Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

Advent is a cherished four-week season in the Church calendar dedicated to reflecting on the arrival—or “advent”—of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah and King. This time invites believers to prepare their hearts for His coming, both in remembrance of His birth in Bethlehem and in anticipation of His return.

History of Advent – The word “Advent” comes from the Latin “Adventus,” meaning “arrival.” Advent is all about the coming of God’s presence among us—God with us. For centuries, Christians from diverse traditions and generations have set aside the four weeks leading up to Christmas as a meaningful season of reflection, celebration, and anticipation. While modern traditions, like Advent calendars, have become popular thanks to innovations like Cadbury’s first chocolate Advent calendar in 1958, the season itself has far deeper spiritual roots.

Advent reminds us not only of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises but also of the transformative hope found in Christ, making it a profound time of spiritual renewal and celebration.

Celebration – In celebration, we remember the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God sent the Messiah to rescue humanity from sin. In response to our cries, God answered by arriving in flesh and blood—living and breathing among us. Advent is a time to rejoice in the joy of knowing that God came for us and is still with us—right here, right now.

Anticipation – Advent is not just a celebration of what has already happened; it is also a time to live in anticipation of what will happen again. Jesus is coming back. His first coming brought the Kingdom of God into the present through His incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Because of Jesus’ work, the powers of sin and death have been defeated, and we are invited to walk in new, abundant life. However, we also live in the “now but not yet” of Jesus’ kingdom, recognizing that our world is not yet as it will one day be when our good King returns.

Advent allows us to be honest about the brokenness of our world while celebrating the good news: King Jesus has come, and King Jesus will come again!

Journey Together – This year, at Generations United, we will journey together through this devotional to celebrate the “now” of Jesus’ arrival—the fulfillment of God’s promise—and to eagerly anticipate the “not yet” of His glorious return. May this season be one of spiritual renewal, joy, and hope as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.

How to Use This Guide

P A R T I C I P A T I O N

Beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, the season of Advent invites us into a journey of celebration, anticipation, and renewal.

Each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve highlights a profound theme—hope, peace, joy, and love—offering a chance to align our hearts with the miracle of Christ’s coming.

If celebrating Advent is a new experience for you, don’t worry; this guide will help you create a meaningful rhythm each day, focusing on three powerful steps:

1. Read the daily Scripture and devotional, letting God’s Word speak directly to your heart.
2. Reflect deeply on what the Lord is saying to you, inviting His truth to take root in your life.
3. Apply what you’ve read and what God has spoken to your heart in a tangible way.
4. Pray with gratitude, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you during this season.

For centuries, Christians have marked Advent with the lighting of candles—a tradition rich in symbolism and beauty.

You might consider lighting a candle during your devotional time, adding one each week until all four glow brightly by Christmas Eve.

But remember: the heart of Advent isn’t about candles or rituals; it’s about creating sacred space to prepare for Christ’s arrival.

Jesus invites us with these words:

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

This Advent, the door to encountering God is wide open. The Savior has already come—will you make room in your heart to welcome Him?

He’s knocking. He’s waiting. Let this season be the one where you fully open the door.

Week One: HOPE Realized

Hope is a central theme of the Advent season because it reminds us of the anticipation and expectation that God’s promises will be fulfilled. Advent, which means “coming” or “arrival,” is a time when believers reflect on both the first coming of Jesus as a baby in Bethlehem and His promised return as King. Here’s why hope is so important during this season:

1. Hope Anchors Our Faith – Just as the Israelites waited in hope for the Messiah, we too wait in hope for Christ’s return. Hope keeps our faith strong, knowing that God is faithful to His promises (Hebrews 10:23).

• Hope Brings Light in Darkness – The world was spiritually dark before Jesus came, but His birth brought the light of salvation. Advent reminds us that even in the darkness of our struggles, God’s light shines through (John 1:5).

• Hope Fuels Expectation – Advent is a season of waiting, but not passive waiting—it’s a time of preparation and expectation, much like how the prophets spoke of the coming of Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7).

• Hope Sustains Us in Trials – Life brings hardships, but Advent teaches us that our hope is not in the circumstances but in Jesus, who overcame the world (John 16:33). His coming assures us that our future is secure.

• Hope Points Us to the Future – Advent doesn’t just celebrate Christ’s birth; it also directs our hearts toward His return. Our hope is not only in what He has done but in what He will do (Titus 2:13).

During Advent, we light the first candle of the Advent wreath, often referred to as the Hope Candle or the Prophet’s Candle, as a symbol of the hope that Christ brings. This hope isn’t wishful thinking—it’s a confident expectation that God’s promises will come to pass.

How do you personally experience hope during this Advent season?

Scriptures: Amos 1:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Luke 21:5-19

As we enter this season of Advent, our readings remind us to prepare for the Lord’s coming—not just as a baby in Bethlehem but also as the victorious King returning in glory. Amos 1:1-5 warns of God’s righteous judgment against sin, reminding us of His holiness and justice. Just as the nations faced consequences for their rebellion, we, too, are called to examine our hearts and turn from anything that separates us from Him. Advent is a time to realign our lives with God’s will, seeking His mercy and walking in His ways.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Paul urges believers to stay awake and alert, living as children of the light. We do not know the day or hour of Christ’s return, but we are called to be ready. This readiness involves more than just anticipation; it calls us to faith, love, and hope as we await His coming. Like a watchman waiting for dawn, we stay vigilant, encouraged by the promise of salvation through Christ.

Luke 21:5-19 reinforces this call to endurance. Jesus warns of trials and challenges, but He assures us that these are opportunities to bear witness to His name. Advent reminds us that while we wait, we are not alone—God is with us, equipping us with His Spirit to stand firm in faith.

Reflect: This Advent, let us watch and wait with hope, trusting in God’s promises and walking boldly as His children. The King is coming—prepare your hearts!

Prayer: Lord, as we await Your coming, awaken our hearts to Your holiness and fill us with hope. Help us walk as children of the light, boldly proclaiming Your name. Prepare us to receive You with joy, now and forever. Amen.

Free Advent Devotional in PDF: https://clr.cm/DKcr