Introduction: I submit this for consideration for home use during December.
Advent refers to the period of four weeks leading up to Christmas. It begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 and ends on December 24. Let’s discipline our minds this year to live with an anticipation of the second coming (Advent) of Christ, while at the same time, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25.
Advent has roots dating back to the third and fourth century AD. The best I can tell is that Advent began as a season when new converts would be baptized. By the 6th century AD, it was to align the heart of the Christian with the anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ. By the Middle Ages Advent was linked with Christmas to commemorate the incarnation of Christ, the first Advent, with the second Advent (return) of Christ.
Christians around the world have seen many changes to how Advent is observed. Historically I would take a type of hands-off approach to observing Advent. However, recently, I have become more open to using the Advent season to focus our attention on the return of Christ while commemorating His first coming.
We will begin Advent on December 1, with Christians around the world to attempt to honor Christ. I have asked John Martinez and David Thompson to share in the preaching over the next few weeks. Each of us addressing subjects related to Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
I have written short devotions for each week to help cause us to meditate on the word of God in our homes. You may already have an advent schedule planned, I’m thankful. Use this as a household devotion supplement instead. I’ve included questions to help generate thoughts about Christ. Adapt this to the ages of any children in the home. As always, I’m convinced children can think beautiful thoughts from the word of God.
May we never quit anticipating the return of Christ our glorious Savior.
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Question: What does the word Incarnation mean?
Answer: The word Incarnation means the act of being made flesh; Jesus took on human nature like ours.
(- Read John 1:14)
Monday, December 2, 2024
Read: “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. (Hebrews 9:27-28 NASB)
Can you identify the two “Advents” of Christ in this Scripture?
What did Christ do in the first “Advent”?
What will He do in the second “Advent”?
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
In his sermon, The Two Advents of Christ, Charles Spurgeon says, “The two comings of Christ have some degree of likeness”.
First, what are the differences between the first and second advent?
Second, what are the similarities between the first and second advent?
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Read Titus 2:11-14 (NASB)
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”
Like on Monday, can you identify the two “Advents” of Christ in this Scripture?
John Gill said before Christ appeared, “salvation was like a candle”. Now that the “grace of God who brings salvation has appeared to all,” this light is no longer like a candle, it is like the light of the sun.
Join others today at 2 PM, 5:30 PM, or 7 PM to pray for our church and our community in the Thanksgiving Room of Eastside Baptist Church. We will pray for the revival of God’s church and the conversion of sinners.
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Compare Titus 2:13-14 with 1 Peter 1:17-19
Titus 2:13-14
“…looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”
——-
1 Peter 1:17-19
“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”
What is the blessed hope in these Scriptures?
How should we conduct ourselves until He returns?
Friday, December 6, 2024
Sing or read the December “Fighter Song”, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Prepare for the Lord’s Day Gathering. Like looking forward to the 2nd Advent of Christ we should be prepared for the Lord’s Day every day. Building like he may not come for another 2,000 years and zealous for good deeds because we have inherited eternal life by the “precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”
The catechism question for Sunday, December 8, is…
Question: What does the name Immanuel mean?
Answer: The name Immanuel means “God with Us”.
– Matthew 1:23
There is a shared meal planned for Sunday, December 8. Plan something as a family to share with the brothers and sisters in Christ. Sit with a family you don’t usually sit with at the meal.
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Plan to attend at least three (if not all) of the following opportunities to gather with each other today.
9:15 AM: Sunday School
10:30 AM: Morning Worship
Noon: Shared Meal
5:30 PM: Evening gathering
