2018 Advent Readings

December 2

Hope

The word hope means to look forward with confidence or expectation. For many people, December is a time when hope is renewed, remembered and realized. The Bible tells us that the people of Israel knew that that the Messiah would come to free them from their captivity and this gave them great hope. The Bible says in Psalm 130:7

Psalm 130:7 NIV84

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

Psalm 130:

Charles Wesley took this idea and penned it as one of most beloved Christmas Carols.

Amazing Grace—366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions 3. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us: Let us find our rest in Thee; Israel’s Strength and Consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear Desire of ev’ry nation, joy of ev’ry longing heart.

Even now, as we celebrate in 2018 this Advent Season, we celebrate the hope we have in Jesus who was born to set us free and to give us full redemption as we light the first candle representing Hope.

Prayer:

Lord of Hope and Unfailing Love, we celebrate your goodness and your grace and thank you for the gift of Jesus that was born to set thy people free. Help us this Advent Season to keep our Hope in you and you alone!

In Jesus’ Name We Pray, Amen.

December 9

Love

Isaiah 16:5 NIV84

In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Isaiah

Today we relight the first candle representing Hope and light the second candle that represents Love. It is because of LOVE that we have been given the gift of the Messiah. Prophesied hundreds of years prior His coming, God’s Son came because of love, He lived because of Love, and He reigns because of Love. It is because of Love that we can celebrate this season.

Peace

Prayer:

Today we relight the candle of Hope and light the candle of Peace. The Old Testament Prophet Micah declared the coming Messiah would be our peace.

says,

Micah 5:4–5 NIV84

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your Love. Thank you that you love us so much that you came into this world to save us. Help us Lord to be the light of your love this season!

Micah 5:4-5

Someone once said that a good acrostic for PEACE could be People Encouraged And Christ Exalted. That ought to be our prayer this Christmas Season as we celebrate the gift of Jesus.

In the Amazing Love of Christ We Pray, Amen.

Prayer:

Thank you Lord that you give us Peace. Thank you that in our church, People can be encouraged and Christ will be exalted during this season and all seasons.

In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

December 16

Joy

Today we relight the candles representing Hope and Peace, and light the third candle representing Joy.

Psalm 98:4 NIV84

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;

The birth of a child is a day of great joy. When that child is the long awaited Messiah, the One in Whom we can find the forgiveness of sin and the restoration of our souls, we need to shout just like the beautiful Christmas Carol, “Joy to the World!” May our hearts ever be filled with Joy because of our Savior’s coming!

Prayer:

Father thank You for the Joy of Jesus! Help us in this season of hustle and bustle to share the Good News of great joy!

In Jesus’ Name we pray, amen.

December 23

Love

Isaiah 16:5 NIV84

In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Today we relight the first candle representing Hope, the second candle that represents Peace, the third candle that represents Joy and light the fourth candle that represents Love. It is because of LOVE that we have been given the gift of the Messiah. Prophesied hundreds of years prior His coming, God’s Son came because of love, He lived because of Love, and He reigns because of Love. It is because of Love that we can celebrate this season.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your Love. Thank you that you love us so much that you came into this world to save us. Help us Lord to be the light of your love this season!

In the Amazing Love of Christ We Pray, Amen.

December 24

Christ

NIV84

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Today we light all four candles in our Advent Wreath. We are reminded of the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love we have through the Christ child. Now we light the Christ Candle, in the center of our wreath as we rejoice that the promise of God has been fulfilled in the coming of the Baby born in a manger.

Prayer:

Gracious and Mighty King, You came to this world in order that we might have life and have it abundantly. As Your love has been revealed in all of its fullness, we pray that love may abound on this Christmas Eve in our hearts. Grant us the Spirit of Christ that we may live in the fullness of His Love every day!

In the Name Above All Names We Pray, Amen.