Advent Devotionals 2024 -
courtesy of the Salesian Missions
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Week One
Today we begin our journey of Advent. This week traditionally centers on hope … hope for the future, hope for health and happiness, and hope for a guiding light to show us the way.
Think about your life and reflect on those moments when you felt desperate and uncertain. What saw you through those times? Hope. Hope is a gift, something we can hold on to that will help us get through the rough patches of life and ultimately help us find joy.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Our belief in God is what gets us through those times when all we have left is to hope. Our belief is the light that shines on the path we must take to find our ultimate joy. As you light the first candle of Advent, ease your mind and think about what is important in your life. Light the candle, believe in the Lord, and follow the light of hope to guide you on your path.
This week’s action:
A fun and inexpensive way to get the kids, or grandkids, engaged in Advent is to help them create their own Advent wreath. All you need is a paper plate, scissors, five empty toilet paper rolls, crayons or markers, and pink, purple and white construction paper.Have the kids color the paper plate green (like a wreath), then wrap three of the toilet rolls in purple paper, one in pink paper, and one in white paper. Have the kids cut some flames out of the white paper, color them orange, which will be used to ‘light’ the candles each week of Advent. Tape one purple toilet roll to the ‘wreath’ and add the ‘flame’ to the top in celebration of the first week of Advent. Follow this same process, adding a new candle each Sunday during the next three weeks of Advent.
Sunday, December 1 – First Sunday of Advent
“Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me Your paths, guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my savior, and for You I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:4-5Monday, December 2
“… Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may instruct us in His ways, and we may walk in His paths ..." Isaiah 2:3Tuesday, December 3
“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:2Wednesday, December 4
“… He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness …” Psalm 23:2-3Thursday, December 5
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Matthew 7:21Friday, December 6
“On that day those who are deaf will hear words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of those who are blind will see. The afflicted also will increase their joy in the Lord …” Isaiah 29:18-19Saturday, December 7
“Then He will give you rain for your seed which you will sow in the ground, and bread from the yield of the ground, and it will be rich and plentiful; on that day your livestock will graze in a wide pasture.” Isaiah 30:23ADVENT PRAYER
Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God's own work for justice.
Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself.
Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's joy. I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love.
Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son.
I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.