Welcome to the First week of Advent!
As we continue to approach the day that marks the advent of Christ, we want to press into that sense of longing, of expectation, together as a church family. Each week, leading up to the sermon, we'll be publishing a simple reading plan for Sunday-Friday to build anticipation and understanding together, and we would love for you to join us.
We also encourage you to press in deeper to the themes found in the passages below by checking out the Bible Project videos to go along with the books mentioned below. You can find those HERE.
Sunday, November 29th
Matthew 1:18-25*
Monday, November 30th
Exodus 1:1-2:25
Tuesday, December 1st
Exodus 3:1–4:31
Wednesday, December 2nd
Exodus 13:17–14:31
Thursday, December 3rd
Exodus 15:1–21; Isaiah 11:1-9; 12:1-6
Friday, December 4th
Hosea 11:1-11; Micah 5:1-15 OR: Jeremiah 30:1-31:40
HOPE Advent reading from Sunday, November 29th:
Advent is a word that means “coming”, and in the Christian season of Advent, we prepare for the “advent” of Christ at Christmas. Today we remember the hope that the prophets foretold, Israel’s hope for the coming of God’s Messiah to save, to forgive, and to restore. We remember that in Christ, the infinite became finite, the holiest of holies, the sovereign light of the world and the one in whom the fullness of deity dwells, took on flesh and came as a helpless babe.
We remember our need for a Savior to save us from our sins, and our hope for the second coming of Jesus to restore all things. We remember that as we press forward in our world of struggles and hardship, we can anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ, who is the source of our true and ultimate hope now and forever.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. (Psalm 130:5) The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23) “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them the light has shined. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans15:13)
Merciful God, who sent the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation, as we begin this Advent season, shine the light of your hope into our hearts and into our world, give us grace to heed the words of our savior and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
You can also check out The Bible Project's video on the theme of HOPE in Advent HERE.