Advent Daily Devotional

DECEMBE R, 2008

Advent Devotional

©BrianSchwarberg2008

joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." 15When 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." 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:25-33 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about Him. Many of us on this Christmas Day will be awake at the crack of dawn and we won’t slow down until late in the evening. Pause today and read the story of Jesus’ birth. Stop and thank God for the greatest gift ever given—Jesus. Just as Mary and Joseph did in verse 33, marvel at the gift of Jesus, our Savior.

Christmas Day Thursday, December 25 Luke 1:26-38 26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end." 34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God." 38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Matthew 1:18-25 18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

What is Advent? Most of the time, as the Christmas season approaches, our schedules fill up rapidly with parties, shopping outings and other festivities to celebrate the holidays. Unfortunately, most of us lose focus as to the real meaning of the season. We do not do this maliciously, we just get busy, and other things become our priority. Each year as Christmas draws near, we hear the word Advent used. However, if you’re like me, you’ve never quite understood what the word fully meant, or how to observe the Advent season. Advent has been celebrated since the year 400, and marks the beginning of the Christmas season. The word “Advent” means arrival or coming in Latin, and represents the approach of Christ’s birth (and fulfillment of the prophecies about that event); and the awaiting of Christ’s second coming. It is composed of the four Sundays before Christmas Day, starting on November 30th. In Max Lucado’s book God Came Near, there is a short story titled “The Arrival”. It takes us through the environment of what it might have been like at the time of Christ’s birth, and shows how people weren’t intentionally neglecting the coming of the Messiah, they just weren’t preparing themselves for the arrival, and they missed it. Lucado then brings the story to the 21st century and closes the story with this powerful line, “Those who missed His majesty’s arrival that night missed it not because of evil acts or malice; no, they missed it because they simply weren’t looking. Little has changed in the last two thousand years has it?” Lucado’s words sting because we too have missed the real meaning of Christmas, and turned to secular materialism instead. I believe the remedy to recapturing the meaning of Christmas is by preparing ourselves daily and returning to the rich tradition of the church and observing Advent for the four weeks before Christmas. I pray this will help enrich your Christmas season this year, and help prepare your heart for the arrival of our Messiah, Jesus Christ. ~Pastor Brian Schwarberg

Luke 2:8-20 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great

How To Use This Devotional? The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some of the hectic busyness of the holiday season, and to quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. The Bible readings listed below relate to the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, light in the darkness, and the coming of the promised Messiah. In addition, there is a small paragraph providing guidance on issues to reflect on. I pray that as you use this devotional guide to prepare yourself for Christmas this year, you’ll find yourself looking to the manger, expectantly awaiting the celebration of the arrival of our Savior Jesus Christ. Let’s not miss Him this year!

Daily Scripture Readings for Advent First Week of Advent Sunday (11/30) Romans 13:11-14 Monday (12/1) Matthew 25:1-12 Tuesday (12/2) Mark 13:33-37 Wednesday (12/3) Jeremiah 33:14-16 Thursday (12/4) Isaiah 53:1-12 Friday (12/5) Isaiah 11:1-10 Saturday (12/6) Isaiah 2:1-5

Second Week of Advent Sunday (12/7) John 8:12; 12:46; Mt. 5:14-16 Monday (12/8) Psalm 27:1-4 Tuesday (12/9) John 12:35-36 Wednesday (12/10) Ephesians 5:6-14 Thursday 12/11) 1 Peter 2:5-9 Friday (12/12) John 3:16-21 Saturday 12/13) John 1:1-9

Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24 Luke 2:8-20 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." 15When 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." 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. The Greek word for glory is “doxa” and is used in the New Testament 165 times. The word glory means worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving; something that secures praise or renown; something marked by beauty or resplendence; and to rejoice proudly. Today, whether through song, spoken word, or action— give glory to God. Give Him worshipful praise, honor and thanksgiving. Rejoice proudly that the Savior of the world is coming.

house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end." 34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God." 38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Third Week of Advent

We have read this famous story many times. Today, reread this Scripture again, and underline something new that stands out to you.

Sunday (12/21) Luke 3:1-6 Monday (12/22) Luke 1:26-38 Tuesday (12/23) Matthew 1:18-25 Wednesday (12/24) Luke 2:8-20 Thursday (12/25) Luke 2:25-33

What does God want to say to you through this birth narrative that you may not have noticed before? Tuesday, December 23 Matthew 1:18-25 18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." Immanuel means “God with us.” It’s interesting that the last thing Jesus said to His disciples before He ascended into heaven was, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Do you realize that Jesus is always with us? How would you live differently if you really believed Jesus was always with you? This Advent season, celebrate the wonder of “with.”

Sunday (12/14) John 15:9-17 Monday (12/15) John 17:6-19 Tuesday (12/16) 1 John 1:4-7 Wednesday (12/17) Luke 22:15 Thursday (12/18) Zephaniah 3:14-17 Friday (12/19) Matthew 13:43-44 Saturday (12/20) Philippians 2:1-11

Fourth Week of Advent

First Week of Advent

Fourth Week of Advent

The theme of this first week of Advent is expectant hope, and usually has a focus on prophecy and the 2nd coming of Christ, not just His birth.

This fourth week of Advent focuses on the near arrival of The messiah.

Sunday, November 30 Romans 13:11-14 11And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Advent is a time of preparation. Is there anything you need to stop doing and confess that you have been doing in darkness? During these next four weeks how can you prepare yourself and your family each day to celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ? Monday, December 1 Matthew 25:1-12 1Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 10And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Sunday, December 21 Luke 3:1-6 1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. 5Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6And all mankind will see God's salvation.' " As you live as a follower of Jesus, are you preparing the way for Him? As you interact with family and friends are you making a path to Him? Can people see Jesus through you? Monday, December 22 Luke 1:26-38 26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, 33and He will reign over the

precious to you than anything else in life? In addition, God does give us other treasures in our life. What are the treasures in your life? As Christmas Day nears, thank God for the treasures in your life.

Did you know that Advent not only focuses on the Advent of Christ’s birth, but the awaiting of Christ’s Second Coming? Advent holds a tension between the already of Christ having come in the flesh and the not yet of the consummation of all things in Christ at the end of time.

Saturday, December 20 Philippians 2:1-11

What can you do during this Advent to prepare yourself and be ready for the second coming of Christ?

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Tuesday, December 2 Mark 13:33-37

Paul’s joy was made complete by seeing people increasingly grow into the likeness of Jesus. This great Christ Hymn, a song of the early church, gives us the ultimate example of selfless love—Jesus. Are you growing in the likeness of Christ this Advent? Would Paul’s joy be made complete by watching your life?

33Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' " In this parable, Jesus is the man going away and we are the servants put in charge, each with an assigned task. During Advent, we expectantly await the arrival of Christ on December 25th, but we also await “the owner” coming back. Are you living your life with an eternal perspective “watching” for the owner? Are you using your gifts to fulfill the task God has given you until His return? Wednesday, December 3 Jeremiah 33:14-16 14 'The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. 15 'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.' This is a Messianic text from the Old Testament. Jeremiah prophesied this 600 years before Christ’s birth. Did you realize that God’s plan from the beginning of the world included sending His Son Jesus Christ to save us? Take time today to thank God for His plan of salvation.

Thursday, December 4 Isaiah 53:1-12 1

Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?

2-6The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him. 7-9He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried, and he was led off— and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man, Even though he'd never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn't true. 10Still, it's what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life. And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.

Jesus told His disciples that He “eagerly desired to eat this final meal with them.” Can you believe Jesus desired to do this, knowing it would be His last meal? Take time today to thank Jesus for His willingness to go to the cross for us—and remember He did it with joy. Thursday, December 18 Zephaniah 3:14-17 14 Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." How does it make you feel to know that the Lord looks down on one of His children and rejoices over you with singing? Spend time in prayer today rejoicing with God for who He is and how He is working in your life. Friday, December 19 Matthew 13:43-44 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. 44The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. In this parable, the kingdom (Jesus) is the treasure that was priceless to the man. Is having a relationship with Jesus a priceless treasure that is more

the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

How do we have the full measure of joy within us this season.

11-12 Out of that terrible travail of soul, he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it. Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many "righteous ones," as he himself carries the burden of their sins. Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly— the best of everything, the highest honors— Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch, because he embraced the company of the lowest. He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many, he took up the cause of all the black sheep.

Tuesday, December 16 1 John 1:4-7

It may seem out of place to think about Jesus as the suffering Messiah at the same time we are celebrating His arrival as a baby. But we cannot separate the cradle and the cross.

This is Jesus’ final prayer in the Garden of Gethsemene before His arrest. What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “that they may have the full measure of joy within them?”

4We write this to make our joy complete. 5This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.

Incarnation and Atonement must always be brought together as two vital parts of the redemption tapestry.

Have you ever thought about light and what it does to an object? The closer an object is to a light source, the more illuminated it will be.

Friday, December 5 Isaiah 11:1-10

This is true of following Jesus as well. The closer we follow Him, the more illuminated we will be.

1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD 3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. 6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together,

How illuminated are you? Wednesday, December 17 Luke 22:14-10 14When the hour came, Jesus and His apostles reclined at the table. 15And He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." 17After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." 20In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Today, pause and thank God that He would send His one and only Son, knowing what His future would hold.

and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. 10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. Isaiah prophecied this Messianic text 800 years before the birth of Jesus. One of the names we now call Jesus is the Prince of Peace. After reading this prophecy, what does it mean to you that Jesus is the Prince of Peace? What does it mean for our world today? Saturday, December 6 Isaiah 2:1- 5 1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 5 Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD. Are you walking in the light of the Lord? Is there any relationship this season that you need to make right? Do you need to renew your relationship with God? Take time today to reflect on your relationship with God and others.

Third Week of Advent As we enter this third week of Advent, the theme turns to joy at the soon Advent of the Christ. Sunday, December 14 John 15:9-17 9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other. Jesus didn’t just come to save us for a place, but for a way of life. Jesus chose us and appointed us to bear fruit with our lives—fruit that will last. Is your life bearing fruit that will last? Monday, December 15 John 17:6-19 6I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. 12While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If you have not yet decided to believe in and follow Jesus, I’m thrilled you’re participating in this devotional. As you prepare for His arrival, maybe this is the day you put your trust in Christ. If so, you can pray this prayer, “Father, I know that I have broken Your laws and my sins have separated me from You. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward You. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.” If you are already a follower of Jesus, thank God that He loved us enough to send His Son, even when we didn’t deserve it. And spend time praying for those who do not yet know Jesus. Saturday, December 13 John 1:1-9 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. With less than 2 weeks to Christmas Day, do you need to take a break from the busyness of the season and refocus on what is at the heart of Christmas—that we are preparing ourselves to celebrate the light that is coming into the world.

Second Week of Advent The second week of Advent focuses on Jesus bringing light into this dark world. Sunday, December 7 John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 12:46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. Matthew 5:14-16 14You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world.” He also said, “you are the light of the world.” Are you allowing His light to shine through you this season? Monday, December 8 Psalms 27:1-4 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in his temple.

Thank God today for rescuing us from living in darkness. What does it mean to you to be a child of the light? How can you live as a child of the light this Advent season?

What does it mean to you that the Lord is your light and salvation? How does this affect the way you live?

5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For in Scripture it says:

Tuesday, December 9 John 12:35-36 35Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid Himself from them. Have you put your trust in the light? I mean, do you really trust the light? Many followers of Jesus struggle to trust Him fully and make Him the Lord of their life. Today, tell God about your fears, your doubts, and your struggles with trusting Him fully. Ask God to increase your trust and dependence on Him. Wednesday, December 10 Ephesians 5:6-14 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them. 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Thursday, December 11 1 Peter 2:5-9

"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame." 7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," 8and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Today, thank God for choosing you before the world even began. Reread verse 9, and as you prepare for Christmas, make a commitment to live as a chosen person; a person set apart belonging to God and declaring His praises. What might this look like in your life? What changes do you need to make? Friday, December 12 John 3:16-21 16For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 18Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."