According to Merriam-Webster:
Advent-
1: the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting
2 a: the coming of Christ at the IncarnationTo some, Advent is a foreign concept, or something done by the stuffy liturgical churches. But I believe, if understood properly, it can become a helpful tool to prepare ourselves for the joy and glory of Christmas - the true meaning of Christmas. That's a day for us to think on and rejoice in the first coming of Christ, providing salvation for mankind. There's two purposes of Advent: to remind us of Christ's first coming in Bethlehem and also to look ahead to His second coming. One thing that I think we miss in many Christmas celebrations is the watching and hoping for His second coming. The story is not done yet.
b: second coming (of Christ).
So many times in the past, I've been absorbed in my daily life for the weeks and days leading up to Christmas. We have to buy presents, plan family trips, get things done at work before taking off for vacation etc. Despite all the decorations, it's only on Dec 24 that I slow down enough to start thinking about the meaning of Christmas, but by that time, the Christmas I experience is only a shadow of what it could, or should be.
Last year I became interested in trying out this Advent idea. What I came up with isn't the best, but it works for me.
I looked and looked for a reading plan, but couldn't find anything that I felt would prepare me for Christmas celebration. Most were devotionals with good scripture, but they seemed to jump around without an obvious purpose. So being the non-conformist I am, I decided to try making something myself.
After reading about the purpose of Advent, I decided on a structured reading plan that would take me through, what I considered to be, all the essentials in my preparation and help me feel the Christmas story. It's broken into 4 weeks:
Week 1: Reminder of our sin problem. (Creation and Fall)
Week 2: God's promises of a Savior. Place myself in the shoes of the old testament Israel who were eagerly awaiting the coming savior. (Feel their hope and longing, as example for how we should hope for the second coming)
Week 3: Jesus' salvation and our redemption. Who Jesus said He was and what He claimed. (Fulfillment of the first promises)
Week 4: Jesus' second coming. (Hope and long for His future coming, as Israel awaited the first coming)
And of course I save the scripture on Jesus' conception and birth for Christmas Eve and Day, respectively.
I originally wanted it to be a family affair, but after trying that, I think it's better left for personal devotion. The Reading Plan is daily, but not all are critical so a few missed will be fine. However, the point I was after was to really saturate myself with these ideas, and dwell on these four basic ideas leading up to Christmas. It makes Christmas morning much more glorious. And without further ado, here's the reading plan:
Week 1
Day 1 - Gen 2:1-10, 2:15-25Week 2
Day 2 - Gen 3
Day 3 - Gen 6:1-13
Day 4 - Ps. 14, 58
Day 5 - Rom 1:18-32
Day 6 - Rom 7:7-24
Day 7 - Ps. 90, 51
Day 1 - Ps. 2Week 3
Day 2 - Isa 42:1-9, 13-25, 43:1
Day 3 - Jer 23:3-6
Day 4 - Jer 31:31-34
Day 5 - Isa 35:3-10
Day 6 - Isa 9:2-7
Day 7 - Isa 53
Day 1 - John 1:1-18Week 4
Day 2 - Matt 3:1-17
Day 3 - John 3:1-21
Day 4 - John 4:7-26
Day 5 - John 5:18-30
Day 6 - John 10:22-39
Day 7 - John 6:28-58
Day 1 - Matt 24:1-28Christmas Eve - Luke 1:26-38
Day 2 - Matt 24:29-51
Day 3 - John 14:1-31
Day 4 - 1 Thess 4:13-18, 5:1-11
Day 5 - Rev 19:5-8, 11-16, 19-21
Rev 7:9-17
Matt 1:18-25
Christmas Day - Luke 2:1-20
Matt 3:1-12
Prayer and music can also be added to the readings to fill out the time more completely.
In past Christmases we have used "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" edited by Guthrie. It is a series of readings by men like Boice, Piper, Sproul, and Edwards. Love it for the grown ups, but not much child appeal.
ReplyDeleteThis year we are trying "Jotham's Journey" by Ytreeide. It is a made up story to help prepare children for Christmas. I will let you know what I think.
I like the thoughts of preparing and looking forward to Christ's second coming and will talk with Ryan about how this could be incorporated in our family's traditions.
Thanks Christina. They both look great!
DeleteThis sounds great, Damian. A few years ago, I just took the readings for the 4 liturgical years and crammed them all into one year for Advent readings. A couple of years ago for Christmas I was given a small book of advent writings (now that I'm looking at the previous comment, it's the "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" by Guthrie) of which I've read a couple and intended to use last year. I may look at it along with your plan this year. I might do some of the readings with the boys, too.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get the readings? What liturgy?
DeleteI never heard of Advent until I was a seminary student in Fort Worth, Texas. We observed at Springdale Baptist Church where I was a member. I like your reading plan and believe I will join you in following it. Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Charley for sharing it with you friends on facebook. Please let me know how it works for you. If you have any suggestions please pass them along!
DeleteI grew up Catholic, so I am well acquainted with the practice of Advent, but never knew the real reason for it until recently. Just because it's done by more liturgical (or traditional) churches some people think it's "no good", but what's "no good" is doing it without the right purpose - for tradition's sake.