A
ngels appear in many stories in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Angels witnessed creation (Job 38:7), served as God’s messengers (Judges 6:11-24), attended to Jesus in the wilderness (Mark 1:13) and on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:43), were present at the resurrection (Luke 24:4-7) and ascension (Acts 1:9-11), and guided the early apostles including Philip (Acts 8:26), Cornelius (Acts 10:3-8), Peter (Acts 12:6-11), and Paul (Acts 27:21-26). Angels are most widely known, however, for their role in the Christmas story. Appearing to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, the angels proclaimed words of hope, peace, joy, and love. During Advent we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child in Bethlehem and for the rebirth of Jesus in our lives. During this season, we are busily preparing our homes for Christmas and can easily overlook the importance of preparing our hearts for the coming Savior. This devotional guide is designed to help you focus your heart and mind on the words of the angels and the gifts their announcements bring. Each week begins with an account from the Bible of heaven reaching down to earth as the angels announce the unfolding Christmas story to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. Reflect on these stories and think about what the angel’s words meant to the people to whom they were spoken and the meaning they have for you today. The themes of the daily readings correspond to the candles of the Advent wreath. Read each scripture and, using the prayer focus, spend time meditating and praying for your heart and mind to be opened to the gifts of Christmas – hope, peace, joy, and love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
Advent
Will you use this season to prepare your heart to receive the gift of the Christ Child?
The Angel Appears to
Zechariah
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur." Luke 1:5-20
The First Week of Advent:
THE CANDLE OF
Hope
A CANDLE IS BURNING
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright, a candle of hope in December’s dark night. While angels sing blessings from heaven’s starry sky, our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
Daily Readings Sunday, November 30 Read: Isaiah 40:1-5 Prayer Focus: In today’s reading, God instructs his angels to speak a message of comfort and hope to His people in exile in Babylon. Even though most of us have never been in exile in a foreign land, we sometimes feel alone and isolated. Ask God to speak a word of comfort and hope to you today and shine His light in the dark areas of your life. Monday, December 1 Read: Isaiah 40:28-31 Prayer Focus: During the Christmas season, we often become tired and weary, sometimes to the point of exhaustion, from participating in nonstop holiday activities. We are busy shopping, attending parties, baking cookies, and decorating. While there is nothing inherently wrong with these activities, Advent calls us to a better way – to sit at the feet of Jesus as Mary did while her sister, Martha, worked. Pray for God to help you “wait for the Lord” (translated “put your hope in the Lord” in the NIV) and strengthen your resolve to seek the better way this Advent season by making communion with Him your first priority.
Tuesday, December 2 Read: Psalm 33:13-22 Prayer Focus: Where do you find hope? We live in a culture that encourages us to put our hope in power, prestige, and wealth, but today’s reading reminds us that putting our hope in these things is vain. Our true hope is found in God and God alone. Invite God to reveal to you the false gods and earthly treasures in which you put your hope and help you hope and trust more fully in Him. Wednesday, December 3 Read: Jeremiah 29:10-14 Prayer Focus: God has a plan and “a future with hope” for you! He reveals His plans when we seek Him with all our hearts. Call upon God to bless your efforts to seek Him and help you discover His plan for your life. Look to Him to fill you with hope as you anticipate the future He has planned especially for you. Thursday, December 4 Read: Romans 5:1-8 Prayer Focus: From a human standpoint, we expect optimism and hope to spring from a trouble-free life. However, in today’s reading, we find the opposite. Paul tells us that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope”. Ask God to use the suffering and disappointments of today to lead you toward hope for tomorrow. Friday, December 5 Read: I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Prayer Focus: In this season of “Joy to the World” and “Jingle Bells,” some people find themselves grieving instead of feeling merry. Whether it is the death of a loved one, the world in turmoil, or the loss of a dream, today’s reading teaches us that grief is a part of the human experience. However, as Christians we grieve differently than the rest of the world; we grieve with hope. Turn to God and walk with Him through your grief, trusting Him to help you find the hope only He can give.
Saturday, December 6 Read: John 14:1-6 Prayer Focus: Heaven is ultimate hope of all Christians. Through God’s gifts of grace and mercy, we, who deserve only hell, are given heaven. The word “hope” is not found in today’s reading, yet it is a passage filled with hope as we receive Jesus’ promise that we will be with Him one day. Call upon God to fill your heart with the hope of heaven knowing that regardless of what this life brings your way, God is preparing you for an eternity of joy in His presence. NOTES:
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