Advent Conspiracy Daily Devotionals: Week 1
As we enter the season of Advent, we invite you to journey with us through a series of daily devotionals inspired by Advent Conspiracy. This week, we focus on slowing down and re-centering our hearts on the true meaning of Christmas: worshiping fully. In a world that often prioritizes busyness and consumerism, these reflections remind us to embrace the quiet, intentional presence of Christ in our lives. Let us begin this sacred season together, opening our hearts to God’s peace and preparing room for the joy that is to come.
DAY 1
Sunday, December 1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:1-5
John’s Gospel takes us to the beginning of time. The narrative brings us to the formless darkness before all things were made. And yet in that unfathomable nothingness, John speaks of the presence of Jesus. Wesley suggests that God ‘spoke from eternity’ when He created the universe. This Gospel brings us the mysterious truth that God brought forth life, and that life was the light that is Christ Jesus.
We are reminded that at Advent Christ brings us a new beginning – a life from God, a light in the dark. Advent is a new beginning for us, too – a chance to reflect on the astonishing gift of Jesus. This passage speaks of God’s light as something that has the power to overcome darkness, and the source of that power is revealed to us during Advent.
If you have been alone at night the feeling of emptiness can be profound. God speaks to us through the darkness, just as He spoke life and light into the world. Even in the darkest hour, God is present for us. The gloom of the world is overcome by the presence of Christ in Advent.
Reflect
Do you dread the darkness, or can you feel God’s presence even where there is no light? In many parts of the world, Advent takes place at a time of year when there is more darkness than light. In what areas of your life do you long to see the light of Christ break through? How might practicing the four tenets of Advent Conspiracy bring about light into our dark world?
Pray
Lord of all light, You created us and are all around us. Thank you for being the Light of the World and entering into our story. Help me to seek your light so that I may find and know your presence both in the brightness of day and the deepest dark of the night. Amen.
Devotional writer: Helen F. (London, England)
Day 2
Monday, December 2
Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’ – Jeremiah 33:14-16
Righteousness. It’s one of those words in church that is difficult for some to define, and for all of us to embody.
If righteousness really is God’s own perfection in every word, thought and action, it’s a standard that none of us can reach. It’s also one that appears painfully absent in the world around us.
Yet God is a promise keeper! “A righteous Branch will to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” He will be called, “The Lord is our righteousness.”
This is an incredible message of hope for everyone lost in brokenness and sin. God will have the last and final word. He will enact justice and righteousness not only on our behalf, but on the behalf of everyone and everywhere that we see pain, sin and suffering. Just as Isaiah 25 prophesied, “He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.”
As Pastor Tim Keller observes, “While other worldviews lead us to sit in the midst of life’s joys, foreseeing the coming sorrows, Christianity empowers its people to sit in the midst of this world’s sorrows, tasting the coming joy.” Advent reminds us that through Jesus Christ, joy is coming.
Reflect
Take time to reflect on your own words, thoughts and actions. Do they reflect a Christ-like sort of righteousness? How might the four tenets of Advent Conspiracy reorder your priorities this Advent season so that you can show hope to those in your life? Write down some concrete actions steps you can take to be a blessing to others. Ask someone to hold you accountable and possibly join you this Advent season.
Pray
Dear Jesus, You are our Righteous Branch. To you and you alone do we cling to for our righteousness. Thank you for never letting us go, and for convicting us, comforting us and then commanding us to reflect your hope in our world. Help us to dwell in your loving presence so that we can be ambassadors of your love, justice, and righteousness everywhere you send us by your strength Lord. Amen!
Devotional from: Bryan L. (Lewes, Delaware, USA)
Day 3
Tuesday, December 3
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. – Luke 1:5-10
How does the story of Jesus – the story of Advent – begin with an older, childless couple named Zechariah and Elizabeth? It’s tempting to want to rush past this part of narrative. We want to get to the angel’s announcement, the connection to Mary and to Joseph and the manger, even to John the Baptist in the wilderness, but that has to wait.
These verses remind us that we are reading the beginning of one story and the end of another. It was time: Israel’s wait for the work of God to intervene into their story had come. Could it be that the plight of Israel can be seen like mirror images in the story of these two righteous but childless people?
Israel is tired of waiting and so are Elizabeth and Zechariah. Their prayers seem futile, until God shows up with an announcement that will change the trajectory for them all!
While we may read hopelessness and despair into these verses, note what the assembled people are doing. Verse 10 says that when Zechariah went in to serve as the priest at his appointed time, “the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.”
John Wesley, once said: “God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.” Imagine for a moment if prayer is what defined our Advent season this year. What kind of conspiracy would it be if the “whole assembly” devoted itself to prayer? What could God do in our lives in the coming weeks if we committed to prayer in this way?
Reflect
Consider your own prayer life, that of your family or congregation. How might you use this Advent season to intentionally focus on prayer? What prayers have you been waiting on or have given up on praying for? In the coming days, try different kinds, styles or types of prayers to pray in a new way. See how God will meet you. Let that be your Advent gift this season.
Pray
God of all time and space, We join with Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, as we await the arrival of Jesus during this Advent season of preparation. May my preparations be like those of the assembly gathered with Zechariah, one of prayer and intentionality as I wait, patiently, for you to arrive. Give me courage to come to you honestly and humbly with my authentic prayers, knowing that you are a God who shows up in miraculous ways. Amen.
Devotional writer: Derrek B. (Edmond, Oklahoma, USA)
Day 4
Wednesday, December 4
“On the right side of the altar of incense an angel of the Lord appeared. This terrified Zechariah and he fell before him out of fear. The angel said, “Zechariah, don’t be afraid because your prayers have been heard! Your wife Elizabeth will have a son and you will call his name John. There will be a lot of joy, celebration, and many will be glad. Many of the sons of Israel will return to the Lord, his God. He will go before God in the spirit and power of Elijah and turn the fathers’ hearts to their children and the disobedient to an attitude of righteousness. He will prepare people for the Lord.” – Luke 1:11-17
Have you ever noticed that in the Bible, whenever the Angel of the Lord shows up, people are always afraid? Not just afraid but terrified! The Bible says Zechariah was ‘gripped with fear.’ Zechariah, who had been crying out to God for answers. Zechariah, who prayed for years and years. Zechariah, who wanted a son. That Zechariah.
God sent an angel with a response for Zechariah and he was afraid! Afraid? Yes, yes, he was. Think about that for a minute. How many times have we been surprised or even frightened when we see God working and answering our prayers? Why are we afraid or surprised? Maybe we were not prepared for the answer that was given? Maybe we were expecting a different answer? Maybe God’s timing didn’t line up with our own?
Zechariah was told that his son, John (who we would come to know as John the Baptist), would help prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of Jesus. What a strong reminder for us: be prepared, live with expectation that God will answer our prayers. When we pray, we should prepare for whatever the answer is going to be. This Advent season as we get ready for Christmas, may we continue to be people who are preparing our hearts and the hearts of others to hear from God.
Reflect
Think back on a time when you were surprised by God. Why do you think you were surprised? Where are you longing to see God show up in your life these days?
Pray
God, I know you have all the answers and your timing is perfect. Please grant me strength and courage to prepare my hearts to hear a message from you. I thank you for all the work you have done in my life and all that you will continue to do. Bless me and those around me this Advent season. Amen.
Devotional writer: Becky G. (Homestead, Florida, USA)
Day 5
Thursday, December 5
And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” – Luke 1:18-25
The announcement of John’s birth was extraordinary. God chose two people, Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth, to raise His messenger John. Zachariah asked for a sign and a sign was given that stayed with him for nine months. He became mute, until the birth of his son. Meanwhile, Elizabeth ‘kept herself hidden’ for five months, most likely until it was clear that she was expecting. Both of them became living signs of God’s pressing, yet seemingly unbelievable, reality. The miraculous birth of a son to two people well advanced in age.
Similarly, we might be tempted to doubt the reality of Jesus’ second coming, and the unfolding of His Kingdom. We live in this tension of the Kingdom already and not yet. There are markers in our lives that point us to know: Yes the Kingdom is here and there are those things that tempt us to doubt and ask ourselves, like Zachariah: “how shall I know this?”
The words of Jesus in John 14:3 stand true, “I am preparing a place for you, I am coming again and I surely will receive you to Myself”. The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel. His return is certain, and there are still people in need of hearing His story. We have the chance to help tell that story to a watching world. Let Advent be a reminder to each of us of the King that came into the world and who will come again.
Reflect
How is God calling us to move this Advent season in faith and anticipation of the pressing reality of the Kingdom? How can we live our lives this Advent season in anticipation? Is there someone in our life who we can we share the good news of Jesus with?
Pray
Lord, Let me be ready to receive you when you come again. Let me receive your words and life with faith. I pray that today I may be reminded of those markers you have given me – Your Holy Spirit and your Church. May they strengthen me and stir me to walk out all that you have commanded. It’s all for your Glory. Amen.
Devotional writer: Daniël D. (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Day 6
Friday, December 6
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. – Luke 1:26-38
With the angelic proclamation, “Greetings, you who are highly favored!”, we have our first introduction to Mary in Luke’s Gospel. Because of this lofty declaration, we often think of Mary as the model of obedience, the picture of a perfect follower of God.
Now to be sure, being selected to bear the Son of God is indeed a high honor, but the extraordinary thing about Mary was that she was so ordinary. Living in a small village, not in the religious center of Jerusalem, she was a young girl in a culture that valued age and men. She later calls herself poor and lowly.
God chooses Mary because she has nothing. When she asks, “How will this be?”, it is a practical question. She’s old enough to know how this works and knows that there’s a step missing in the process.
Mary discovers what all Christians must learn. When God calls us, we are not capable of accomplishing the task on our own. Only God can provide what we need. Through miraculous intervention, Mary goes from unwed virgin to the mother of the Christ child.
By embracing her calling, Mary becomes a partner with God in bringing the Kingdom here on earth. Without God’s intervention, Mary could not become pregnant. Without Mary as a human mother, Jesus could not be born as one of us. This is God’s design, for us to work together to give life to the Kingdom here on earth.
God’s call transforms us from people who are incapable on our own to those for whom, with God’s help, nothing is impossible. We, like Mary, have been chosen by God, not because of anything we have or have done, but because God wants to have a relationship with us. We are indeed highly favored.
Reflect
How have you felt incapable or inadequate to do what God has called you to do? Have you ever witnessed God’s miraculous provision when you chose to follow his calling? How might the concept of partnering with God help us fulfill the Advent Conspiracy tenants to Give More and Love All?
Pray
God, who calls and provides, May we recognize the gifts you have given us and remember how truly favored we are. Help me to listen closely for your calling and to be quick to obey, even when I don’t fully understand the whys and the hows. During this season of Advent, help me to use the unique gifts you have given me to breathe life into your Kingdom on earth, both now and all year long. Amen.
Devotional writer: Jon P. (Colleyville, Texas, USA)
Day 7
Saturday, December 7
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:18-21
As Christians, the Incarnation is something we are all supposed to “get,” but it’s Truth is profound and sometimes eludes us. If we call ourselves a Christian, we are—by definition—a follower of the Christ, the Anointed One, Jesus of Nazareth. We accept that He is God’s gift to humanity, given for our salvation. We know that the giving of that gift came at Christmastime, but the story is filled with surprises, many of which are contained in the few short verses above.
God’s Son, the perfect Lamb of God who would one day take away the sins of the world, was born to unwed parents. His earthly father, Joseph, is a just man. More accurately—and this is the part I relate with most—he is so just that he cannot see God’s plan unfolding before his very eyes. In trying to do the right thing, he misses the God thing he is called to do.
It takes divine intervention to keep him on the path of righteousness—to fulfill his calling as the earthly father to Jesus. Joseph almost “missed the mark” as he was kind enough and merciful enough to divorce Mary quietly for what he perceived as her indiscretion, but he was not attuned to what God was truly doing. Thankfully, despite his misstep, and God’s patience, he changed course.
This Advent, may we each be open to hearing rightly and truly the course that we should be following. May we not assume to know the way. May we not be just in our ways, but may we be just in God’s ways, and His way alone.
Reflect
Have there been times when you’ve moved ahead on your own plans instead of obeying God’s will? Do you need to ask for forgiveness for any of those choices? Following his call, how can you join together with God in helping to share the good news of the Gospel?
Pray
Heavenly Father, Speak to my heart and soul. Give me ears to hear and a soft heart to receive your message. Give me feet to swiftly follow your way—and change course if necessary. Help me to see the saving grace of your Son alive and active in these days. Help me to enact the Gospel in word and deed in this Advent season and every day until Jesus’ return or you call me home. Amen.
Devotional writer: Randall F. (Kenton, Ohio, USA)