Advent Devotional: Day 21

THE SET UP: This October, Japan’s Princess Mako married commoner Kei Komuro, forfeiting her spot in the royal family, as she and her husband plan to permanently relocate to New York City. They tied the knot by filing an official document but didn’t hold any formal ceremony or reception as the long-delayed marriage drew scrutiny from the media. “For me, Kei-san is a priceless person,” Make, 30, said in a news conference. “For us, our marriage was a necessary choice to live while cherishing our hearts.” Make also forfeited a $1.23 payment to leave the royal family. She did it all for love.

The story of Advent, the coming of the Messiah, is a story of love. It’s the story of Jesus giving up heaven to come to earth for us. He saw you and me as priceless people. Actually, there was a price, and it was one he was willing to pay. The most well-known Bible verse in the world encapsulates it this way: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” That was a quote from Jesus himself as he explained his mission to a spiritual seeker named Nicodemus.

During this final week of Advent which leads up to the arrival of Jesus on Christmas Day, love, the selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love of God, is the focus. We use the word love in a lot of ways in our everyday conversation. We love our kids, our spouses, and our parents. But we also love pizza, that new sweater, and the Cyclones. Love means a lot of things to us. But it means so much more when we talk about the love of God. That is love in action. It’s the love that sees each of us as a “priceless person.” It is the love that led to a birth in a stable and 33 years later a death on a cross. It is the center of the Gospel (Good News) and the hope of Christmas.

PASSAGES TO READ: Philippians 2:1-11

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• We use the word “love” all the time. How do you define love?

• What’s one of the most amazing or inspiring examples of love that you have witnessed or learned about? What about that story impacted you?

• How do you see the love of God expressed in Philippians 2?

PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, thank you for loving me enough to let go of heaven and come to earth. You didn’t show up as a conquering king or idolized person, you showed up as a baby and lived a humble life, the life of a servant. Today, I want to respond to that kind of love by reflecting it to you and to others. Help me to follow your example of love. Amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 20

THE SET UP: I used to think that telling others about Jesus was some sort of task I had to complete. It felt like a reward system, like a holy punch card. “Tell 10 people about Jesus, get an answered prayer” or something like that. Because of how it was presented, I had no real interest. 

The last few years have been phenomenal in regards to my spiritual growth, largely because my understanding and love of Jesus have grown immensely. With that deeper understanding of Jesus’ love for me, my desire to help others experience that has grown, too. It’s not because I feel like it’s a task or a chore, but because I know the difference knowing Jesus has made in my life. I want those I love and care about to have that, too.

Today’s reading shares the account of four friends who wanted to bring their buddy to Jesus. Since this man was paralyzed, his friends carried him to where Jesus was. The house Jesus was teaching at was so full, that instead of trying to push through the crowd, the men busted a hole in the roof and lowered their friend in. Jesus saw their faith and healed the man on the spot. Because of his friends’ faith, this man was able to walk out of the house that he had been carried into.

What impacts me about this account is that the man’s friends met him where he was and tenderly carried him to Jesus. It wasn’t about them; it was about doing whatever was necessary to get their friend to experience true healing. Isn’t that what introducing people to Jesus is all about?

This past year, I’ve had the wonderful experience of watching one of my best friends get to know Jesus. I didn’t do anything special. I didn’t sit down with her and talk through a list of prepared Bible verses. I didn’t pursue a friendship with her to prove to her why Christianity was right or to earn brownie points with God. I just loved her and wanted her to experience Jesus’ love, just like I have. The more we got to know each other, and the more I grew to respect and love her, the more I wanted her to know Jesus and everything He has to offer.

Just like the four men from today’s reading met their friend where he was and brought him to Jesus, that’s what I tried to do. I met my friend where she was, and then supported her and loved her in the best ways I knew how hoping she would see a reflection of God’s love through my actions. 

Isn’t that exactly what Jesus did for us? He left His heavenly throne to come into our world as a human baby. He loved us so much that He met us where we were at. He lived alongside us to show us God’s love personified. 

May this Christmas season encourage you to reflect on the love God has for us and His desire to meet you right where you are. May that love motivate you to show the same love to those around you so that they might also experience the love of the King who was willing to leave His throne on our behalf.

PASSAGES TO READ: Mark 2:1-12

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Who has encouraged you to know Jesus better? What about them stuck out to you?

• Is there someone who you’d like to introduce to Jesus? 

• How can you be a reflection of God’s love during this holiday season? 
  

PRAYER IDEA: “God, You love us more than I could ever comprehend. Thank You for coming to earth as a man so You could meet us right where we are. May I never lose the wonder of the love that made that possible. Show me how I can love better so I can be a reflection of Your love to those around me. Amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 19

THE SET UP: In the Christmas movie, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, starring Jim Carrey, after the Grinch has a change of heart, he tells one of the “Who-villains” to, “Cheer up, it’s Christmas. Most of the time, we don’t have to be told to have joy and enjoy Christmas. The celebration of Jesus’ birth and the “peace on earth, goodwill toward all men,” lead to joy.

In the Old Testament, two books, Ezra and Nehemiah, chronicle the Jews returning to Israel after 70 years of captivity. Upon their return, two priorities for them were rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem and rebuilding the temple. After they completed the rebuilding of the walls, they gathered together to celebrate their accomplishment and to listen to Ezra read them the law of Moses and remind them they were God’s people. Often when that happened, it caused people to grieve because they knew how far short they fell in keeping God’s law. But Nehemiah reminded them of something important that day. He told them not to weep or mourn, because, “the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

There is great joy in Christmas and the Advent season because rather than reminding us how we fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), we celebrate Jesus’ birth that makes us possible to be reconciled completely to God (Romans 6:23). Jesus’ birth means that we can be forgiven. That the gap between our best and God’s holiness has been bridged. And that joy can be our strength. Every year, we come to the Christmas season in many different places. Some of us are “living the dream” while others of us are just hanging on. But if your faith is in Christ, the joy of the Lord, and everything his birth means, can be your strength. Rest in that this Christmas. Be strengthened and encouraged. And have a MERRY Christmas!

PASSAGES TO READ: Nehemiah 8:9-12

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Has there ever been a time when you were struggling, but someone else’s joy helped you through?

• What do you think, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” means?

• What are three things that you can be joyful for or enjoy this Christmas?

PRAYER IDEA: “Lord, thank you for the gift of joy. Help me to find joy in you this Christmas season and to enjoy the life that you have given to me. And help me to spread joy to others during the holiday season and the new year. In your name, amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 18

THE SET UP: If I’m being truly honest, I have to admit that the holiday season is difficult for me. For the first half of my life, Christmas was a huge event. Our family all lived within a half-hour of each other, so we spent Christmas and Christmas Eve jumping from house to house, opening presents and eating amazing food. I would joke with my older cousins about how long we’d be stuck at the “kids’ table,” and then rush off to play video games with them once we finished clearing off the tables. I’d always find a way to sit on my aunt’s lap, even when I was taller than she was, and I couldn’t wait to eat my paternal grandmother’s peanut brittle (especially the year after I got my braces off - all I wanted that Christmas was her peanut brittle!).

Sadly, my Christmas traditions were flipped upside down during my last couple of years of high school as we mourned the loss of my grandmother, grandfather, and my aunt. Three huge losses within a two-year time span would be difficult for anyone, but the after-effects were just as devastating. The death in our family split our connection with our other relatives, and my uncle and cousins stopped coming to family events.

As a 16-year-old trying to figure out life, faith, and her future, losing those important relationships and my family traditions was excruciating. I was unsure of how to handle my already irrational teenage emotions, so I just became angry. So, so angry. However, becasue I was a “good Christian girl,” I thought I was supposed to just be happy all the time, so I shoved that anger down where it was allowed to grow into bitterness and resentment.

Thankfully, God has worked through all that trauma to help me become the woman I am today. With the help of my friends, family, medication, and an amazing therapist, I’ve been able to process my buried emotions and learn better coping strategies. Not only has that been huge for my own growth, but it’s given me a deeper empathy for others. I can share what I’ve learned with others, especially the students I work with, and I’m better equipped to support my friends when they go through their own hardships. 

Because of His love for me, God didn’t leave me broken. He gave me the resources and strength I needed to find true healing. 

When I start to lose my joy around this season, I try to remember that even the Almighty Creator of the universe wept. Jesus was one with God and knew exactly how everything would play out, but He still felt very real pain and He still cried. 

Jesus came to earth to save us, but He did so as a man in order to live among us and show us how to live out God’s commands in real-time. Jesus lived a fully human life. He felt pain and suffering. He faced criticism and abuse. He went through all of this to show us that God and His justice will ultimately prevail. Jesus’ example shows us that we can feel pain and confusion in hard times, but we can still have joy when we trust in God’s plan.

Christmas is the perfect time for us to remember the humble beginnings of our Savior, the One who willingly stepped down from His heavenly throne to become a carpenter’s son and eventually die a criminal’s death. But He didn’t stay there. He rose again, conquering death and taking away sin’s power.

The power that rose Jesus from the dead is working in us right now. If God is powerful enough to raise the dead and conquer sin and death, isn’t He strong enough to work out your life in a way that is greater than you could ever imagine? True joy comes from trusting in that power. True joy is knowing that even in our deepest pain, God is in control and that He loves us more than we can comprehend.

PASSAGES TO READ: Isaiah 53:1-12

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• How does it affect you knowing that Jesus felt human emotions?

• Jesus knew God’s plan, yet still felt sorrow and pain. What can you learn from His example of obedience and trust?

• What are some ways you can find joy in the hard times?

PRAYER IDEA: “God, You know exactly how everything will play out. You hold my future in Your hands. When I don’t understand why I am struggling, help me trust in You and Your love for me. Help me remember that You are a compassionate God. You lived as a completely human man, and You have felt feelings of pain and suffering. Thank You for not being a distant God. You are intimately familiar with our lives and care about us more than we can understand. Thank You for loving me and being my place of refuge no matter what I’m facing.”

Advent Devotional: Day 17

THE SET UP: One of my favorite Christmas movies is Christmas with the Kranks, starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. The movie is based on a book by John Grisham, and in the story, Luther Krank talks his wife, Nora, into, “skipping Christmas,” by using all the money they usually spent on Christmas to take a swanky cruise. Their daughter, Blair, is gone for the holidays and they decide to do something for themselves. So, they diet, they tan, they plan, and they pack for their cruise. Then the plot twists. At the last minute, Blair announces she’s coming home for Christmas and all of the cruise plans go out the window. Now the scramble is on to throw together a Christmas full of family and friends and never let their daughter she ruined their plans. 

When all this happens, Nora gets excited, but Luther gets mad. He’s been planning and looking forward to this trip. He’s been saving money by not buying gifts and Christmas trees. And now his plans are out the window. He is reluctantly dragged into the last-minute, emergency Christmas planning. His cruise is gone and his Christmas is ruined.

But, then Blair comes home, and seeing her makes it a little better. All of the Kranks’ friends and neighbors pitch in and help them pull off a Christmas miracle. Luther experiences a change of perspective. He realizes how fortunate he is to have all of these people in his life, and his anger and frustration are replaced by appreciation and joy. He had been focused on how happy a cruise would make him, but when he lost that opportunity, he stumbled into true joy.

When you read the Christmas story, there are a lot of trade-offs like Luther’s. Mary’s whole life plan was changed in one conversation with an angel. Joseph thought his dream marriage was over before it started. The stable made a less-than-ideal birthing center. But ultimately Mary, Joseph, and so many others experienced joy at the birth of Christ.

PASSAGES TO READ: Psalm 30:4-5

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Have you ever been disappointed to have your plans ruined or changed, only to be pleasantly surprised by joy?

• In today’s passage, we read, “Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” What does that passage mean to you?

• Is there someone that God has brought to your mind that could use joy this Christmas? Take a moment and pray for them.
  

PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, I pray that my family and friends would experience true joy this Christmas season. Help them (and me) to focus on you as the source of true joy, hope, and peace. May circumstances not rob them of joy. In your name, amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 16

THE SET UP: Have you ever heard the superstition that bad things happen in threes? It always seems that if something bad happens, two more bad things are going to follow.

I was at a friend’s house the other day when this exact thing played out. Earlier that week, the spring on the garage door busted. Her husband was planning on looking at it that afternoon after he helped his dad with something. As he grabbed the doorknob to leave, the doorknob popped off and fell to the ground. Thankfully, putting a doorknob back on is an easy fix, so we got that taken care of before he left. After about five minutes, her husband walked back in the door, saying, “You know what they say, ‘It happens in threes.’” 

Apparently, their car was making an awful thumping noise and jerked whenever he put on the brakes.

We all looked at each other and laughed. What else do you do in those circumstances? Thankfully, the problems were fairly easy fixes – more annoying and time-consuming than anything.

It is hard to find joy when it seems like bad things keep happening, though. The past couple of years facing a global pandemic and racial and political tension has proven that. How do can we choose joy when we can’t get a break from the bad things happening in our world?

There’s a man in the Bible that exemplifies this. You have probably heard of the story of Joseph and his coat, maybe even seen the musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. While I doubt the characters in the biblical account broke out in choreographed numbers, there’s a lot we can learn about finding joy in the hard times from Joseph’s story.

The life of Joseph takes up a large chunk of the book of Genesis. If I tried to retell all of his story, this would turn out to be more of a novella than a devotional, so I am just going to hit on some main snapshots. If you want to read the entire account, you can find it in Genesis 37-50.

Joseph was the favorite child of his parents, Jacob and Rachel. His father gave him a special coat, signifying his favoritism, which led to tension between Joseph and his other brothers. It didn’t help matters that Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers, dreams that he would one day rule over them. One day, the brothers’ animosity and jealousy boiled over, and they threw Joseph in a pit, later selling him to a caravan of slave traders. 

The caravan eventually came to Egypt, where Joseph was sold to a man named Potipher. Potipher was one of Pharoh’s ministers. Things start to look better for Joseph. Potipher was impressed by the young Hebrew, so he put Joseph in charge of his estate. Unfortunately, Potiphar’s wife was attracted to Joseph and pursued him, hoping for an intimate relationship. Joseph continually refused her. One day, he was so desperate to get away from her, that he slipped out of the robe she was holding and ran away. The angry woman twisted the story and told Potipher that it was Joseph who was trying to take advantage of her. This landed Joseph in prison.

While in prison, Joseph continued to be a successful, righteous man. The warden even placed Joseph as his right-hand man! Not only was Joseph the model prisoner, but he used his gifts of dream interpretation. A couple of years later, Pharoh had a dream that no one could interpret. Joseph’s gifts were remembered, and he was brought before Pharoh where he correctly interpreted the ruler’s dream. Pharoh made Joseph his viceroy, putting him in charge of preparing the nation for the famine that was predicted in his dream. 

Joseph rose from being the hated brother to the second-in-command of Egypt. His wisdom and trust in God allowed him to save countless lives by preparing for a nationwide famine. Eventually, Joseph would be reunited with his family and say his well-known line, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good” (Genesis 50:20).

Throughout all the negative events that happened in his life, Joseph never gave up his faith in God or set aside his values. His faith allowed him to have true joy, to see the good that God was preparing for him, even if it wasn’t happening at the time.

Bad things do happen, but like Joseph, we can find joy in the hard times. This doesn’t mean that we have to ignore the bad times or pretend like we aren’t hurting. Real joy isn’t fake happiness; real joy gives room for real emotions. Real joy allows us to feel the pain and sorrow in the moment, but helps us remember that this world and it’s troubles won’t last forever. It helps us hold on to the hope that we have about what awaits us in eternity. 

Things may be unbelievably hard right now. The holiday season often brings up hard memories and pain. Maybe you’re thinking of that spot at the table that’s going to be empty this year for the first time. Maybe all the tension going on in our world has affected your family, and this year won’t feel like a time of celebration, but a time of mourning over the relationships you’ve lost.

I want you to know that it is totally okay if you are mourning during this Christmas season, but I pray that you mourn with hope. Jesus’ birth can remind us of the good God has planned for us and that God does keep His promises. Even when the world is hard and everything seems hopeless, we can find true joy because we know that God is working out something amazing for us.

PASSAGES TO READ: Genesis 50:14-21

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Is it possible to feel sad and be hurt yet still find joy? How?

• Have you ever experienced a time when you didn’t understand the hardship you were facing, but God worked it out? What was that like?

• What emotions would you say describe your feelings about this year’s holiday season? Why did you choose those?

PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, You have a much grander understanding of our lives that we do. You see beyond the here and now, and know exactly how everything will work out. Thank you for giving me that to trust in. Even when I don’t understand the bad things that are happening in our world, I can trust that You will work everything out for my good and Your glory. Give me Your strength to enter into this holiday season with joy and hope, knowing that Your birth makes it possible to find joy in all things. Amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 15

THE SET UP:  It has been said that happiness is an emotion, but joy is a decision. We feel happy, but we can choose joy. Happiness is determined by what happens around us, joy is formed within us. 

Five days ago, tornadoes ripped through parts of Kentucky and some surrounding states leaving devastation and destruction in their wakes. You have probably seen the footage of entire towns that were leveled. You may have also seen a viral video of Jordan Baize, choosing joy in the middle of a horrific situation. In the video, Jordan sits at the piano in his house, playing a song that says, “Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name…” Jordan’s home no longer has a roof, and everything that was in the house has been thrown around the rooms or out into the yard. The piano has water damage and is missing a few keys, but Jordan plays finding a moment of hope, worship, and joy in the middle of one of the worst moments of his life.

I am sure Baize didn’t sit down and play because he felt happy (he was in the house to see what could be salvaged for his family). He had every right to feel sad, angry, and bitter, but, in that moment, he chose joy. The source of his joy was revealed in the song that he chose to play, a song that lifted the name of Jesus and gave thanks when thank had to be hard to find.

When Jesus’ birth was announced, it was described as, “good news that will bring great JOY to people.” As we count down to Christmas during this Advent season, we can choose joy because of what Jesus’ birth meant for each and every one of us. The holiday season may not be easy for you. The happiness and “Christmas spirit” that everyone seems to have might not be easy for you to find. But you can choose joy because Jesus came to give us joy that isn’t circumstantial or emotional. It’s a joy based in hope – the hope we find in his death and resurrection.

To help those affected by the tornadoes, we encourage you to give to Convoy of Hope, one of our ministry partners. You can do that here.

PASSAGES TO READ: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Do you see happiness and joy as the same or differently? In your opinion, is it possible to have joy even when you don’t feel happy?

• How do you associate joy with Christmas and the birth of Christ?

• What do you think Paul means when he writes, “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.” When you read this passage, what is God showing you?

PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, thank you for the gift of joy. Help me to choose joy today, despite my circumstances. In your name, amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 14

THE SET UP: One thing I love about children is their unhindered emotions. No matter what a young child is feeling, you know it. Whether it’s unbridled enthusiasm, absolute terror, or an ear-shattering tantrum (all of which can be seen when a child meets Santa), it’s undoubtedly clear what emotion they are feeling. They wear the emotions on their sleeves and have no problem showing the world how they feel.

At some point during our childhood, we start to reign in those emotions. Our brains develop further to give us impulse control, and we learn more acceptable ways to communicate our emotions. We learn that it’s not okay to throw ourselves to the ground screaming in the grocery store aisle because mom told us we couldn’t have that candy bar. We learn that we don’t need to sob uncontrollably when our sock doesn’t fit right inside of our shoe. We gradually become better contributors to society because we learn how to problem solve and think about our actions rather than just impulsively following our emotions.

This is all well and good, but in learning how to control our emotions, we also become better at hiding them. We become aware of what we might look like to those around us, and as adults, we will shove down emotions to keep from looking overly dramatic or ridiculous. Small kids don’t care what they look like when they react emotionally; they just show how they feel, regardless of how it might look to those around them. They don’t care if they look ridiculous jumping up and down chasing bubbles. All they know is that bubbles make them happy and they have a physical reaction to that joy.

One of my favorite things in the world is seeing kids react physically to joy and happiness. They honestly have no concept of shame! They will dance when their favorite song comes on. They jump and clap and smile when they see a loved one. It’s like their joy is so big their little bodies can’t contain it all; it just has to come out somehow!

As adults, we lose that childlike joy and wonder. We’re so focused on keeping up our image that we don’t allow ourselves to find joy in the small things that make us happy. We’re too afraid of how we might look that we stop dancing and singing to our favorite songs. We stop showing how much we love another person because we see them every day and “they should know.”

In today’s reading, King David embodied pure childlike joy as he brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant (also called the Ark of God) was a special monument built by the ancient Hebrews meant to symbolize God’s presence with His people. The ark was essentially a large, ornate chest that held the tablets Moses wrote God’s law on, a pot of manna to serve as a reminder of God’s provision, and a wooden staff to symbolize God’s leadership.

Bringing the ark back to Jerusalem was one of David’s first accomplishments as the new king of Israel. He understood the importance of having the symbol of God’s presence in the capital city. This also made a very clear statement about his intention of being a godly king. 

David was so overjoyed about the ark being back in Jerusalem that he started dancing! Can you imagine a political leader setting aside all decorum to dance? How would people react if President Joe Biden became so overjoyed that he broke out the Electric Slide? There absolutely would be some confusion and bewilderment. 

David’s wife wasn’t just confused about David’s actions; she was irate! She was the daughter of the previous king and clearly had thoughts about how a king should act. Dancing in the middle of the street was not one of those, and she had no qualms about setting David straight. However, David ended up shutting her down. God had crowned him as king over Israel, and he would celebrate in order to worship God, even if it meant looking foolish.

David shows us that it’s okay to have a physical reaction to joy. Maybe you won’t start dancing on Christmas, but may this Advent season remind you of the childlike joy we can find in Jesus.

Jesus came to bring us everlasting joy which is found in knowing the eternity with Him that awaits us. But He also gives us joy in the everyday moments, too. We can worship Him unashamedly and enjoy this life He has given us because we are utterly accepted and loved by Him.

PASSAGES TO READ: 2 Samuel 6:14-22

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What is something in your everyday life that brings you joy?

• When you are excited/happy/joyful about something, how do you naturally want to act? Do you hold back from that? Why or why not?

• How does Jesus bring us joy in the small things?

PRAYER IDEA: “God, You are the creator of emotions, and You created people to have feelings. We aren’t meant to keep everything tucked inside. May I always seek to glorify you in how I react to my feelings, and may I be wise in how I communicate my emotions. I pray that I also learn how to live joyfully without shame, knowing that I am fully accepted by You. May the joy that I have found in You impact my whole body and soul. Amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 13

THE SET UP: The greatest Christmas of my life was in 1974. That is the year that I got the GI Joe Headquarters with a working spotlight. Ralphie may have thought that his Red Rider BB gun was the ultimate gift in A Christmas Story, but the GI Joe headquarters was what was up. 

I remember looking at the large box with my name on it that was parked next to the tree in our living room. I studied from every angle, weighed it on our bathroom scale, and shook it multiple times, trying to ascertain if really was the headquarters. There was this feeling in the back of my mind that it might be something else and that my 6-year-old dreams were going to be crushed. I dared to dream that I soon would be planning and leading missions with my team assembled at the headquarters. 

When the time finally came and I got to rip away the paper from the box, I experienced pure, unadulterated, second-grade joy. The thing that I had hoped, dreamed, and yes, prayed for, had happened. I was filled with joy.

Joy is one of the themes of Advent and is expressed throughout the story of Christ’s birth. John the Baptist was to be the forerunner that would announce the Messiah to the world, and his father was told about his birth, “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,” (Luke 1:14). When the angel announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, he told them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10). 

As we anticipate Christ’s birth this Advent season, we can do so with joy. Not the temporary joy of receiving a GI Joe Headquarters (eventually, the spotlight stopped working, most of the equipment got lost, and it ended up in a garage sale), but the joy that remains and shows up when we need it most. A joy that is deeper than just being happy, joy that gives us a feeling of well-being and hope for the future. 

PASSAGES TO READ: Luke 1:1-38

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What is the time in your life that you remember feeling the most joyful? Christmas as a kid? Your wedding? When your team won the Super Bowl?

• Do you think there is a difference between joy and happiness? How would you describe that difference?

• How can you experience joy this Advent/Christmas season? 

PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, thank you for making it possible for me to experience joy in my life. May I not let circumstances or situations steal my joy this Christmas. Help me to choose joy today, despite what I may feel. In your name, amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 11

THE SET UP: At Thanksgiving this year, I got a reminder of what peace really looks like. We were at my in-laws house and it was the typical fun, loud, holiday gathering. There were a lot of us all crammed into a relatively small space. Everyone was talking, laughing, or yelling at the TV while we watched football. The game was blaring as we kept turning it up to hear over all the talking we were doing. There were three large dogs running around; and we were trying to get tables set up, food on plates, and everyone to a spot to eat.

And in the middle of all that chaos and commotion, my one-year old nephew, Jaxxon, was sprawled out and stone-cold sleeping like it was nothing. When we screamed at the game on TV, he didn’t stir. When the dogs started barking and chasing each other around every time someone new showed up, he didn’t flinch. He, well, slept like a baby. What was going on around him had no effect on him. And I think that’s what peace looks like.

We tend to think that peace looks like a Bob Ross painting with “happy trees” and birds glide on the breeze. But I think peace, real peace, is something that sustains us in the middle of life’s commotion and challenges. Anyone can feel calm on a quiet day in a breezy meadow. But it takes real peace to handle the storms. 

That’s the peace that Jesus, the “Prince of Peace,” offers to us. The ability to turn to him in the middle of the darkest and most trying moments of our lives and rest assured that he will be with us in the storm and has the ability to bring us through the storm. Today’s Scripture reading is a reminder to us about the peace we have in Christ.

PASSAGES TO READ: Mark 4:35-41

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Put yourself in the disciples’ sandals. What do you think they were feeling before Jesus spoke to the storm? What about after he spoke to the storm?

• Has there been a time when Jesus has answered your prayer and calmed a storm and brought peace to your life? What happened?

• Someone once said, “Sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes he calms us.” What do you think about that statement? How would you define peace?

PRAYER IDEA: “Lord, that you for bringing peace to my life. I thank you that whatever storms I may go through, you will always be there with me. When I feel anxious, worried, or fearful today, remind me that you are the Prince of Peace and that I can entrust all of my challenges to you. May I be an agent of peace in the lives of others around me to as well. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 10

THE SET UP: On April 12, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested for a series of protests and marches against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. While sitting in his cell, King wrote one of my favorite works of American literature: “A Letter From Birmingham Jail.”

The campaign of protests that King led raised concerns with eight white religious leaders in the South. They criticized his methods, saying that his actions in Birmingham were “unwise and untimely,” and essentially telling him he was an outsider who had no business in Alabama because he was from Atlanta. His letter is a response to these religious leaders and describes the different types of peace: negative peace and positive peace. 

I think King’s letter should be read in full because there are so many good thoughts about nonviolent protests and civil disobedience (you can read it here), but this quote sums it up nicely:

“I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councillor or the Ku Klux Klanner but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says, "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can't agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically feels that he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by the myth of time; and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”

You see, we often mistake the absence of conflict for peace. While that is partly true, it’s not the whole story. True peace doesn’t just mean there isn’t any conflict or tension; true peace means that there is justice. The conflict isn’t just gone; it’s been resolved.

How many times have we ignored a conflict in order to have peace? We decide not to have that hard conversation because we don’t want to deal with the potential fallout. We choose not to stand up for what is right because we don’t want to rock the boat. When those are our decisions, things may appear peaceful, but did we really achieve peace?

One of Jesus’ titles is the Prince of Peace. This is absolutely true, but not because He sat down with everyone and sang “Kumbaya.” If you read the accounts of Jesus’ life on earth, you’ll see just what a troublemaker He was. That almost feels blasphemous to say, but He truly was a holy troublemaker of the best kind. He disobeyed hundreds of years of religious tradition and rules; He overturned tables; He spent time with those who were cast aside by society.

Jesus Himself said that He didn’t come to bring peace (Matthew 10:34), but what He’s referring to is what Dr. King calls negative peace. Jesus didn’t come to earth to ignore our pain and suffering and cover everything with a “happily ever after,” but to bring justice that would right all wrongs. He came to lay the groundwork for positive peace, the peace that will come one day when He returns and removes all of the conflicts that have plagued us since Adam and Eve rejected God’s command. 

As we think about the peacefully sleeping baby boy born in a manger so long ago, may we remember that He grew up to conquer death and will one day return as the Almighty King. When we remember God’s humble coming as a human baby, may we also rejoice in the promise that one day we will live in perfect, true peace with Him when He returns to right all wrongs.

PASSAGES TO READ: Matthew 10:5-39

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• How would you describe the difference between negative peace and positive peace?

• Has there ever been a time you opted to leave a conflict unresolved so that you didn’t have to deal with the potential fallout? Did that bring you peace?

• Why do you think Jesus said that He didn’t come to bring peace? How can that be true when He is also called the Prince of Peace?

PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace. I know that even though the world seems chaotic now, one day You will bring perfect peace. You will come again to remove all sin and conflict, to bring justice once and for all, and right all wrongs. May I remember that You didn’t passively ignore conflict, You sought to restore relationships, especially my relationship with God. Give me the wisdom and courage to resolve conflicts in my life and choose to live at peace with others, even when it’s hard. Amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 9

THE SET UP: My favorite American president is Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. I’ve always liked his “walk softly but carry a big stick” approach to life and leadership. Roosevelt overcame a lot of health challenges as a sickly child to become an outdoorsman, soldier, and ultimately the president of the United States. 

Long before Roosevelt became president, he served as the Undersecretary of the Navy. In that role, he was a big advocate for increasing the size and strength of our naval forces. Many people were turned off by his position and accused him of being a warmonger. They feared that a large navy would be an encouragement to go to war. Roosevelt saw it completely differently. He said, “A good navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace.” In other words, a strong navy would prevent other nations from wanting to go to war with America. 

In the same way, we can experience peace in our lives because of Christ. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” In the middle of many trials and sorrows (life), we can take heart and experience peace in Him. Why? Because like an overwhelming military force, he has already won the battle. Jesus overcame the world through his death and resurrection, as a result, anything we face, anything we go through, has already been defeated. We can find peace in Christ because the battle has already been won.

PASSAGES TO READ: John 16:25-33

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What is the biggest threat to your personal peace? 

• What do you think it means to “find your peace in Jesus”?

• How does knowing that Jesus has overcome the world help you to find peace?

PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, I pray that today you would help me to find peace in you no matter what the day may hold. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me that you have already overcome this situation and that I can trust you. I give my day to you, the ups and the downs, and I ask for your peace in every circumstance. In your name, I pray, amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 8

THE SET UP: In Northern Ireland, there’s a city that’s so divided, part of the population calls it Londonderry and others call it Derry. In this city Protestants live on the east bank and Catholics on the west bank. Many of them don’t like to mix, so one of the solutions was to build a bridge. The 900-foot bridge curves like a snake and is for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. They named it “Peace Bridge.” That’s what they’re trying to do, build a bridge, build peace.

But is that really peace or is it just accommodation or a compromise? The bridge might “keep the peace,” but is it bringing any peace? 

When Jesus was born to bring “peace on earth, goodwill to men,” He didn’t show up to get people to play nice with each other. He came to bring reconciliation. He came to bring healing. He came to bring peace. That peace begins between us and God. The reason Jesus was born and ultimately died and was resurrected was to reconcile us to God so we could experience peace. It is that ultimate peace we can experience that allows us to experience peace with ourselves (internally) and with other people (externally). 

Until we have peace with God, which leads to a clean moral conscious, we can’t really experience peace with anyone else, and that includes the person in the mirror. As we await Christ’s birth this Advent season, we can experience peace with God and man.

PASSAGES TO READ: Romans 5:1-2

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Do you think there is a difference between “getting along” with someone and really having peace with them? What’s the difference in your opinion?

• What do you think it means to have peace with God? With others? With yourself?

• Have you trusted in Jesus to bring you peace with God? 

PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, thank you for coming to earth to reconcile us to God and make a way for us to experience true peace. Thank you that you didn’t just build a bridge so we could get along, but you became the bridge so that we could cross it and find forgiveness from God. I pray for your peace in my life this Advent season.”

Advent Devotional: Day 7

THE SET UP: I signed up for a women’s barbell competition a couple of weeks ago. While it’s not until April, I am a little nervous because it’s a new type of competition for me. I’ve been weightlifting for a while, but the idea of going up against other incredibly strong women is a bit nerve-wracking. Fortunately, I have some secret weapons - my team includes two of the strongest women I know, who happen to be friends of mine, and I have the support of my friends and family.

For as long as I can remember, having people I care about watching me perform has given me a sense of peace and a huge ego boost. Whether it was cross country meets in high school, instrumental performances in college, or athletic events now, there is something about having the presence of my friends and family that gives me peace of mind. I think it’s because I know that no matter how I perform, my people will be proud of me. I don’t have to perform well to earn favor or acceptance, so I can just enjoy whatever I’m participating in. The support of my friends and family means the world to me. When I know they stand behind me, no matter what, there is nothing I can’t do.

I’m sure you’ve experienced a situation where having a loved one present brought you peace and comfort. There’s something about having someone next to you that makes everything a little easier. It’s easier to push yourself when you have a partner, when you have the support of someone who loves you whether you hit a home run or strike out.

There’s a story in the Old Testament about three friends who supported each other as they made a huge, life-changing decision. Would they follow the king’s orders or God’s?

Nebuchadnezzar was one of the greatest kings in the ancient Babylonian Empire. One day, it seemed fitting to him to erect a gigantic statue. It’s unclear exactly what the statue represented, but a golden statue towering 90 feet high surely meant something. Whether it was intended to be a divine being or a statue of himself, Nebuchadnezzar decided that everyone must bow and worship the image. Three young, Jewish men – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – made the decision not to bow in worship. As Jews, they followed God’s law, and one of God’s commandments was not to worship any other gods besides Him.

When King Nebuchadnezzar found out about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s decision, he was furious. But they were good men, so he gave them an ultimatum – worship the statue or be burned alive in a furnace. They calmly told him that he didn’t need to give them another chance. They weren’t going to worship his statue. He could burn them if he wanted, but they knew their values and weren’t going to be swayed.

This did not sit well with ol’ Nebby, so he ordered the furnace to be turned up seven times hotter than usual. The furnace was so hot that the soldiers who threw the three men into the fire burned to death.

As Nebuchadnezzar watched on, he shockingly noticed that not only were the three men walking around the furnace, seemingly unharmed but that another person had appeared inside of the furnace as well.

It’s debatable whether the fourth person in the furnace was a pre-image of Jesus or if it was an angel. Regardless, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had a form of God’s presence with them in the furnace. Not only did God rescue them from the fire, but His presence came alongside them! And they had each other. They were each responsible for their own decision, but I’m sure it was easier to make knowing their buddies were standing with them.

Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus’s birth. He would eventually die for our sins on the cross, but what I find most humbling is that Christmas is when the almightly God of the universe put Himself into the form of a man so that He could live life beside us. Christmas is a time to remember the peace we can have knowing that God doesn’t let us do things on our own. His presence is with us, offering us peace and comfort, no matter what we may face.

PASSAGES TO READ: Daniel 3:1-25

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Has there been a time where having your friends supporting you made something easier or more bearable?

• How does God’s presence bring peace?

• Does knowing Jesus lived a life on earth just like we do bring you peace? Why or why not?

PRAYER IDEA: “God, Your presence is peace. No matter what I am facing, knowing You are always with me gives me strength and confidence. Thank you for the support systems you have placed in my life and the people who bring me peace and comfort by standing beside me. Help me give that same peace to others who might need it. Amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 6

SET UP: My younger sister got married a couple of weeks ago. The wedding was beautiful and the reception was an absolute blast! But the best part of the whole shebang was getting to spend time with both my sisters throughout all the showers and parties leading up to the main event.

Like most families, the three of us fought like cats and dogs during our childhood. I was the oldest and often got annoyed that my younger sisters would follow me everywhere, which meant I received quite a few lectures from my parents about being a good example and being patient with my siblings (if you are also the eldest sibling, you’ve probably faced a similar experience).

What I realized throughout my sister’s preparation for her wedding was that my siblings and I aren’t just sisters, we’re friends, too. We enjoy spending time together - not just forced family time, but actually hanging out with each other. I’m thankful that we’ve put aside our childish arguing and bickering as we’ve grown into adulthood.

The Bible is full of dysfunctional families and siblings that try to stab one another in the back. There’s a story of two twin brothers named Jacob and Esau. These guys are the epitome of sibling rivalry. 

In ancient Israel, the oldest son was the primary receiver of the father’s inheritance - his money, title, and land. The firstborn son would receive the “birthright”; he would become the leader of the family and receive the judicial authority of his father. In the story of Jacob and Esau, Esau was the firstborn son. According to their culture and laws, he should have been the recipient of the birthright. However, thanks to family drama, Jacob and his mother tricked their father into giving Jacob the birthright. When Esau found out his blessing had been given to his younger brother, he lost his mind and vowed to kill Jacob after his father passed away. Their mother told Jacob what Esau planned, and Jacob fled.

Fast forward twenty years. Jacob was now married (to two women - the family dysfunction continues), and had created a new life for himself away from his brother. And then God told him to return home.

It’s no wonder that Jacob was terrified to return to his homeland. What if Esau was just waiting to kill him? If he followed God’s instructions to return, would he be putting his entire family and livelihood in danger?

Jacob chose to trust God and followed His command to return home. He was prepared for the worst, but when Jacob saw Esau, his brother ran and greeted him with a loving embrace. 

Esau had every right to be angry at Jacob. He could have exiled his brother when Jacob returned or attacked him as revenge for stealing his birthright. No one would have faulted him if he decided to seek justice for being wronged. But Esau chose peace and forgave his brother.

We’re not so different from Jacob. How many times have we acted against God in order to get what we want? How often have we decided to take things into our own hands instead of trusting in God’s plans?

Because of our sin, God has every right to exile us from His family. Instead, He forgives us and welcomes us back home with a loving embrace. Christmas is a reminder of when Jesus came to earth, but it also reminds us of Jesus’s mission while He was here. Jesus didn’t just come to die for our sins; He also came to restore our relationship with God. He came to bring peace between humanity and God so that we can return to Him without fear of rejection or retribution.

PASSAGES TO READ: Genesis 25:19-25, 27:1-46, and 33:1-4

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What stuck out to you in the story of Jacob and Esau?

• Is there a relationship in your life where you would like to have peace and reconciliation? What would that look like to you?

• Jesus died to pay the debt for our sins, but also to bring peace between humanity and God. Why do you think both those truths are important?

PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, You are the ultimate peacemaker. Thank You for wanting a relationship with us and sacrificing Yourself to make that happen. May this Christmas season remind me to seek peace with others. If there is someone I need to make peace with, please show me and give me Your strength to take any next steps towards reconciliation.”

Advent Devotional: Day 5

THE SET UP: In the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, there is a scene where Indiana Jones has to cross a seemingly invisible bridge. The only way that he will be able to cross it is by taking a leap of faith, by stepping out into nothing and hoping there will be something solid to stand on (it’s an older movie, but I won’t spoil it for you). That’s the way a lot of people view faith, especially the Christian faith.

Many people view faith as a “shot-in-the-dark” hope that God is real and that God is good. But that’s not the hope that the Bible talks about. The hope the Bible describes is a hope based on history. It’s looking back at what God has already done in our lives so we can look forward (even when we can’t see what’s up there) with hope. The writer of Hebrews says it this way, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”

As we hope this Advent season, we are not crossing our fingers and praying to get lucky. We are waiting in hopeful expectation.

PASSAGES TO READ: Hebrews 11:1-40

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What is one way that you can see God’s faithfulness in your life? How does that help you to hope for the future?

• Why do you think we should put our hope in God’s promises? 

• Is there something that you are hoping for this Christmas? Have you shared your hopes with God?

PRAYER IDEA: “God, I want to thank you for the ways you have been good to me in the past and come through when I needed you. I believe I can trust you with my future as well. Christmas is a reminder to me that I can put my hope in you. Amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 4

SET UP: The other day, one of my co-workers asked me if I was a “sneaker head.” I hadn’t ever considered myself that, but then I thought about my spending habits and the amount of money I throw down on sneakers (or really anything Nike).

A couple of weeks ago, a new pair of Jordans dropped at 9:00 AM. I was pumped! I had my notifications set up, my Apple Pay ready to go - I even went as far as asking someone to be on call for me at work so I could place my order the moment it went live. I did absolutely everything in my power to guarantee that I would have a fresh new pair of kicks. 

They sold out within seconds. And unfortunately, I was not one of those lucky owners of the newest Jordans.

It’s such a hard thing, isn’t it? When we wait and hope for something, when we do everything right, but what we wanted doesn’t come through? My obsession with shoes is absolutely materialistic, but when you really want something, it’s still a bummer when it doesn’t happen.

In ancient Israel, a woman’s status and reputation were often staked on whether or not they had any children, specifically male children. Today’s reading is about a woman named Hannah who faced hardship and cruelty because she wasn’t able to have children. Her husband was also married to another woman who harassed Hannah relentlessly because of her inability to become pregnant.

In her distress, Hannah begged and pleaded with God to give her a child, so much so that the priest who witnessed her prayers thought she was drunk. Her hope, humility, and desire to serve God sacrificially speaks volumes about her faith. She promised God that she would dedicate her child to His service if He would allow her to become pregnant. God answered her prayer, and her son Samuel became an advisor and friend of the mighty King David. Not only that, but God used Samuel as the one to anoint David when he was just a young teenager, forgotten and ignored by his family (not exactly what we would consider king material).

You might be hoping for a new pair of sneakers under your tree this Christmas. Or maybe you’re hurting because you thought you were doing everything you were supposed to, but nothing is happening in the way you hoped. If that is your current situation, it is so unbelievably hard - I don’t want to downplay that. This world can be so cruel. But please know that when your hope is in God and what He can do through a heart that desperately wants to serve Him, things will eventually work out. It may not be easy, but it will be greater than we could ever imagine. Hannah’s hope that God would answer her prayers gave her a son. She didn’t get to raise Samuel, which must have been heart-wrenching at times, but he went on to lead Israel in their faith and usher in one of the best kings Israel would ever know. 

Hoping in God’s plan isn’t guaranteed to be easy, but it is absolutely worth it.

PASSAGES TO READ: 1 Samuel 1:1-20

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What are you hoping for this Christmas season?

• Has there been a time when something didn’t turn out as you hoped it would? Looking back at that situation now, are you thankful or disappointed?

• How can you find hope in disappointment or unwanted situations?

PRAYER IDEA: “God, Your plans are so much greater than mine. Thank You for giving me something better than my own abilities to hope in. When my hope is in You and Your abilities, I know that You will cause amazing things to happen, even when I don’t understand what You are doing. Help me trust in Your plans more than my own. Amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 3

THE SET UP: At a recent funeral I heard a great story about the man who had passed away. One day he picked his niece and nephew up and took them to a toy store. He told them he wanted to get some toys for the kids who lived next door to him and wanted his niece and nephew to help him pick out the toys since they would know what kids would like. So, they walked through the store with their uncle, filling up a shopping cart with their favorites. They left the store and headed home.

As they hopped out of the car and headed for the house, they were surprised to see their uncle following behind them, carrying the bags with all the toys they had picked out. With a big grin, he told them that the toys were for them, and he hoped they really liked what they had picked out. They were surrounded by gifts the whole time and had no idea.

In today’s passage, two men who had pinned all their hopes on Jesus have a long talk with him on a road trip, not realizing who they were talking to. Sometimes hope is right in front of us and we just can’t see it. 

PASSAGE TO READ: Luke 24:13-35

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Have you ever missed out on an opportunity that was right in front of you? What happened?

• Advent is the anticipation of Jesus’ coming, and Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birth. Why do you think we sometimes lose the significance of Jesus’ birth?

• How can you “recognize” the hope of Christ’s birth this Christmas?

PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, I don’t want to miss out on the hope that you bring this Christmas. Help me to see and hear through the noise and business of the holiday season to really experience your hope this year. Amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 2

SET UP: When we think of someone’s lineage or when we share stories about our ancestors, we tend to share our ties to people who did amazing things. On my dad’s side, one of my ancestors is Daniel Boone. On my mom’s side, grandmother was a descendent of the Hohenzollerns, a royal family from Germany.

It was prophesied that Jesus would come from the line of King David. It would make sense that the Almighty Savior of the World would be descended from one of the most powerful kings in Israel’s history. But God often uses unexpected people to bring His plans to fruition.

In Jesus’ day, women typically weren’t included in the genealogy list. It was more important who your male ancestors were; however, in Jesus’ genealogy, God saw it fit to include five women - Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, the wife of Uriah, and Mary (Matthew 1:1-16).

The stories of these women are some of my favorite accounts told in Scripture. Not only does God highlight the faith of women in a time where their stories were rarely told, but He shares the stories of women who were looked down on by society.

Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and slept with her father-in-law as a weird version of revenge.

Rahab was a prostitute who hid Israelite spies and later joined the Hebrews.

Ruth was from a pagan culture looked down upon by the Israelites.

The wife of Uriah is never explicitly named, but her husband was killed by King David in order to cover up his affair with her.

Mary became pregnant out of wedlock while engaged to her future husband.

Sadly, if we met these women today, many of us would write them off as helpless cases. But God not only chose to change their lives around, He also used them to bring His Son into our world. They hoped in something bigger than themselves, and they are now recorded in God’s Word.

Maybe your heritage isn’t that fantastic. Maybe your family is the epitome of dysfunction. But God can use anyone as long as their hope is in Him and His promises. 

PASSAGE TO READ: Matthew 1:1-16

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. How does your family or your background impact your faith?

2. Does your hope affect how you interact with your family? How?

PRAYER IDEA: “God, thank you for using people who don’t seem that special in society’s eyes. Thank you for wanting to use us in Your work, even though it’d most definitely be easier to do it on Your own. I know Your plan for me is greater than my background and my heritage. No matter what my history is, I can hope in Your promise to use my life in a way greater than I could ever imagine. Amen.”

Advent Devotional: Day 1

THE SET UP: Have you ever worked the overnight shift? In college, I worked as a security guard to help pay my way through school. It was an interesting job – unless you were working the overnight shift. Then it became a game of survival as I tried to stay awake and semi-alert until my shift was over. Many nights I was sure I wasn’t going to make it and every flat surface I saw was a potential bed, and then the first rays of sunlight would appear as the sun came up. That light gave me hope.

Those first rays of light let me know the night was over, and pretty soon I would be punching out and grabbing some sleep.

In the Old Testament, one writer compares waiting for God to a night watchman waiting for the sun to come up (Psalm 130:6). When you have been stuck in darkness for a while, any little glimpse of light gives you hope. Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned,” as he prophesied the birth of the Messiah. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read that Jesus was the fulfillment of that prophecy. As we consider the Advent theme of hope, we can give thanks that Jesus came as a light in the darkness, bringing us hope.

PASSAGES TO READ: Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:12-17

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What’s the darkest place you have ever been? A closet? A cave? A power outage?

• “A light in the darkness” seems like a good definition of hope. How would you define hope?

• As Christmas approaches, what is one way that Christ has brought hope to your life?

PRAYER IDEA: “God, thanks for sending Jesus into this world to be a light in the darkness. Thank you for caring enough about me to bring me hope through Christ. As Christmas approaches, help me to remember the light and to reflect the light to those around me. Amen.”