Advent Archives - Heather J Jonsson

We are one week away from Christmas! How is every feeling?

Ready or not (and I tend to fall in the not ready category!), Christmas is right around the corner. But it also means that we will turning the pages of our Bibles to the New Testament and the well known Christmas story.

Since the birth of Jesus is a relatively well known story within the Bible, I encourage you to slow down. Read each word and don’t skim.

God’s word is a deep treasure trove. Even after years of reading the Christmas story, there are still more valuables and delights to be found.

So may you find God, our most valuable treasure, in the middle of His word this Advent.

Day 8, December 21: Malachi 3:13 – 4:6 / Luke 1:1-25

What prayers are you waiting on God to answer?

Day 9, December 22: Luke 1:26-80 / Matthew 1:18-25

What do you learn about God from these passages?

Day 10, December 23: Micah 5:2-5a / Luke 2:1-20

What would it have been like to be a Shepherd on the night of the Angel’s visit?

Day 11, December 24: Luke 2:21-38 / Matthew 2:1-23

What brings us joy, even in the midst of pain and chaos?

Day 12, December 25: Revelations 21:1 – 22:7

As we have felt the hope and anticipation of Christmas, what is our hope and anticipation every day of the year?

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.

Seeds of Hope: Advent 2020 Week Two

Seeds of Hope: Advent 2020

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