The 1st Week in Advent
On the first Sunday in Advent we light the first candle on the wreath – the Prophecy Candle, and we remember the power of God’s Word, and how he keeps His Promises.
Things to do this week:
· Set up nativity set
· Write messages on Christmas cards
· Hang some of the decorations
· Get out your Christmas music
1st Day of Advent
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. I John 4:9
Love was When Jesus Came to Men
Today rejoice because you are loved by God.
Love divine, All love excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down!
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
All thy faithful mercies crown. (from song by Charles Wesley)
2nd Day of Advent
“Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people,” saith your God. Isaiah 40:1
Can’t you feel the Father’s compassion as He sees the faint-hearted, hurting world stumbling and imprisoned in darkness and sin?
His answer was Christmas.
“Tell her that her sins I cover,
And her warfare now is over.”
3rd Day of Advent
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:2
Sun of my soul, Thou Savior dear,
It is not night if Thou be near;
O may no earthborn cloud arise
To hide me from Thy servant’s eyes.
Consider how the “Son”light has changed your life
4th Day of Advent
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
No other birth can be recalled with a statement written over 700 years in advance of the event. God always makes His Word and Promises come to pass. Today, take one of His promises and claim it.
5th Day of Advent
When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Galations 4:4
God knows the most effective moment. I’d always rather have God’s calendar than mine.
6th Day of Advent
These people come near me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Isaiah 29:13
Throughout the Christmas season we ceremoniously go to church, set up our nativity sets, and listen to and sing Christmas carols, but is it from the heart? Honest cries and whispered confessions are welcome sounds to God.
What do you have to lose if
you give God your whole heart?
7th Day of Advent
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1
The genealogy of Jesus sparkles with the names of those who obeyed God – Abraham, Ruth, David, Hezekiah, Josiah, and Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father. Faith, obedience and love for God are the ingredients that produce the sparkle.
Do you know someone who sparkles in your world?
The 2nd Week in Advent
On the second Sunday in Advent we light both the Prophecy candle and the second candle – which is the Bethlehem Candle, and we give thanks for Jesus’ coming to earth.
Things to do this week:
· Purchase Christmas tree
· Mail Christmas cards
· Do shopping for gifts for loved ones
· Give a gift to someone who doesn’t expect it
8th Day of Advent
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me to be the ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2
God prefers to work through the insignificant, small and humble, such as the town of Bethlehem and little Mary. Will you be available for Him today?
9th Day of Advent
He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. John 1:11
No room in the inn. Jesus, You were the Messiah they had been waiting for, yet when You arrived, they would not accept You. Though Your own did not receive You, grant that I may embrace You with open arms, and make room for You in my life.
10th Day of Advent
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
Jesus’ beginnings were much earlier than His human birth. Even from eternity and before history, He was God. Babe of Bethlehem, grant me the grace to be still and know that you are God.
11th Day of Advent
And the angel said unto her, “Fear not, Mary.” Luke 1:30
To those people who knew the shattering experience of being called or chosen – Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds – each one heard these preliminary words of comfort, “Fear not.” Lord, speak to me these reassuring words, and reveal to me the tasks you would have me undertake.
12th Day of Advent
Then said Mary unto the angel, “How shall this be?” Luke 1:34
The servant of God is available to do whatever God asks even though there is much she doesn’t understand. A servant of God considers it a privilege to serve, not a burden.
13th Day of Advent
My heart is overflowing with praise of my Lord. My soul is full of joy in God my Savior. For He has deigned to notice me, His humble servant. Luke 1:46-48
Mary was going to be a part of God’ wonderful plan of salvation for the world and the unfolding of prophecy. God has a plan for our lives too. Can we too say with joy, “Be it unto me according to Your Will”?
14th Day of Advent
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him. Matt 1:24
God carefully hand-picked Joseph. He was quick to obey God, and his patient tenderness and firm reliance on God’s Word gave Mary the support she needed. Lord, you also invite me to entrust myself, to set my future beside the manger where the Son may claim it for His own.
The 3rd Week in Advent
On the third Sunday in Advent, light the Prophecy Candle, the Bethlehem Candle, and the third candle– the Shepherd’s Candle, which signifies joy and hope as we recall the shepherds’ response to the angel’s announcement.
Things to do this week:
· Christmas baking
· Attend a church or Sunday School Christmas program
· Listen to Christmas records
· Do something for someone who is needy
15th Day of Advent
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem to see this thing which has come to pass. Luke 2:15
God has the answer to the world’s questions of “What shall we do?” and “To whom shall we go?” When the shepherds acted on the angel’s announcement, what did they find? – God with us in the flesh – the answer to every problem and the all-sufficient Savior of the world.
16th Day of Advent
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Matt.1:21
“Jesus, only name that’s given
Under all the mighty heav’n,
Whereby man, to sin enslaved,
Bursts his fetters, and is saved.”
May the name of JESUS be very precious to you today.
17th Day of Advent
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. . . John 1:14
Christ dwelt among sinners that sinners might dwell with Him eternally.
Read John 1:1-14
John fills in the background and adds depth and height, the full dimension of eternity, to the simple story of Christmas found in Luke and Matthew. Lord, today renew my awe at the magnitude and mystery of Christmas.
18th Day of Advent
“Ye shall find the Babe. . . “ Luke 2:12
The Lord of glory entered our world as a baby, and His baby hand was the same hand that upholds the universe. When we see the Cross overshadowing the manger, we will know the real meaning of Christ’s birth.
“Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free.” Charles Wesley
19th Day of Advent
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:16
His first bed was a cattle feeding trough, yet the shepherds saw the Savior’s majesty and glory shine even from this humble bed.
20th Day of Advent
And when they (the shepherds) had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. Luke 2:17
The heart that has met Jesus bids the tongue to speak of Him to all people. Simply tell them . . . “He came to do you good.”
21st Day of Advent
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen. Luke 2:20
If we truly understand Who it was in the manger that night; the Son of God who left His heavenly home because of us, I think our witness would be every bit as compelling, and our joy as contagious as the shepherds’ was.
The 4th Week in Advent
On the fourth Sunday in Advent, besides the Prophecy Candle, the Bethlehem Candle, and the Shepherds’
Candle, the fourth candle is lit – the Angel’s Candle, which reminds us to be like the angels, serving God, sharing God’s Love and singing His praises, and it reminds us Jesus is coming again.
Things to do this week:
· Share God’s Love with smiles and deeds of kindness
· Go Christmas caroling
· Decorate the Christmas tree
· Prepare pans of goodies for lonely or aged
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22nd Day of Advent
Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10
Thank you that you included “all” people – the whole world, Gentiles, . . . even me. Isaac Watts wrote “Joy to the World” as he studied Psalm 98. It was set to the music of the devout musical genius Handel. Read Psalm 98 today.
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23rd Day of Advent
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor; that ye through His poverty might be rich. 2 Cor 8:9
Jesus temporarily laid aside his kingly robes when he came to earth to live a peasant’s life. And he did it all for our benefit! We and our salvation would the joy that was set before Him when He endured the cross.
“Come, Thou Almighty King,
Help us thy Name to sing.”
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24th Day of Advent
. . . And they shall call His name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matt. 1:23b
Jesus set His own seal on these words, when He said, “Lo, I am with you always.” Since He added “unto the end of the age” we too can claim Him as our ever-present Immanuel.
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25th Day of Advent
Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Wise Men Still Seek Him
The Wise Men even separated themselves from
their own country that they might see Christ.
Leave the pomp of the world and hasten to
Bethlehem. Only let your coming be to honor
and adore . . .not spurn Him.
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Christmas Eve
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ, the Lord. Luke 2:11
This is a wonderfully simple birth announcement. To Christians, Christmas means “Christ with us”
And so I love each Christmas Eve
And I love Jesus, too;
And that He loves me every day
I know so well is true.
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First Day of Christmas
Christmas Day
For God so loved __________ that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Put your name in the blank.
What is my deepest desire? Might it be Life? Eternal Life. Abundant life. Yes. Life that knows LOVE . . . LOVE given, LOVE returned, . . . and Peace with God
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Second Day of Christmas
. . . .For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him. Matthew 2:2b
The Wise Men could say, “We, being wise, worshiped Him, then left to walk a different way.” When you and I kneel before Him, we too will arise to walk a different way – His Way.
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Third Day of Christmas
And when they (the Wise Men) had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11b
The Wise Men brought gifts fit for a King. What gifts are you giving your Father this Christmas? First, you and I are the only acceptable gifts to God this Christmas. Then He wants our delight in Him, not our duty to Him, to motivate us to give our best.
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Fourth Day of Christmas
When Herod, the king, had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3
How will you respond to Jesus? You have a choice – you can ignore Him or embrace Him. But you cannot avoid Him! Choose to know Him, serve Him, and keep His commands, or face the consequences of the other choice.
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Fifth Day of Christmas
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men. Luke 2:14
For a few glorious minutes the heavens rang with the magnificent chorus of the angels, rejoicing that the Savior had come who would bring mankind peace with God.
Thank you, Jesus for this wonderful peace.
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Sixth Day of Christmas
For He that is mighty hath done great things and holy is His name. Luke 1:49
Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55 was about how great God is. Today let’s consider His attributes. Your faith is as great as you think your God is.
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Seventh Day of Christmas
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1
Some one near you is in the dark about the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. You hold the key to dispel that darkness. Show a friend the solution today.
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Eighth Day of Christmas
“I am the ALPHA and the OMEGA,” says the Lord God, Who is and Who was and Who is to come – the Almighty. Revelation 1:8
The Lord Jesus is the Prelude and the Postlude – the one who will be when all else has ceased to be.
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Ninth Day of Christmas
Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever. Hebrews 1:8
Jesus’ coming was God shining through into our dark world. The brightness of His glory we cannot conceive, but we caught a glimpse when He came veiled in human flesh.
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Tenth Day of Christmas
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10
Today rejoice in your salvation. Bow before Him and adore Him. “My soul, extol, God’s great favor, bless Him ever, For salvation; Give Him praise and adoration.”
Birgitte Cathrine Boye
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Eleventh Day of Christmas
Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy Word.” Luke 1:38
Mary responded to the angel’s announcement by saying, “I belong to the Lord body and soul.” If God appeared to you and said He was going to use your life to reveal His glory, how would you respond?
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Twelfth Day of Christmas
Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 24:42
We are to be so occupied about His business that when He comes we shall neither be surprised nor unprepared.
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
