The Proof Is in the Manger – Advent Devotional With Andrea OlsonSample

Day 1: 1st Sunday of Advent

Scriptures for reading: Proverbs 13:12, Isaiah 9:6, 1 Peter 1:13, Romans 15:13

Devotional:

Has heaven heard the groanings of our hearts

Has heaven seen us stumble through the dark

When will Messiah make His arrival

And turn things upside down

Jesus come and save us from ourselves

Lyrics from “The Proof”

I have been thinking a lot lately about what it must have been like waiting for the Messiah. They had heard for generations about the coming Messiah. They were waiting for this One who would save them, rescue them. But they had been waiting, hurting, groaning, and stumbling for so many years. They needed a Savior. But they were able to hang on to one thing… Hope. They knew with absolute certainty that He would come. They had Hope in the promises that God had made generations before. Hope in the God who delivered them before. And hope that He would do it again.

Today, at the start of Advent, we pause to reflect on the Hope we have in Jesus and that He is coming back again. Maybe you find yourself in a place of doubt, especially with all the division and challenges around us. Perhaps you feel like you’re hurting, groaning, or stumbling and wondering if He sees you...if He is indeed coming again.

Waiting is hard. Can you relate? I know that I can. However, we have a powerful opportunity to thrive in our waiting. How? We must prepare while we wait. It is an active waiting. It looks like daily saturating ourselves in the Truth of Scripture, which has a cumulative impact on our future. And then, when we need to remember Hope, we have a reserve from which to draw.

Advent is an opportunity to practice active waiting. A chance to pause and reflect on the beauty and brevity of what God has done is doing and will do for us. It allows us to continually prepare our hearts to remain soft and open to Him.

Each day this week, I challenge you to return to this section and read the Scriptures linked here every day, whether alone or with your family. Let them wash over you and remind you of Truth. I also challenge you to try different translations each day. The Passion Translation, NIRV, and NLT are great companions to help us gain a greater understanding. As you reflect (alone or with your family), grab your journal, pray the prayer below and then listen. Write down what He speaks to you. As you prepare your heart for the coming weeks, may the Words of Truth in these scriptures remind you of the Hope we have in our Jesus.

Lord, thank you for the Hope that I have in Jesus. I know He is coming again, but sometimes I struggle with doubt in the waiting. Today I choose to prepare in the waiting actively. Help me to keep my heart open and soft towards you. As I pause here and declare your Truth, what do You want me to remember today?