peaceful feeling of

Christmas is gone, we can have hope, peace, and love ALL YEAR.
 

Saturday – Read Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will

give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and

humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my

burden is light.”
 

When we are tired and feeling lonely, Jesus is by our side to give us comfort.

When we are struggling to manage everything that we are trying to do at once,

we know that we are not alone. We are never alone.
 

Sunday - Read Isaiah 41:13

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I

will help you.”
 

God declares to us that He is our God who holds us with His right hand,

therefore, we have no reason to fear or worry, regardless of the problem,

circumstances, or issues of life. All of our help comes from GOD! Trust Him!

The Lord our God will help us, our lives are in His capable and loving hands.
 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon

you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and

give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)