You're invited on a journey into Advent

Advent has come, which reminds us of Jesus’ first Advent on Christmas Day. You’re invited on a journey into Advent with me. Today, I am sharing the first entry from the He Has Come And Is Coming Advent Devotional as an encouragement to learn more. (I’ve added the link to the entire devotional below this post.)

It can be tempting to get sucked into the commercial side of Christmas. While there’s nothing wrong with decorations, lights, and celebrations, I hope you will dive deeper this year on a journey with me to explore the extended meaning of Advent.

Make Room – Day 1

Jesus was born more than two thousand years ago. Today we witness the world stopping to celebrate the birth of a Savior that most have yet to encounter. This could be our finest moment, our greatest opportunity, to introduce others to Jesus. Have we even thought of making room? Are we ready? Have we made room for Him and others while we fuss over decorating and gathering with loved ones? He has come, but He hopes to come, to be welcomed, for the first time in the hearts of millions, if not billions.

Prepare others

If past behavior is an indicator of what to expect from someone, we can expect Jesus to willingly enter into the humblest of rooms. He doesn’t care about decorations, fancy clothes, or if the choir sang perfectly. He’s looking for hearts that will make room for Him. This year, make room for Jesus. Prepare to celebrate by remembering His first coming. Then, prepare to look forward to His second coming. Finally, prepare others to welcome Him for the first time.

Why did He come? To save us, to open blind eyes and deaf ears. He came to help the lame walk and put songs in the mouths of those who couldn’t speak. In other words, He came to bring hope where there was none. Do you need to make room for Him? Can you help others make room?

This year, I hope this Advent season will be one of great joy but also a time where we make room for Jesus. He has come and He is coming again. This is our hope, our joy; let’s help the world to understand the wonder of God’s great love for them. Is not this what Christmas is all about?

A little extra:

Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10 ESV

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart,

‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”