ΗΣΑΪΑΣ 65:17

Humans like comeback stories. We are eager to embrace the underdog. There's something in the human spirit that naturally draws us toward new things and cheers on underdogs. Join us in this Abide plan as we meditate on God's call to push into New Beginnings.

During Advent, we remember that Jesus is God’s Star, heralding God’s love and forgiving power to us. Each devotional in this series is for one of the Sundays leading up to Christmas. The fifth, and final devotional, is for Christmas Day. Use these short reflections around a meal table, or on your own. More than anything, lift your eyes to God’s Star –Jesus – as your Hope this season.

Advent serves as a season of both reflection and anticipation. Though the traditional Advent season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, this 5-day plan can be done over any five days during the Christmas season. We’ll dive into various Scriptures, each corresponding to spiritual themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. These themes deepen our understanding of how we are called to await the coming of the Lord.

Advent invites us to remember both Jesus’ first coming and to live expectantly for His return. Biblical hope is rooted not in circumstances but in the unchanging promises of God. Let's examine where our hope is fixed, to eliminate hopelessness by focusing our eyes on Jesus, and to live differently because we trust the One who is coming again. Christ is our anchor, our expectation, and the object of our hope – what a beautiful reminder of why we celebrate his birth.