The holidays bring excitement and busyness, sweet moments and chaos, blessing and frustration. In the hustle, bustle, merry, and bright, we’re looking expectantly for perfect presents and serene gatherings. The reality often falls short of our expectations. And that’s why celebrating Advent is an important rhythm for our calendars. As you eagerly anticipate Christmas day, find moments to pause and rest in the story of God’s love. whoisgrace
Day 1
Scriptures: Psalms 103:8, Psalms 103
ABUNDANT LOVE
The word Advent means “coming.” At Christmas, we remember and celebrate the story of Jesus’ first coming, but we also look ahead with anticipation to the day when He will return at His second coming. This week, we’ll focus on the LOVE that the coming of Jesus brings.
The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. Psalm 103:8 NLT
Take a deep breath and pray Psalm 103:8 back to God- “Lord, You are compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.”
Take another breath and pray it again, inserting yourself- “The LORD is compassionate and merciful toward me, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.”
Take another slow, deep breath. Sit with your eyes closed and be still in the truth of God’s love for you.
Pause to Pray: Praise God for His love and talk to Him about whatever you are thinking and feeling as you sit with Him right now.
Take a Next Step: Take God’s love with you wherever you go! How might someone experience His love through you today?
Day 2
Scriptures: Psalms 36:5, Ephesians 3:18-19
RECEIVING THE LOVE OF GOD
Use this simple tool for 5-10 minutes of silence and solitude.
1- Take 10 deep breaths – with each inhale, pray silently “Jesus,” and on the exhale, pray, “You love me.”
2- Your mind might run wild, but spend the first few moments resting in God’s love.
3- Read Ephesians 3:18-19 multiple times. Read until certain words or phrases feel like they’re being ‘highlighted’ for you. Ask God what he might be saying to you.
4- Pray those impressions back to God. Try praying out loud, writing in a journal, or changing your physical posture (open hands or arms wide, kneel down, or lift your head).
Take a Next Step: Save a verse image for Ephesians 3:18-19 and share it with someone today. It is the reason for the season!
Day 3
Scriptures: Psalms 13:5-6, Psalms 89:1-4, Isaiah 16:5, John 3:16-17
HESED
In Hebrew, the word hesed is found throughout the Old Testament, often translated as lovingkindness, mercy, steadfast love, or loving devotion. It is hard to capture in just one word the overwhelming kindness of God toward His creation, specifically, the people He has lovingly, creatively, and uniquely made. The hesed of God is seen from start to finish, from Genesis to Revelation, in His grand story of redemption. The climax of that story is Jesus.
Ask Yourself:
-Try to define the hesed of God in words- what adjectives, phrases, metaphors, or images will you use?
-How have you seen, experienced, or felt the hesed of the Lord in your own life?
-How does Christmas highlight God’s hesed? In what way can you intentionally celebrate God’s love this Christmas season?
Pause to Pray: (ACTS method)
Adoration- Meditate on one aspect of God’s love.
Confession- Confess an area in which you take God’s love for granted.
Thanksgiving- Thank God for His faithfulness in a specific area of your life.
Supplication (Say what you need)- Ask God for help in expressing His love to others.
Day 4
Scriptures: Matthew 22:35-40, 1 John 3:16-18
GREATEST COMMANDMENT
Upon receiving the love of God, we must not hoard it for ourselves. Instead, we are commanded to reflect that love back to God with our entire being and reflect His love to others.
Use this simple tool to practice silence and solitude.
1- Take 5 deep breaths – with each inhale, pray silently “Jesus,” and on the exhale, pray, “You love me.”
2- Take 5 more deep breaths – this time, with each inhale, pray silently “Lord,” and on the exhale, pray, “I love You.”
3- Read Matthew 22:37-38 multiple times. Read until certain words or phrases feel like they’re being ‘highlighted’ for you. Ask God what he might be saying to you, and write down your impressions.
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (NIV)
4- Pray those impressions back to God using four forms of prayer:
Lord, I praise You…
Lord, forgive me…
Thank you, Lord…
Jesus, I need your help to love…
Take a Next Step: What does love for God and others look like in word and speech, in actions and truth? How can you show love this Christmas season?
Day 5
Scriptures: Psalms 23, Zephaniah 3:17, Romans 8:38-39
RESTING IN GOD’S LOVE
Lie: “I’m a mess. How could God love me?”
Truth: There is absolutely nothing I can do to earn God’s love.
Truth: Nothing and no one can take God’s love away from me.
Truth: God loved me yesterday. God loves me today. God will love me through all my tomorrows. No. matter. What.
Use this simple tool to practice silence and solitude:
1- Take 10 deep breaths and just sit in the presence of Father, Son, and Spirit, allowing His love to envelop you with stillness and security.
2 -Read Romans 8:38-39 multiple times. What is the Lord speaking to your heart?
3- Take time to write down and pray those impressions back to God.
Take a Next Step: Continue to make space for God during this Advent season. Look for Walking with Joy: An Advent Study and invite a friend to read along with you.