Seeds of Hope: Advent 2020

Hello Friends!

There have been many upheavals and changes in our lives since I last posted, both in our home and in our nation. But here I am, Advent 2020, searching for the anticipation, wonder and joy of Christmas. I imagine we are not so different. Circumstances differ, but we all come to the end of this year desperately seeking hope.

In search of hope I spent the last two weeks scouring the Bible, Genesis through Revelations, to find verses of Jesus’ coming. I desired an anchor for Advent 2020. And God’s word never disappoints.

What follows is God’s gift to me. I offer it to you. This reading plan is gathered with young mothers in mind, nursing nights and tired mornings and quiet interrupted and reheated coffee. I did not set out to create an Advent reading plan, I simply needed these words for myself. Also, you will not find commentary on the verses I gathered. I want this is to be a moment between you and God, and I pray twinkling lights and cozy blankets pillowed around you.

At the end of each daily reading you will find a question. If you have time to journal, use these questions as a prompt to write a prayer. But if your reading is interrupted by small children, or the demands of the day, you can always play the verses from a phone app while you play blocks on the floor or finish changing a diaper.

I’m sending you love this Advent season, and trusting that as we plant God’s word in our hearts, He will bring forth a harvest.

Day 1, December 14: Genesis 3:1-15 (Underline offspring. Hebrew: seed)/ Romans 16:17-20 / Luke 10: 1-11, 17-20

In what ways do you participate in the work of God?

Day 2, December 15: Genesis 12:1-4, Genesis 22:1-19 / Galatians 3:16 / Acts 3:12-26

How have you known God’s blessing?

Day 3, December 16: Genesis 24 / Genesis 28:1-14

What image comes to mind when you read, “may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him?

Day 4, December 17: Genesis 49: 1-12 / Daniel 7: 13-14 / Philippians 2:1-11

In what ways have you seen God’s dominion displayed?

Day 5, December 18: Numbers 24:1-19 (Balak, King of Moab, sent for Balaam to curse the Israelite people, since they were too mighty for him. God restrained Balaam from cursing His people.) / Isaiah 60:1-3 / Revelations 22:16-21

Think of a star on a dark night. What do you love about star gazing?

Day 6, December 19: 2 Kings 15:37-16:5 / Isaiah 7:1-14

Immanuel means, “God with us.” Thank God for the ways He is Immanuel in your life.

Day 7, December 20: Isaiah 9:1-7 / Isaiah 11:1-10 / Jeremiah 23:1-6

Describe Jesus’ rule.

Come back here on Sunday, December 20th, for next week’s reading plan.