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Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love

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Step 1 of 3

A light in the dark

Advent begins in the dark, with a promise of light.

Read

2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:2-7 King James Version
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Reflect

Isaiah spoke to people who felt lost in the dark. He promised a great light and a child who would bring peace that never ends. Christians see that promise come true in Jesus. Today you begin Advent by hoping in that light.

Advent is a season of waiting. For four weeks, Christians get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It begins on a dark note, and that is on purpose. Many of us know what darkness feels like.

Isaiah wrote to people in a hard time. Enemies were near. Hope was thin. Into that fear he spoke a promise. “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Then he tells where the light will come from. Not from an army. Not from a clever plan. It will come through a child. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Read those names slowly. No ordinary king could carry them. Isaiah adds that the peace this child brings will keep growing and never end.

This week's theme is hope. Hope is not pretending the dark is not there. It is trusting that the light is coming. Over the next four weeks, you will follow that promise all the way to Bethlehem.

Background

Isaiah lived about seven hundred years before Jesus. In his day, the land of Zebulun and Naphtali in the north was among the first places to fall to Assyria. Isaiah promised that this same land would see a great light. Matthew's Gospel says Jesus began his work there, in Galilee.

Where do you most need light this Advent?

More to think about

  • What darkness do you see in the world right now?
  • Which name given to the child speaks to you most?

Pray

God of light, you see the dark places in my life and in the world. As Advent begins, fill me with hope. Help me wait for you with trust, not fear. Lead me, one day at a time, toward the light of your Son. Amen.

In your tradition: Baptist

Many Baptist churches light the first candle of an Advent wreath today, the candle of hope. If you have one at home, light it as you read.

In your tradition: Catholic

Today is the First Sunday of Advent and the start of a new Church year. Many families light the first candle of the Advent wreath before a meal.

In your tradition: Lutheran

Lutherans often begin Advent singing "Savior of the Nations, Come," a hymn Luther translated. You may read its first verse as a prayer.

In your tradition: Methodist

Charles Wesley wrote "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" for Advent. Read or sing its first verse as you begin this season of hope.

In your tradition: Non-denominational

Set a small light where you read, like a candle or a lamp. Turn it on each day of Advent as a reminder of the light that is coming.

In your tradition: Orthodox

The Nativity Fast is already under way. As you read, you may pray, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me."

In your tradition: Pentecostal

Isaiah's promise is about God breaking into the darkness with power. Ask the Holy Spirit to shine on one dark place in your life today.

In your tradition: Reformed

Reformed churches read Isaiah's promises as kept in Christ the King. Thank God today that his kingdom will never end.

Practice

Write one sentence that begins with the words: This Advent, I hope for. Then write one dark place where you want to see God's light. Keep the page. You will read it again on the last day.

Finish

One word for today (optional)

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Step 2 of 3

A shoot from a stump

Today you see new life grow from something that looked finished.

Read

1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
Isaiah 11:1-10 King James Version
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Reflect

Isaiah pictures a tree cut down to a stump. Then a small green shoot grows from it. God's promise was not dead. From King David's family would come a king full of God's Spirit, who would bring justice and peace.

Picture a tree cut down to the ground. Only a stump is left. That is how Isaiah saw the royal family of David. Its glory was gone. Then he sees something small and green. “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots”.

Jesse was King David's father. Isaiah is saying that God is not done with that family. From it will come a new king, and the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him. “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD”.

This king will not judge by looks or rumors. He will be fair to the poor and the overlooked. Then Isaiah paints a picture of a world made new. Wolves and lambs live side by side. A child plays near a snake's den and is safe.

Some things in your life may feel like a stump. A hope, a friendship, or a faith that seems cut down. Advent says God can bring a shoot out of a stump. New life often starts small.

Background

Some families keep a Jesse tree during Advent. They hang a small picture on it each day, one for each Bible story that leads to Jesus. It takes its name from this passage. The New Testament calls Jesus the son of David, from the family Isaiah said would grow again.

What in your life feels like a stump right now?

More to think about

  • Where have you seen something small grow into something good?
  • Which picture of peace in this passage do you long to see?

Pray

Lord, you bring life out of what looks dead. I bring you the places in my life that feel cut down. Let something new grow there. Rest your Spirit on me, so I can live with wisdom and kindness. Amen.

In your tradition: Baptist

Baptists often stress that Jesus is the promised son of David. Thank God that he keeps his word across many generations.

In your tradition: Catholic

Some Catholic families keep a Jesse tree during Advent. You might add a small sign of new life to a branch at home today, such as a green leaf.

In your tradition: Lutheran

Lutherans sing "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," a carol based on this passage. Read its first verse and think about new life from an old root.

In your tradition: Methodist

Wesley taught that God's grace keeps working in us. Like the shoot from the stump, ask God to grow something new in you this week.

In your tradition: Non-denominational

Draw a simple stump with one green shoot on a card. Write on the shoot one thing you are asking God to grow this Advent.

In your tradition: Orthodox

Orthodox hymns for the Nativity call Christ the rod from the root of Jesse. Pray, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me," and wait in hope.

In your tradition: Pentecostal

This passage describes the Holy Spirit resting on the coming king. Ask the Spirit to give you wisdom and courage today.

In your tradition: Reformed

Reformed teaching stresses that God keeps his covenant with David in Christ. Notice that this king draws people from every nation.

Practice

Take a short walk outside today. Look for one small sign of new growth, like a sprout, a bud, or a new leaf. When you see it, pray for the place in your own life that feels like a stump.

Finish

One word for today (optional)

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Step 3 of 3

Comfort for tired people

Today God speaks tender words to tired people.

Read

1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Isaiah 40:1-8 King James Version
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Reflect

Isaiah's people had suffered a long time. God's first word to them is comfort. Then a voice calls out to prepare a road for God. People fade like grass, but God's word lasts forever.

Some words are hard to hear. Others feel like a hand on your shoulder. Isaiah 40 begins with that second kind. “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.”

God's people had been through war and exile. Now God says it is time for comfort. He speaks tenderly, the way you would speak to someone you love.

Then a voice calls out. Build a road for God through the desert. Fill in the valleys. Level the hills. When kings traveled, people cleared the way. Here God himself is coming, and his people are to get ready.

The passage ends with a contrast. People are like grass. We grow, we bloom, and we fade. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” That is not bad news. It means you can rest on something that will not change. Today, let God speak comfort to you. Then ask what needs to be cleared to make room for him.

Background

All four Gospels connect the voice in the desert to John the Baptist, who got people ready for Jesus. Chapter 40 begins a new part of Isaiah. It speaks to God's people far from home in Babylon, and it promises that they will return.

What words of comfort do you need to hear from God today?

More to think about

  • What in your life feels like a rough road that needs to be made smooth?
  • What helps you trust words that last forever?

Pray

God of comfort, you speak tenderly to tired people. Speak to me today. Clear away what blocks the road between us. When I feel like grass that fades, help me rest on your word that stands forever. Amen.

In your tradition: Baptist

Baptists often point to John the Baptist as the voice in this passage. Read Mark 1:1-4 and see how the Gospel uses Isaiah's words.

In your tradition: Catholic

Part of this passage is read at Mass on the Second Sunday of Advent in Year B. You may ask God for comfort and pray an Our Father slowly.

In your tradition: Lutheran

Lutherans hear God's tender word here as the gospel itself: your sin is forgiven. Receive it today as a word spoken to you.

In your tradition: Methodist

Methodists value both comfort and a changed life. Ask God for comfort today, then ask him to show you one rough place to make smooth.

In your tradition: Non-denominational

Read the first verse aloud as if God were speaking it to you by name. Let it be a personal word from God to you today.

In your tradition: Orthodox

Orthodox Christians honor John the Baptist as the Forerunner, who prepared the way. You may pray, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me," as you read.

In your tradition: Pentecostal

Some Bibles call the Holy Spirit the Comforter. Ask the Spirit to bring God's comfort to the people on your list today.

In your tradition: Reformed

Reformed Christians love the promise that God's word stands forever. Thank God that his promises do not fade.

Practice

Make a short list of three people who need comfort this season. They may be grieving, sick, or lonely. Pray for each one by name. If you can, send one of them a kind word today.

Finish

One word for today (optional)

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