advent | Thoughts About God

It’s Almost Christmas!

Thoughts_About_God — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 08:06:21 +0000

In this final week of Advent, as we lead up to Christmas Day, how is your heart doing? Are you feeling at peace … or is pressure mounting in your home?

Take a moment to ponder the peace that the angels announced that first Christmas. “Peace on Earth, good will toward men”.

This morning I read a verse in Ephesians 2:14 that says “He Himself is our peace”.

That first Christmas God sent His Son, Jesus, in human baby form, to reach out in love to connect humans to Himself … and we celebrate His birth. The journey comes full circle when we come to Easter and observe the death of Jesus as He took the punishment upon Himself for mankind’s willful independence apart from God. We celebrate His resurrection as He rose again from that death and took His place with the Father … leaving those who believe in His birth and death and resurrection with the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit as the Divine comfort and power within to live as a testimony to His love and power.

“He Himself is our peace”. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh today with the Peace that is His presence in our lives, filling us with purpose, peace, and a passion for life!

Is His peace the piece you are missing this Christmas?

by Gail Rodgers
used by permission

What is Advent?

Devotionals — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 08:03:07 +0000

One of my fondest childhood memories of the Christmas season is the Advent calendars my brother and I would receive every year. If you’re unfamiliar with this tradition, the particular version my family enjoyed consisted of a nearly flat decorated cardboard box, with tiny doors on it, numbered from 1 to 24 representing the days leading up to Christmas Eve.

Every day we would open one of the cardboard doors and behind each one we’d find a tiny chocolate. Every one of the chocolates was uniquely molded in a Christmas related shape. It was a fun diversion for us as kids as we impatiently awaited the arrival of Christmas day. But it doesn’t tell us much about the actual season of Advent. What is Advent?

The season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, somewhere between November 27 and December 3, depending on the year. Advent is the period leading up to Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus Christ. It is unknown when this tradition first began, but this period of waiting is often seen in the Christian tradition as a reminder that the world remains waiting for Jesus’ return.

The traditional color of Advent is purple, the color often associated with royalty, although today blue and red are also used. Modern day celebrations of Advent include Advent calendars, Advent wreaths, lighting special Advent candles, and a series of themed Sunday messages leading up to Christmas day.

God’s blessing to you as we prepare to celebrate our Savior, Jesus’ birth.

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Advent

Devotionals — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 08:03:23 +0000

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given… And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

The countdown to Christmas comes in a variety of choices. Disney, Star Wars, any number of entertainment figures are available for your countdown preparation, and with chocolate too!

Yet the real meaning of Advent often gets overlooked amidst the chocolate and calendars. Advent invites us to remember the first coming of Christ, as a Baby in Bethlehem. It also draws us to anticipate the second coming of Christ in the future. The traditional Advent Wreath represents the unending love of God.

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for Christmas. It’s a wonderful tradition that moves us beyond the tinsel to remember what is truly important. It helps us make room for Jesus in our lives that often have “no room in the inn”. The candles in the Advent wreath represent the HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE Jesus brings.

Each of the four Advent meditations help us move from the distractions of the season to create that room in our hearts and minds to pause and consider where our faith is today. The fifth candle for Christmas Day symbolizes Christ Himself.

Advent is a gift. It quiets our hearts and draws us to the One who invites us to walk with Him everyday. He awaits to transform our lives. Let this Advent Season draw you to pause and consider Jesus and all He offers you this Christmas.

Heavenly Father, I know my life is busy and I often rush right on past You. Forgive me. Please use this Advent season to refresh my journey with You and to focus on what Jesus offers to me daily. Help me to see what is truly important in this special season. Amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

In Preparation and Waiting

Devotionals — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 09:02:52 +0000

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23 (NLT)

Advent marks the season of preparation and waiting. In a sense, it is our taking part in the pregnancy of the Christ child, carrying our part of His story. We prepare our hearts to receive Him; for Him to be born into our humble and broken lives.

It struck me today that as we prepare for Christmas, our hearts focused on the birth of our Savior, in a greater sense we are also participating in a kind of Advent season every other day of the year. Whether it’s Christmas season or not, we are preparing for the return of Christ. We are preparing our hearts for Jesus to come again. Our world is pregnant with His return.

Reflect:

Is your heart ready to receive Him at this time in history?

Where are you making room for Christ this season?

Prayer:

Come, Lord Jesus, come … Help me prepare my heart as a welcoming place that receives You today and every day to come.

By Idelette McVicker
Used by Permission