Advent

Depending on your tradition, Advent may not be a season you’re quite familiar with. Maybe you’ve heard the term thrown around, or perhaps you’ve even been in Sunday services where Advent candles have been lit. But what is it exactly? And how can it become a meaningful tradition in our lives?

Advent begins with remembering God’s faithfulness. For hundreds of years, God promised a Messiah. He fulfilled His promise more than 2000 years ago through the birth of our King and Savior, Jesus. Jesus’ birth was the beginning of a new era.

As we remember God’s faithfulness through the birth of Jesus, we might begin remembering other ways that God has shown His faithfulness to us in our daily lives.

He is faithful to provide our daily bread.
He is faithful to extend grace and forgiveness.
He is faithful to be present with us through difficult times.

During Advent, we remember Christ’s presence with us here and now, and we’re encouraged to reflect on how that affects the way we live.
In addition to remembering God’s faithfulness and preparing our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, Advent also anticipates Jesus’ promised return, when He will make all things whole.

Struggle is a common thread that’s woven through the human experience. Anxiety and depression plague us. We suffer from loneliness, heartache, and grief. Many of us carry around deeply held hopes and desires, and we’re not quite sure if they will ever be realized.

During Advent we acknowledge the tension we live in– Jesus has already come and destroyed the power of death and sin, yet we are still waiting for His return to make all things new. But our waiting is not aimless! In the midst of life’s struggles, we wait with hope and expectancy.

Weeks of Advent

Reading Plan

Youversion

Printable Plan