Advent

Welcome to Advent!

Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2) as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. 


Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis, they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people.


Read through each day’s text and practice the centering prayer alongside it throughout the Advent season.

Centering Prayer

What is a Centering Prayer? 

Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us. By focusing and praying through a verse or phrase, it gives us an opportunity to listen to what God may want to say to us. Each week, try and spend 3-5 minutes a day praying through the verse or phrase below and actively listening to what God wants to say to you. If you can listen longer, do it! 


Week 1 (Hope) 

Phrase: “Lord , show me your hope in this world." 


Week 2 (Preparation) 

Verse: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) 


Week 3 (Joy) 

Verse: “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) 


Week 4 (Love) 

Phrase: “Lord God, show me today who needs to be loved.” 

Reading Plan

Week 1

Monday, December 4 - Isaiah 9:1-7 

Tuesday, December 5 - Isaiah 11:1-10Micah 5:2-6 

Wednesday, December 6 - Zechariah 9:9-13, Galatians 4:1-7

Thursday, December 7 - Luke 1:5-17 

Friday, December 8 - Luke 1:18-25 


Week 2

Monday, December 11 - Luke 1:26-38 

Tuesday, December 12 - Luke 1:39-45 

Wednesday, December 13 - Psalm 118:22-29, Philippians 4:2-9 

Thursday, December 14 - Romans 5:1-11 

Friday, December 15 -Psalm 30 


Week 3

Monday December 18 - Luke 1:46-56 

Tuesday December 19 - 1 John 4:11-20

Wednesday December 20 - Isaiah 7:10-16 

Thursday December 21 - Jeremiah 23:1-6

Friday December 22 - John 13:34-35Micah 5:1-4


Week 4

Christmas Day: Luke 2:1-20