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For much of Christian history, the Church has followed what is known as a liturgical calendar,which marks seasons of importance for the Church. The liturgical calendar year begins withAdvent, a season of preparation for the coming of the Messiah. Advent begins on the fourthSunday before Christmas, and ends on Christmas Eve. Following Advent are the traditionalTwelve Days of Christmas, which begins on Christmas Day and ends with Epiphany, celebratingthe arrival of the Magi on January 6.

The word advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “a coming, approach,arrival.” Adventus is a Latin translation of the Greek word parousia. Parousia means “presence,coming, arrival, advent,” and is used in the New Testament to refer to the second coming ofChrist. In light of this, Advent in the early church held a dual focus: a season of preparation for theMessiah coming to earth (the birth of Jesus) and a season of preparation for the second comingof the Messiah.

Each week of Advent has a special focus: hope, peace, joy, and love (some faith traditions orderthe weeks differently). The third week, joy, begins on what is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudetemeans “rejoice” in Latin. The traditional opening readings for this mass begin with the wordgaudete, which is where the Sunday receives its name.

In addition to the weekly themes, Advent observations include liturgical colors and candlelighting. In the Roman Catholic church, the liturgical color for vestments (clothing for priests) andcandles is purple, while other traditions have elected to use either purple or blue. However, thetraditional color for Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, is pink because rose is thetraditional color for joy. Advent wreaths are also used. Each wreath has four candles, three purpleor blue and one pink for the third Sunday, forming a circle in the wreath. A fifth white candle, theChrist candle, stands in the center of the wreath. During the first week of Advent, the first purpleor blue candle and the Christ candle are lit. Each week thereafter, a candle is added until the finalweek when all candles are lit.

The United Methodist Church notes that “the focus of Advent is on the Christian life right now inlight of the culmination of all things at Christ’s second coming.” This Advent season we hope youtake time to prepare yourself to celebrate the coming of the Messiah with the birth of Jesus,consider what His coming means for your life at present, and look forward to His coming onceagain, when He will set all things right and make all things new.

This Advent devotional is organized by the traditional weekly observances, beginning with hope.Each week begins with a definition of the theme word. Each day includes Scripture passages toread and meditate on, as well as a song to listen to. Choose a time to read the passages andlisten to the song each day. If you choose to use an Advent wreath, light the candles as you readand listen. Take time to position yourself at the feet of Christ and center your heart on Who He is

and all He has done for you. Prepare yourself to celebrate His coming this Christmas season.

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.

Hope means “to cherish a desire with anticipation,” or “to expect with confidence, trust.”

Sunday, November 28ScriptureIsaiah 9:2-7The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in theland of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoicedbefore you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. For you haveshattered their oppressive yokeand the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as you did on the day of Midian.For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for thefire. For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on hisshoulders. He will be namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast,and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, toestablish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of theLord of Armies will accomplish this.

John 1:1-5In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was withGod in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing wascreated that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shinesin the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.

SongO Come, O Come Immanuel

Monday, November 29ScriptureIsaiah 40:1-5“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and announce toher that her time of hard service is over, her iniquity has been pardoned, and she has receivedfrom the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of theLord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley will belifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth andthe rough places, a plain. And the glory of the Lord will appear, and all humanity together will seeit, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Micah 7:7But I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

SongSeasons, Hillsong

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.

Tuesday, November 30ScriptureLuke 1:46-55And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because hehas looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generationswill call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy.His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has done a mighty deedwith his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; he has toppledthe mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good thingsand sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy toAbraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors.

Titus 2:13...while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior,Jesus Christ

SongLight of the World, Lauren Daigle

Wednesday, December 1ScriptureIsaiah 11:1-10Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. TheSpirit of the Lord will rest on him— a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel andstrength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight will be in the fear of theLord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, he will not execute justice by what hehears with his ears, but he will judge the poor righteously and execute justice for the oppressedof the land. He will strike the land with a scepter from his mouth, and he will kill the wicked with acommand from his lips. Righteousness will be a belt around his hips; faithfulness will be a beltaround his waist. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat.The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf will be together, and a child will lead them. The cowand the bear will graze, their young ones will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw likecattle. An infant will play beside the cobra’s pit, and a toddler will put his hand into a snake’s den.They will not harm or destroy each other on my entire holy mountain, for the land will be as full ofthe knowledge of the Lord as the sea is filled with water. On that day the root of Jesse will standas a banner for the peoples. The nations will look to him for guidance, and his resting place willbe glorious.

Revelation 21:4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will beno more, because the previous things have passed away.

SongCome Thou Long Expected Jesus

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, December 2ScripturePsalm 130:7Israel, put your hope in the Lord. For there is faithful love with the Lord, and with him isredemption in abundance.

Isaiah 61:1-4The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to thepoor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedomto the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; tocomfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beautyinstead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. Andthey will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify him. They will rebuild the ancientruins; they will restore the former devastations; they will renew the ruined cities, the devastationsof many generations.

SongLiving Hope, Phil Wickham

Friday, December 3ScriptureRomans 8:24-25Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for whathe sees? Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

Romans 15:13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflowwith hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1:3-5Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has givenus new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into aninheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are beingguarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

SongPromises, Maverick City

Saturday, December 4ScriptureLuke 1

SongO Little Town of Bethlehem

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.

Peace means “freedom from war or violence,” “an absence of conflict,” or “to be complete &whole.” In the Old Testament, the word for peace is shalom. Shalom is “the webbing together of

God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight...Shalom means universalflourishing, wholeness and delight -- a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied andnatural gifts are fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator andSavior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is

the way things ought to be.”(Cornelius Plantinga, Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be)

Sunday, December 5ScripturePsalm 46:10 ESVHe says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted inthe earth!”

1 Corinthians 14:33...God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

SongGlory (Let There Be Peace), Matt Maher

Monday, December 6ScriptureIsaiah 54:10Though the mountains move and the hills shake, my love will not be removed from you and mycovenant of peace will not be shaken,” says your compassionate Lord.

Philippians 4:6-7Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving,present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, willguard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

SongI’ll Give Thanks, Housefires

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.

Tuesday, December 7ScriptureIsaiah 26:3-12You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you. Trust inthe Lord forever, because in the Lord, the Lord himself, is an everlasting rock! For he has humbledthose who live in lofty places— an inaccessible city. He brings it down; he brings it down to theground; he throws it to the dust. Feet trample it, the feet of the humble, the steps of the poor.Thepath of the righteous is level; you clear a straight path for the righteous. Yes, Lord, we wait for youin the path of your judgments. Our desire is for your name and renown. I long for you in the night;yes, my spirit within me diligently seeks you, for when your judgments are in the land, theinhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. But if the wicked man is shown favor, he doesnot learn righteousness. In a righteous land he acts unjustly and does not see the majesty of theLord. Lord, your hand is lifted up to take action, but they do not see it. Let them see your zeal foryour people and be put to shame. Let fire consume your adversaries. Lord, you will establishpeace for us, for you have also done all our work for us.

1 Peter 3:9-11...not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since youwere called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing. For the one who wants to love life and tosee good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, and let himturn away from evil and do what is good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.

SongIt is Well

Wednesday, December 8ScriptureIsaiah 52:7 NIVHow beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace,who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

John 16:33I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in thisworld. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

SongWhen I Think Upon Christmas, Hillsong

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, December 9ScripturePsalm 34:14Turn from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.

Matthew 11:28-30Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yokeand learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

SongPeace Has Come, Hillsong Worship

Friday, December 10ScriptureIsaiah 55:12You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided; the mountains and the hills will breakinto singing before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

John 14:27Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t letyour heart be troubled or fearful.

SongPeace Be Still, The Belonging Co

Saturday, December 11ScriptureLuke 2

SongSilent Night

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.

Joy means “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness” or “great delight.”

Sunday, December 12ScriptureIsaiah 12:6 NIVShout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

John 15:11I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

SongJoy to the World

Monday, December 13ScriptureZephaniah 3:17 NIVThe Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; inhis love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

John 16:24Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy maybe complete.

SongI Celebrate the Day, Relient K

Tuesday, December 14ScripturePsalm 118:24This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.

1 Peter 1:8-9Though you have not seen him, you love him;though not seeing him now, you believe in him, andyou rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith,the salvation of your souls.

SongJoyful, Joyful We Adore Thee/ Angels We Have Heard on High, Maverick City (feat. Majesty Rose)

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday, December 15ScriptureIsaiah 61:10I rejoice greatly in the Lord, I exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments ofsalvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a groom wears a turban and as a brideadorns herself with her jewels.

Phillipians 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

SongHark the Herald Angels Sing

Thursday, December 16ScriptureIsaiah 35:10And the ransomed of the Lord will return and come to Zion with singing, crowned with unendingjoy. Joy and gladness will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in ChristJesus.

SongMvmt II Begin and Never Cease, The Oh Hellos

Friday, December 17ScripturePsalm 16:11You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternalpleasures.

3 John 1:4I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.

SongO Holy Night

Saturday, December 18ScriptureMatthew 1-2

SongBorn is the King, Hillsong

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.

Love is “an intense feeling of affection.” It can mean “to hold dear,” “enthusiasm,” or “devotion.”One word used in the Bible to describe God’s love is chesed, which is means “unfailing love,”“covenantal love,” and “demonstrated loyalty that is expressed in actions rather than words.”

Sunday, December 19ScripturePsalm 86:15But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithfullove and truth.

Ephesians 3:17-19I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with allthe saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s lovethat surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

SongThe First Noel

Monday, December 20ScriptureJeremiah 31:3 NIVThe Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I havedrawn you with unfailing kindness.

1 John 4:16-19God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this,love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, becauseas he is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear,because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We lovebecause he first loved us.

SongAmazing Grace (My Chains are Gone), Chris Tomlin

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.

Tuesday, December 21ScriptureIsaiah 54:10“Though the mountains move and the hills shake, my love will not be removed from you and mycovenant of peace will not be shaken,” says your compassionate Lord.

Romans 8:37-39No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I ampersuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things tocome, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate usfrom the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

SongOh What Love, The City Harmonic

Wednesday, December 22ScriptureRomans 12:9-16Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply asbrothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. Do not lack diligence in zeal; befervent in the Spirit;[a]serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent inprayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you;bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live inharmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wisein your own estimation.

1 John 3:1 NIVSee what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! Andthat is what we are!

SongHow Deep the Father’s Love for Us, Stuart Townsend

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, December 23ScripturePsalm 36:7How priceless your faithful love is, God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

John 15:9As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faithso that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give away all mypossessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is notself-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy inunrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as fortongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.

SongHow Great is Your Love, Phil Wickham

Friday, December 24Scripture1 John 4:9-12This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that wemight live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Sonas an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to loveone another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his loveis made complete in us.

Jude 1:2 NIVMercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

SongWhat Mercy Did for Me, People and Songs

Saturday, December 25ScriptureJohn 1

SongO Come All Ye Faithful

All Scripture passages are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation, unless otherwise noted.