Advent Reading Plan, Week 3 (Expanded)

If you've been following along, how has your time been?  Technically today is the beginning of Week 2.  However, Gabby and I started a week earlier since we'll be traveling part of the week before Christmas and also, since Christmas is on a Tuesday, week 4 would be short.  So here's week 3, in case you may be on the path as us.
 
The first week was on our Sinful condition, while week 2 was a look over the promises of a Savior given to ancient Israel.  This week we're looking at Jesus's claims about Himself and His new covenant.  As you read through these reflect on the majesty and grace of God as "He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him." (Eph 1:9)

Advent Reading Plan, Week 2 (Expanded)

Here's week 2 of our Advent Reading Plan with notes included.  The previous week was a time to remember our sinfulness.  That's always a good place to start, and so I did.  Now for this week we'll move to the promises and prophecies of the coming Messiah.

God had established the Mosaic Law for the people of Israel for sin to would become evident to them and they, in turn, would see their need for a Savior.  God didn't disappoint.  Many promises were given of a great Redeemer and mighty King.

Advent Reading Plan, Week 1 (Expanded)

I've expanded the Advent Reading Plan to include the theme of the passage (or reason for choosing it), and some ideas on what to pray for afterwards.  Obviously, you do whatever you'd like, but if you need any help, it's there.  The themes may help you know what to look for as you read each day.  Also, on the first day I've added an idea for a song to sing after the reading that relates to the week.  The link is at the bottom of this post with the lyrics so you can sing along

Although advent doesn't technically start until next Sunday (Dec 2), Gabby and I have already started.  Since Christmas is on a Tuesday, it would leave the last week's reading very short.

Here's Week 1:

An Advent Scripture Reading Plan

(*Update: I changed the title of this post since it's not really a devotional, but a Scripture reading plan.)

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 Incarnation
  
   b: second coming (of Christ). 

To 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.

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.