A Devotional Prayer about Advent

Key Verse to Read and Treasure

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem—Luke 2:1-4 (ESV)  

Lord Jesus,

There’s a comfort in observing rituals of faith in our own journey today. Seasons and times that help us shape our theologies and purpose.

We are grateful that like Lent, Advent does not belong to any one group or denomination but is for anyone and everyone who are preparing their hearts for your coming.

Thank you for special times throughout the year that lend themselves and provide space to pause, to consider, to participate in activities that are older than time itself and have been around longer than any of us can track. Even those rituals as simple as choosing a Christmas tree, hanging lights, choosing, and hanging wreaths, that help us focus more on you and our special relationship with you, than on complications in government and politics. The small things that offer and provide a break from the everyday.

Savior, bless our lives, our ponderings, our anticipation, our rich and meaningful rituals that help us prepare internally and externally for your coming. Give us a right balance of joy and soberness as we realize it is because of our own sinfulness that you must come. Help us enjoy this Advent with an even deeper mindfulness than ever before.

We bless you, our loving, giving, forgiving, Savior as we begin our journey of Advent.

Advent Mindfulness Activity:

What are the rituals you observe as you prepare for Christmas? What comfort (peace, joy) do you get from them?  

Read Luke 2:1-7