a word of welcome

The season of Advent invites us to focus on the first coming of Jesus. This special season is a time of waiting, anticipation, and worship. At Advent, we celebrate what God did long ago – and we celebrate what God continues to do today.

Advent is a glorious time. For the next few weeks, we prepare our hearts for the arrival of Jesus, God’s Son. Yes, Jesus has already come; He was born in Bethlehem a long time ago. But in another way, we receive Him over and over again. In fact, receiving God’s gift of Jesus is the focus of Advent every year. Again this year, we can choose to receive Him – if we are prepared and ready.

Good preparation includes remembering. Good preparation includes telling and retelling the story. Good preparation involves listening and learning. Good preparation requires that we watch and wait. And good preparation also calls for confession and prayer and worship. This is a season set aside for the holy task of good preparation.

This Advent season, we are all invited to do what needs to be done – to spend time with God, to spend time in prayer, to spend time with His Word. Hopefully, these devotionals will help us. As we read and pray, let’s listen for the movement of God’s Spirit. Let’s watch and discern where God is at work in our lives. Let’s look for ways to share His grace with others. And having done all of that, we will indeed be ready for Christmas.

Each day, we will post a Bible reading and a devotional. We sincerely hope that these devotionals will be a source of joy and encouragement to you. May God fill you with His love and surround you with His grace!