2023 Advent Devotional by Friends University

ADVENT 2023 I am pleased to present the eighth annual Advent Guide for the Friends University community. In this season that can so often feel overrun by the busyness of schedules, the pressures of finding just the right gifts, and the obligations of others on our time, energy, and attention, taking time to intentionally reflect on the meaning and significance of the Advent season seems all the more important. Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the commemoration of the arrival of Jesus at Christmas. The term, Advent, is a version of the Latin word meaning “coming.” Advent reminds us of the first and future visit of our Lord Jesus Christ. May Christ make Himself known to all of us this Christmas! May these devotionals help prepare our hearts as we journey through this season. Each day I invite you to read the Scripture passages and the accompanying brief devotional. Then, take a few moments to be still and present before the Lord as you consider the significance of Christ’s coming. This Advent guide is a great collection of contributions from various faculty, staff, and students who have read, prayed, reflected and put their thoughts onto paper – for all of us. I am thankful for their kind and thoughtful participation. May these reflections on Scripture help you walk each step of the Advent journey until you find yourself at the manger on Christmas Day! Grace and peace,

Guy M. Chmieleski Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Campus Ministries

A GUIDE FOR DAILY DEVOTION 1. Quiet

4. Reflect

Take a moment to find some quiet. Let this be a time where you can be intentional on listening for God to speak to you.

Read the devotional reflection for the day. Look and listen for how the Lord might be speaking through the thoughts and reflections of another.

2. Pray

5. Listen

Comfort, comfort your people, O God! Speak peace to your people. Comfort those who sit in darkness and mourn, Forgive us our sins and end the conflict in our lives.

Though it is tempting to hurry on to the next thing in this season, take a moment to sit with everything you have read. Ask God if there is something specific for you to take away for today.

3. Read Take time to slowly and prayerfully, read the Scripture passages assigned for the day. Pay special attention to words or phrases that might stand out to you. The scripture listed at the top of each page should link you to a webpage to read the passages digitally if you would like.

If you sense a leading, be willing to follow it. Write it down so that you will be reminded of it. Allow this to orient you and the work, relationships, and experiences you have throughout the day.

6. Prayers The following is a suggested guide for prayer during Advent: •

Pray for all Christians around the world, especially for those who endure persecution for their faith.

•

Pray for our nation and all those in authority

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Pray that Christ’s peace may cover the world. Pray for the end of conflict and war, and for the triumph of truth and justice.

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Pray for those who suffer and grieve.

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Pray for all those who engage in the educational ministry of the Church and especially for Friends University.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 Isaiah 64:1-9 ∙ Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 ∙ 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 ∙ Mark 13:24-37 I’m going to be bold and start out with a confession to you, new friend. Christmastime and Advent have been hard for me to look forward to this year. My family has been going through a rough season. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer this fall and my two-year-old niece is slated to have brain surgery later this week. In a time where I feel like I am expected to feel the warm fuzzies, I’m anticipating that all of the traditions and celebrations I’m used to are going to look different this year. Maybe you’re coming into this season with heaviness or brokenness, too. Someone could be missing from the table this year, or perhaps circumstances have forced celebrations to change. You might be struggling to sing the happy, bouncy carols or put up certain decorations. Know that you’re not alone—God sees your pain. Our scripture passages as we begin this Advent journey show the pain of the human condition and the pain of separation from God. In the readings, we find pleas to our Heavenly Father to turn His face toward us – to give us refuge, forgiveness, and this week’s focus, hope. There is hope, not only in remembering the birth of Jesus, but also in that the story isn’t over. It is still being written. Jesus will be coming again and make all things new. In the midst of the uncertainty my family is experiencing, I know that some traditions are going to be broken. Things are different this year. I can have hope beyond the broken since God has taught me again and again that He is faithful. I have experienced His deliverance and seen restoration. Let us keep watch this season to see how even in our pain, we can have hope in God’s glory. We can have hope that even if this Advent has us entering it broken, God is writing a story with an ending to which He will be faithful.

Miranda Shackelford

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4 Psalm 79 ∙ Micah 4:1-5 ∙ Revelation 15:1-8 When the Christmas season comes to an end, there are always those neighbors who leave their Christmas lights up long past December. Well, I’m one of those neighbors; I never take the lights down. Most families have a tradition of putting away Christmas decorations, soon after the holiday is over. We package everything back in boxes and don’t take them out again until next year. Do you do the same with your faith? Celebrating and remembering the long-awaited arrival of the Savior on earth is not something to be put in a box, hidden away until Christmas returns again. Before Christ, we were consumed by our own selfish ambition, blinded by lies that paralyzed us with shame. But God Himself, out of His deep love for His children, came to live among us to free us from our sin. Pause for a moment. Remind yourself of a time when God transformed you. Perhaps He changed an old way of thinking, dissolved a destructive habit, or restored something you thought was lost. Jesus’ arrival illuminated hope for God’s people who were living under the oppressive Roman rule. This same hope and light are available to us today. In John’s gospel, he says, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world” (John 1:9). Jesus is Himself the light. He came to illuminate our doubts, heal our brokenness and rescue our lost souls. This is the Good News! We don’t have to live in darkness anymore. Keep your light on. Let His light shine through you, not just in the Christmas season, but all year round. Consider the ways you can illuminate someone else’s life by sharing the Good News of Jesus’ coming.

Stefania Losada Yara

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 Psalm 79 ∙ Micah 4:6-13 ∙ Revelation 18:1-10 The thrill of hope; the weary world rejoices! At a time when the world was desperate for a Savior, the words of the prophet Isaiah came to life: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means “God with us”. And with that, hope was born. Hope is something we all want in our lives; it’s something we all need in our lives. We hope for so many things: that job we’ve worked hard to get, a house on that certain street, a date with that special someone. Children hope for that toy at Christmas that they’ve always wanted and can’t live without! To most people, hope is “keep your fingers crossed and wish!” But the hope that Jesus brought, the hope of the Bible, is a very different thing. Hope in Scripture is the rock-solid foundation of God we’re to build our lives on. It is a gift straight from the heart of God that allows us to know who and whose we are. Job 11:18 says, “You will be secure because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.” Hope, the solid foundation we have in Christ, is the reason we can rest securely and know the One who loves us most is Immanuel, God with us. He is always near, always cares, and always has His hand of sovereignty on us. 2000 years ago, the world was looking for a savior and hoping for a warrior. What we got was a Redeemer. And that Redeemer brought a different kind of hope that would change the world and provide peace unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. The hope of God is not wishful thinking; it’s real and powerful and something we can build our lives on. Rejoice in that hope this Advent season!

Donna Crenshaw

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 Psalm 79 ∙ Micah 5:1-5a ∙ Luke 21:34-38 I have always been troubled a little bit by the thought that we (humans) are inherently “bad.” I certainly know I am not perfect, but I like to think I am not awful. It has also been helpful in my life to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume that we aren’t intentionally bad to others. However, scripture is clear on our disposition toward sin. The Bible talks about this in many places including that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and out of the heart of man proceeds evil thoughts (Mark 7:21). The scriptures for today’s advent devotional all speak on some level to our sinfulness and God’s accountability. I want to briefly focus on Luke 21:34-38. Jesus is speaking to His disciples about the kingdom of God and how it will come unexpectedly so they must be careful and “be on watch” (verse 36). Why must we be on watch? Because we are sinful and can be quickly distracted. Verse 34 speaks to how our “hearts can be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.” Sin left unattended can grow and weigh us down. Our hearts getting weighed down by sin is never far off if we aren’t careful. This hinders both our relationship with Christ and with those around us. How can we keep our hearts from being weighed down by sin? I can think of a few simple ways. First, be in God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Second, be a part of community of believers that encourages us to guard our hearts and live a life honoring to Christ (Hebrews 10:24). And lastly, live with a heart of gratefulness for the sacrifice and resurrection of God’s Son and His promised return.

Rob Ramseyer

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 ∙ Hosea 6:1-6 ∙ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 Here is a short list of noteworthy things that have happened on December 7 throughout human history: • • • •

43 BCE: Marcus Tullius Cicero was assassinated on the orders of Mark Antony. 1787 CE: Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution. 1917 CE: The US declares war on Austria-Hungary. 1941 CE: The attack on Pearl Harbor occurs.

And perhaps my personal favorite. •

1995 CE: The Galileo spacecraft arrives at Jupiter.

All throughout history, humans have scrambled around from place to place, from second to second, and from idea to idea, living out the drama of our lives. December 7, and every other day of the year, we scurry like ants, chasing all of the things we have deemed important. And indeed, to us they are important. Anyone in the U.S. that was old enough on December 7, 1941 to mark the news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor could have told you where they were and how they felt when they learned of it. But what about now? Does Pearl Harbor evoke any emotions for you beyond its existence as a page in a history book, movie or some other passing reference? History will always be an important part of our human identity; the marking of from whence we came, on the way to where we are going. We learn from it, we use it to fuel our imaginations and, hopefully, to avoid the pitfalls that led us down destructive paths in the past. But I would offer this piece of advice when it comes to history: in all of the incredible and earth-moving events of the past, and all of the minutia of the dayto-day lives of those whose names have long turned to dust, there was a greater narrative being written. During every moment of every December 7, there was an author, a God that was loving you and desiring a relationship with you. He was there on your first December 7, and He will be there on the last December 7 that your eyes will witness, and far far beyond. Seek Him out, walk through the world with Him besides you, and revel in the joy that comes from knowing that no matter how small you feel in this world, you will never be forgotten by the one true author.

Case Bell 9

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 ∙ Jeremiah 1:4-10 ∙ Acts 11:19-26 “I will listen to what God will say; surely the Lord will declare peace to His people, His godly ones, and not let them go back to foolish ways.” Psalm 85:8 Listening is a difficult skill to master. This is particularly hard living in a world with so much noise fighting for our attention. Our culture prides itself on independence and only wants us to focus on ourselves. In many relationships in my life, I find myself to be more of a listener than a talker, but that doesn’t always mean that it is easy for me to listen, especially to God. I transferred to Friends University in the fall of 2022. This was a huge transition. I was at a new school, in a new state (I’m from Minnesota), and had a whole new life far away from my family and friends. I struggled a lot with finding good friends and figuring out where I fit in on my basketball team. I felt very alone and spent many nights crying to God asking Him, “Why am I here?” “Why do I feel so alone?” Why…Why…Why… but I never spent time listening for His answers. It wasn’t until I started listening to what God was telling me, that I found my place on my team, and met some lifelong friends. He always has an answer for us, but it might not always be what we want, or expect it to be. But if we give Him our time and listen, we can trust that He will work all things for our good. “When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.” Acts 10:23-24 We know God is always ready to listen to us, but we also need to be willing to let Him talk and hear what He has to say. I believe that the Holy Spirit is constantly trying to tell us something and is there to guide us if we just listen. How do we know we are listening to the right voice? The best way to do this is spending time with Him and in His word. Then we can recognize His voice. In what ways is God speaking to you? Can you think of some times in your life where you were waiting to hear from God? And did you take time to listen? What are some things you can do to practice listening to Him?

Sadie Hopman 10

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 ∙ Ezekiel 36:24-28 ∙ Mark 11:27-33 Are you tired and weary? Has the weight of the world turned your heart into stone? Did you imagine things would be better by now? You’re not alone in this fight. You come to God, day after day, but nothing seems to change. We need God more than anything, but we also need each other. We need the community of Christians in our walk of life. God didn’t create us to have a private relationship with Him; yes, our relationship with Him is deeply personal but it was never intended to be private. We need each other and we need the bride of Christ—the Church. On our own our hearts turn to stone, but God says through the prophet Ezekiel, that “I will give you a new heart, and new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a new heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (ESV Ezek. 36:26-27). Through the communion of the saints - the body of Christ, which is you and I, we can experience this new heart—this new life. Jesus is wanting to bring healing to your heart, but He designed this healing to be in community. James says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed…” (ESV Jas. 5:16a). This healing of the heart begins in true, authentic relationship within community. As Christians we are called to be the body of Christ—the Church. Church is not a place or something we go to simply on Sundays and then get on with the rest of our week. Christ has called us to be committed to His bride—to fully love the church. Our hearts cannot be fully healed without community—we need God and we need others. Don’t walk through life alone anymore; Jesus is calling us back to His church and back to community. It is through real, raw relationship with others, carrying each other’s burdens and through communion with Christ that our hearts can be turned from stone to flesh. May we not miss this invitation from Christ who fully sees you and fully loves you.

Brady Landenberger

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 Isaiah 40:1-11 ∙ Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 ∙ 2 Peter 3:8-15a ∙ Mark 1:1-8 When a child knows that they are loved and cared for, their actions reflect the faith that they have in those who care for them. It could be effortlessly jumping off a diving board into the arms of a parent or running through a crowd without worrying about what other people think. Jesus says that our faith should be like that of a child. What does that look like? In Isaiah 40:1-11, he tells us to “cry out, do not fear!” God is constantly speaking to us throughout the day. Are you listening? Sometimes He can call us to do things in His name outside of our daily schedule or comfort zone: helping a friend, sharing the gospel, talking to someone sitting alone, reaching out to a stranger, being present in a moment instead of rushing to the next thing. Does the judgement of other people or lack of trust in God’s intentions get in the way? We are told not to fear. Jesus asks us to leap into His arms when we are worried or unsure. He is waiting. Many times in scripture the patience of the Lord is demonstrated. Sit in His patience that He has for you. He doesn’t expect you to be perfect, but to continue chasing Him with a childlike faith. He will pick you up no matter how many times you fall down. That is truly amazing! Sit in the pure joy of the Gospel. Cry out and proclaim the goodness that God has done in your life. It is worth celebrating! Outside pressures should not keep us from being fully invested in God’s love that He has for us. Identity and worth does not lie in performance, popularity or achievements. It only lies within the love that our Father has for us, and it is comforting to know that it won’t change. It is unconditional. Make your faith today fearless. In those moments that Christ is calling you to help someone, to speak the Gospel, or simply be joyful in Him, take them fearlessly. Leap into the arms of your creator. A simple prayer to help could be, “God, please help me to be brave.” God Bless.

Kelli Wegerer

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 Psalm 27 ∙ Isaiah 26:7-15 ∙ Acts 2:37-42 It is hard to listen to the news today. The anger, division, violence and hurt we hear about every day is so discouraging. The uncertainty and unrelenting pace of news and social media can leave us fearful about both the present and the future. But I do not think it was much different around Advent. The Jewish world was under the control of the Roman empire. For 400 years it perhaps seemed to some Jews that God had perhaps forsaken them. There were no new prophets, no new revelations. They had suffered for centuries and were greatly in need of consolation, comfort and rescue. One such Jew was a man named Simeon. We know very little about him, other than he was righteous and devout, and that he was waiting for “the consolation of Israel.” We also know that the Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the “Lord’s Christ.” This is an extraordinary description of someone whom we know nothing else about. Yet when the Spirit moved him, he went to the temple courts and there he saw Mary, Joseph and Jesus. He took Jesus in His arms and praised God saying, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” What would keep Simeon trusting for those years and in such hard times? I think in Simeon’s prayer we hear the echo of another prayer from centuries before. In Psalm 27, David is facing enemies who are intent on his downfall, but begins his song with “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?” David continues with a request that I cannot help but compare to Simeon’s experience. “This is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” I can almost hear Simeon as he stands in the temple, singing this psalm as he gazes at the holy child he holds in his arms. Luke tells us that after Simeon prayed, he blessed Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus. I almost wonder if the blessing he prayed had more echoes from the end of Psalm 27 when David finishes with these words: “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” What powerful words for us this Advent season! No matter what we face or fear, the words of Psalmist still ring true. We will see the goodness of the Lord! Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart!

Dean Jaderston 14

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12 Psalm 27 ∙ Isaiah 4:2-6 ∙ Acts 11:1-18 Natural disasters provide prime opportunities to learn about preparation and waiting. Growing up in Kansas without a basement, I knew the tornado plan. I knew which neighbor to turn to at a moment’s notice and the exact driving time needed to hunker down in my grandparents’ cellar. When I moved to Florida, I learned the guidelines for hurricane season. I learned hurricanes require more preparation and waiting out a storm takes longer. (I also learned Jim Cantore is never near the action, but that is another story for another day.) In graduate school, I learned Nor’easters wreck Christmas travel plans for everyone trying to leave New Jersey in December. Whether a Midwest tornado, tropical storm or winter storm, proper preparation helps when weathering dangerous conditions. Secure locations do not quell every fear, but with proper preparation and a safe dwelling place, it is possible to wait with confidence as the storm passes. In Psalm 27, the Psalmist faces an unprecedented disaster and although the Psalmist never indicates the preparatory measures taken before battle, Psalm 27 indicates a familiarity with time spent in the presence of God. The enemy advances, an army besieges, war erupts, and yet, the Psalmist declares confidence. His confidence resides in the nearness of God and the promise that God remains with us in every life circumstance. God does not lessen the blow, cause the enemy to retreat, answer the Psalmist’s questions, or end the suffering but God shelters the Psalmist in His presence. In God’s presence, the Psalmist finds a safe place to cry out in lament and in joy, confess his doubts, sing and makes music, and recall the goodness of the Lord. In this season of preparing for the coming King who will right all the world’s wrongs, we wait with confidence in the presence of the Almighty. We wait with confidence because we have tasted, and we have seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). Whatever the storm, God invites us to gaze on His beauty, learn His ways and seek His face. Storms will come. War will rage. And yet, God remains steady, trustworthy and good. With God, nothing is impossible. Set a timer for five minutes and create a list of every storm you remember facing in life and how God carried you through the storm. Recall and rehearse the goodness of God. Thank God for His presence and ask Him to make you aware of His presence right now and to give you confidence as you wait for His deliverance from the current struggles in your life.

Wendy Mohler-Seib 15

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 Psalm 27 ∙ Malachi 2:10-3:1 ∙ Luke 1:5-17 This Psalm of David (Psalm 27) is his praise back to God, adoring Him and honoring Him for being the center of His life. Re-read the first part of verse 1 as we look together at this section. David praises God as the Lord God “is my light and my salvation.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines light as “something that makes vision possible” and defines salvation as “a deliverance from the power and effects of sin.” When we don’t include God and His Word in our decisions, too often, we try to do what’s right in our own eyes to feel better about ourselves and our choices. I’m incredibly guilty of this myself. I’ve tried to lean onto my understanding to deliver myself from my sins, only to realize that I don’t have that ability, and I have found myself running around in circles, frustrated with my results! That sounds like the Israelites after being delivered from the hand of Pharaoh in Egypt. (Check out the story of Moses in Exodus for a refresher.) But how do we follow His light? Does it look like the sun or a light bulb? These creations point to “the light of the world,” Jesus Christ. “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NKJV). If you’re wondering, “What does Jesus mean by being the light of the world?” then I believe you’re asking the right question. The Holy Bible is the written Word of God, which provides His light into our souls, giving us the vision to see who we are and how much we need Him, His Son Jesus and His Holy Spirit every day. His Word also delivers us from the power and effects of sin. God loves His creation more than anything and wants us to dwell with Him. It has been made possible only by following the only light that matters in Jesus Christ and not through our “good deeds.” I have a devotional called “The Songs of Jesus,” written by Tim and Kathy Keller, that helps guide me through the Psalms daily, and he typically poses a few questions for us to consider. A question I have for you: What thanks or praise can you give God for being our light and salvation?

Orrin Breckenridge 16

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 Psalm 126 ∙ Habakkuk 2:1-5 ∙ Philippians 3:7-11 Do you struggle with rest? Do you have a hard time turning the cell phone off or the television and resting in God’s presence? I know I struggle with this discipline. As a self-proclaimed recovering workaholic, I like to fill each moment of my day with something productive. Whether answering emails at work or doing home chores, each minute of the day has a purpose. The one thing I often neglect is true rest. The kind where I silence all distractions and sit in God’s presence. As the Christmas season is in full swing with parties, family get-togethers, and the stress of gift purchasing, I encourage you to take a moment or two and breathe. Silence the mind of the to-do list or worries. Sit in God’s presence. Meditate on scripture if that helps. One of my favorites is Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV Version): “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. We were not designed to carry the weight of the world. That’s God’s job. Take a moment to soak in the goodness of God and the specialness of the Advent season. You just might find some joy and peace in this glorious season.

Jessica Boone

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 Psalm 126 ∙ Habakkuk 3:2-6 ∙ Philippians 3:12-16 A few years ago, I sat in church, watching a clip from “The Chosen.” At that time, I’d heard much about the show but hadn’t seen it myself. The video showcased a powerful exchange between Jesus and Simon that has lingered in my thoughts ever since. In the clip, Simon comes to the shore and falls to his knees in front of Jesus. Simon asks, “you are the Lamb of God, yes?” And Jesus responds, “I am” while Simon begins to weep. Through tears, he pleads with Jesus to forgive him for losing faith, “I’m sorry, we waited for you for so long!” As Simon weeps and begs for forgiveness for his wavering faith. A desperate plea that his doubt once seemed practical, now drowned in remorse before the Messiah. The scene moved me, evoking the profound shame and longing that Simon must have experienced. This perspective resonated as I read the Old Testament scripture for today. During a time of lament, a psalmist prayed for God to restore Israel to its former glory, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy […] Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.” Habakkuk cries out for the same; “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known.” This theme of waiting is central to Advent, and I annually place myself in the shoes of those awaiting the prophesied Messiah. However, I do not overlook the supplemental theme of doubt. Habakkuk initially questions God’s justice but later recounts God’s promises and faithfulness. This contrast reveals a few key lessons: first, to show that having questions is natural. Second, that despite our questions, God is always faithful. And finally, that his faithfulness doesn’t always make sense to us. After all, most of the ancient world expected a revolutionary warrior who would conquer their earthly enemies—and instead got a homely little carpenter, born in a barn. A Rabbi riding a donkey saying, “love your enemies,” when they expected a soldier riding a warhorse. The narrative reminds us that when we find ourselves waiting and questioning God’s presence, we may discover Him where we least expect—waiting in the quiet for us.

Ethan Harvey

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 Psalm 126 ∙ Habakkuk 3:13-19 ∙ Matthew 21:28-32 God calls everyone. He first calls us to Himself, and then He calls us to partner with Him to work in His Kingdom so that He may be glorified. When we partner with God to use our lives in the wondrous and mysterious works that He calls us to, we must first posture our hearts obediently toward our Creator. Read Matthew 21: 28-32 again. Often times we say we will go and step out when God calls us, but we lack the faith and motivation to do so like the second son in the parable. Instead, we must be like the second son; despite sin and rebellion, we will go because we have faith in Him. When we choose to posture our hearts toward obedience as we wait for the Lord in this season, it has a certain sweetness. It is like the psalmist describes in Psalm 126, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them. The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.’” The God of the universe who created and deeply desires you, not only wills in your life but also works in your life for His own glory. Obedience to God’s will is not something to be afraid of. When we live in obedience according to God’s will, we are filled with joy and content in knowing we are where we are created to be, while following who we are created for. Take some time to reflect on what the Lord is calling you to in this Advent Season. What parts of your life are you afraid to give up to God’s will? What steps can you take to be more obedient to God’s will in your life?

Gabi Coombs

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 ∙ Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55 ∙ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 ∙ John 1:6-8, 19-28 Other gospels distinguish the first John encountered in the gospel narratives from the son of Zebedee by calling him “the one baptizing.” Yet in the Gospel of John, this first John stands alone with that name. The significance behind the absence of the qualifying description points us toward the crucial role that John (the Baptist) plays in the activity of God. “A single man named John appeared, having been sent by God;” (1:6) Jesus is not the only person in this Gospel to have been sent by God. His cousin – as identified in the Gospel of Luke – also shares this significant role. But why was John sent? “John came as a witness whose testimony concerned the Light, so that everyone would believe through John.” (1:7) John serves as a witness, indeed the first witness that the Light described in the first five verses is for humanity. Thus, one crucial element in John’s identity is found in the testimony he provides regarding God’s powerful Word. But he remains only a witness. “John was not the light, rather his testimony concerned the Light.” (1:8) John was not sent representing the end of God’s activity; rather he was sent as a reminder of God’s ongoing activity. As the Gospel narrative opens, we learn more about the testimony of this individual. We find no descriptions of John like those found elsewhere. We are not pointed toward his diet – eating wild honey – or his fashion statement – wearing scratchy, leather garments. Instead, we are pointed toward his role as one who gives testimony. “I am not the Messiah! I am not Elijah! I am not the Prophet expected! (1:20-21) I am a Voice crying out in the wilderness!” (1:23) John’s testimony begins with his rejection of identities others might wish to force upon him. Instead, he claims only to be a voice in the wilderness, as the prophet Isaiah indicated. This Advent season, do you find others pushing an identity upon you? Instead, are you taking steps this Advent season to claim your true identity as a voice whose testimony points others toward the Light of Life, Jesus of Nazareth?

Stan Harstine 21

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18 Psalm 125 ∙ 1 Kings 18:1-18 ∙ Ephesians 6:10-17 Change is a necessary ingredient to helping you realize that your security, your shelter and your foundation has not been in where you are walking, the people who you surround yourself with, or in your circumstances—but in Jesus. Jesus is constant in every season. He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Especially starting in your college years, life may throw a lot of change at you—your major, your job, your friend group, new roommates, maybe a new city, a routine that is different every semester, and the list goes on. Throughout all this change, you can cling to the everlasting peace that is found in the One who never leaves you behind. Allow Him to do a new thing in you and complete the transformation you have been praying for (Isaiah 43:19). He has a watchful eye over all His children, and He has not turned His back on you. Rely on Jesus as He is guiding you through your time in college and any stage of life. Let any uncertainty create courage, creativity and confidence in Jesus as you walk through life abiding in Him. Jesus is and always will be the one who goes before you. His nature is to love, comfort and be near to you in all circumstances. It is His faithful promise that He will protect and defend you as you go into the world and work to grow His kingdom. He is the One who will help you find your new way and find light when it feels dark. Experience the fulfilling peace that Christ so freely gives as you turn to Him in every adventure, challenge and experience. Remember that your comfort has always truly come from Him and Him alone. Believe that transition leads to transformation. You are ready for change. Close with this prayer: Father, help me to see things not as they seem to me, but as they truly are. Ground me in what is constant, so I do not change with the wavering circumstances around me. You are equipping me as I go.

Madison Bolton 22

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 Psalm 125 ∙ 2 Kings 2:9-22 ∙ Acts 3:17-4:4 Christmas is coming up—only six more days until people wake up, open presents and spend time with their loved ones. Many people look forward to seeing what is inside the wrapping paper. I know I always try to guess what my parents got me, but in doing so it seems like the main purpose of Christmas gets missed. The reason behind the holiday is to celebrate Jesus’ birth, not the gifts. In fact, there will be some people that go without presents this year. Others might not be able to go home to spend time with their family because it is too costly or far away. In a time like this, reflect upon the reaction of Jesus’ birth. Shepherds traveled far, wise men gave gifts, angels sang, and much more. This event is a joyful time, so share some of that Christmas joy to all. Maybe that single joyful act toward someone brightens up their bad day. I challenge you, go do something kind for someone else. In Psalms 125 ESV, the first verse states “those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” Maybe Christmas time is not something you look forward to; instead, it reminds you of a lost loved one, it means that hardships are on the way, or maybe mentally you are checked out and sad. I ask that during this time you trust in the Lord. Trust that He has a good plan for you. Give any worries to God, He will make a way. Pray to God and let Him know that you give Him control over any problems, anxieties, feelings, etc. Sacrifice today and let Him take the reins, that His will be done not ours. In the second verse it states, “as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore.” Know that the Lord is with you during this time—whether it’s a joyous occasion or a depressing one. God meets us where we are at. He will never leave nor forsake us. You will always have someone willing to listen, so feel free to talk to Him.

Faith Smith

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20 Psalm 125 ∙ Malachi 3:16-4:6 ∙ Mark 9:9-13 Advent is a season of waiting and preparation. During this season, we are waiting for, and preparing to celebrate, Christmas. With that celebration, we look back in time to remember Jesus’ first coming, which took place in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. However, Advent also has a second focus, one that we often overlook. During Advent, we also look forward in time, to prepare for Jesus’ second coming. With Christmas on our minds, it’s easy to lose sight of this second aspect of Advent, this focus on Jesus’ second coming. After all, we know Christmas will happen on December 25, but no one knows when Jesus will come again. And there is no consensus on His second coming; scholars, pastors, theologians, and other people of faith have debated that question for centuries, without coming to anything approaching universal agreement. One of today’s scriptural passages, Malachi 3:16-4:6, can help us with this issue of what Jesus’ return will look like. Although it doesn’t give us a lot of specifics, it does provide two really helpful points of information. First of all, it reminds us that Jesus is coming back for His faithful followers because He loves us. This passage is full of words and phrases that indicate the depth of God’s love for us and link that love to His plan to send Jesus back for us. The passage tells us that we are God’s “treasured possession,” that through Jesus, God will relate to us as a father relates to His children, that God wants to heal us of all that troubles us, and that God wants to fill us with a joy that is like that of young animals (in this case, calves). If you’ve ever seen a puppy or a kitten playing, this last idea is a powerful metaphor for the kind of joy God wants to evoke in us. In addition to His love for us, the Malachi passage also makes it clear that God is sending Jesus back into the world to set right all the things that have gone wrong since the first humans, Adam and Eve, brought sin and death into the world. In this passage, we hear that God is going to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, and that He will bring strong consequences for wickedness. It’s easy to become caught up in the harsh sounding tone of this part of the passage, but it’s important to remember that God’s ultimate goal is to make everything right in the world again. So, this year, as we journey through Advent on our way to celebrating Jesus’ first coming at Christmas, let’s remember that we are also waiting for His second coming. We’re waiting for a time when Jesus will come back and bring us unimaginable joy, for a time when He will make everything in the world right again. Amen. Come Lord Jesus!

Ken Stoltzfus 24

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 ∙ 2 Samuel 6:1-11 ∙ Hebrews 1:1-4 Take a moment to breathe, really breathe. What a blessing to take another breath. To be here in the world that the Lord has created with every beautiful thing in it. Now take a deep breath again. Focus on the beauty around you. What a blessing it is to be alive. Take a moment today to really reflect on the Glory of God and the beauty that is His creation. You see, God has made everything and claimed it to be “good!” It is good to be in this world, and you are a “very good” creation. God is almighty and He is faithful. When we try to truly grasp the goodness of God and the depths of His beauty and love, it is hard to not want to be as the psalmist is in Psalm 89. For he says “I will sing of the graciousness of the LORD forever; To all generations I will make Your faithfulness known with my mouth. For I have said, ‘Graciousness will be built up forever; In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness’” (v. 1-2). When we seek the Lord, and surrender our lives to His will, we should be overflowing with the praises of His grace and faithfulness in our lives, for God is so good. He has given you the breath in your lungs and planted the ground beneath your feet. He has given you life! What a blessing! What a blessing that He meets us even in our imperfection. We who were once sinners and lost, have been redeemed by Christ. In Hebrews 1, we are reminded that God is speaking to us “in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature” (v. 1-3). Through Christ, we have an image of the loving and gracious God who has given us life. We should hold onto that and live in adoration and surrender to the Lord. Take time to write down little blessed moments in your day where you see God’s grace and glory shining through in your life. In this time leading up to the birth of our Savior, take time to reflect on what it truly means that God would send His only son to take on the human flesh and live as we do, die a painful death taking our sin on the cross, and then defeating sin and rising again to glory. What a blessing! What a blessing you are, and what a blessing it is to be alive. Take a moment. Count your blessings. Be in awe of the Lord.

Zoe Grolnic 25

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 ∙ 2 Samuel 6:12-19 ∙ Hebrews 1:5-14 During Advent, we are called to reflect on God’s promises and how they have been fulfilled in our lives. It can be difficult to know if we are living our lives in a way that pleases God. In Hebrews 1:5-14, we are reminded that God’s reign lasts forever and was established when the foundations of the universe were laid. Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being. We should take this time to prepare our hearts for Christ’s birth and reflect on how we can live our lives for Him. In 2 Samuel 6:12-19, we see David dancing before the Lord with all his might. David’s joy and exuberance remind us of the joy that comes from being in the presence of God. As we prepare for the coming of Christ, let us remember that God’s love is always present in our lives and let us open our hearts to His love and grace, and let us be filled with joy. David’s life was full of challenges, yet he continually praised God. We see in the Psalms that David would cry out to God as the “rock” and “savior.” In Psalm 89:1-4, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness and steadfast love. We can trust in His promises, knowing that He will never abandon us. This does not mean we will always get all our wants provided for, but we will have our needs always met. May this Advent season be a time of reflection and renewal, as we remember God’s faithfulness and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Let us take this time to create a temple for God in our hearts, where we can set aside time and space only for Him. Amen.

Jeremy Gallegos

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 ∙ Judges 13:2-24 ∙ John 7:40-52 Sometimes seeing isn’t always believing… Our scripture passages for today illustrate for us something that many of us feel on a consistent basis – I believe, but I still have questions. If I’m honest, they often feel more like doubts. There are times when I even struggle to hold tightly to the faith I profess. But why? Well, I think it has something to do with the very nature of faith. We belong to an age that desires proof. We want the facts of the matter and prefer to keep opinions and feelings out of the equation. We’re not exactly sure how faith factors into the equation at all. We want things neat and tidy. Our teachers and our culture tell us this is what we should expect. If someone asks us a question, we want to be able to give them a simple, clearly understandable answer. When we have questions, we want the same – simple, clearly understandable answers. The scriptures for today speak to God’s overarching plan to walk closely with His people, to look out for them and provide exactly what they need in any moment. Now, what God knows we need and what we often think we need are rarely the same thing. These are the spaces we are called to exercise faith. To trust what we cannot see. To believe in the God who has created, provided for us, and wants what’s best for us. To trust in His plan above our own. Are you facing something today that requires more faith than you believe you can muster? Cry out to God and ask for help! Has God been calling you to take steps toward living into the call He has placed on your life? If so, be brave and step boldly and trust that God will meet you there! Are you struggling to have confidence in the beliefs that you hold? Pray and ask God to reveal in your heart, and through His Scriptures, and in your life all the ways He is ever-present and at work. Wherever you find yourself today, let’s pray together that we would sense and know the nearness of Jesus in this Christmas season, and that God would use these days to grow in us a faith that is mature and ready for the rest of life.

Guy Chmieleski 27

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 ∙ Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 ∙ Romans 16:25-27 ∙ Luke 1:26-38 The Christmas season is one full of anticipation, excitement, preparation, and nervousness. As a child, my favorite part of Christmas was naturally the gifts! I would write and edit and rewrite my wish list a million times, making sure my requests were just right and within reason. As presents started appearing under the tree, my siblings and I would shake the boxes, trying to guess what was within the pretty packaging, expectant that what we asked for was inside. Just like a child on Christmas Eve who eagerly awaits gifts on Christmas morning, Israel eagerly awaited the coming Messiah, the ultimate gift. Similarly to how we perfect our Christmas wish lists so our parents know exactly what we want, the Old Testament is filled with specific prophecies that tell us of the blessings to come, which Jesus fulfilled. In today’s readings, we see the faithfulness of the Lord to fulfill His promises and the blessings He so freely gives us. In 2 Samuel, the Lord makes a promise to David of what’s to come in the future, and we read about the fruition of this promise in Mary’s story in Luke chapter 1. Mary was unexpectedly trusted with the biggest blessing known to mankind, and she immediately praises the Lord. She knew the glory of God was within the gift she was receiving. Mary’s Song teaches us to not just take in the blessing of a gift but to declare the greatness of the gift-giver. Good gifts can often come in ways we never expect. Nobody expected the Savior of the world to come in the form of a baby born of a virgin, but that doesn’t make Him any less good. Sometimes the best gifts are not what we ask for, but what we need. And in the waiting season, we look ahead to the things we know are promised. We look ahead to the fulfillment of the Word of God and to Jesus’ return. As we sit in expectancy and preparation, ponder over these things. How is Jesus a fulfillment of the promises made to David? What does knowing that the Lord keeps His promises mean for us and how we live our lives? What does Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel teach us about how we are to respond to the Lord? Lord, on this Christmas Eve, help me to remember what this season is all about. Help me to remember the sacrifice you made by sending your Son to Earth and what it means for all of mankind. In this season of receiving gifts, help my focus to be on the eternal rather than the material. Help me to have a heart like Mary, to not let my pride get in the way, but to have faith and give glory where it is rightly due.

Kiana Hankins 29

MONDAY, DECEMBER 25 Luke 1:46b-55 ∙ 1 Samuel 1:1-18 ∙ Hebrews 9:1-14 My wife and I have a tradition with our kids called “Advent Blocks.” Each block has a number and picture depicting a portion of the Christmas story. They are placed face down on the mantle of our fireplace, and each evening, we read a section of Scripture and flip one of the blocks. The countdown serves as a visual representation of waiting and helps build our anticipation of Christmas morning.

Today’s scripture recalls the story of Hannah, who understands waiting. For years, Hannah waited for God to give her a child. She refused to eat or drink as a sacrifice to the Lord. In her grief, she entered the tabernacle and cried out, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life.” The Lord heard her prayer and answered, for the next morning she became pregnant with Samuel. This Christmas, may Hannah’s story help us see the full picture of Advent. Because Hannah’s story is our story, too. We are reminded that the waiting is over. The same Lord who opened Hannah’s womb long ago opened the Virgin womb of Mary to bring forth new life in Jesus Christ. In the words of Sam Schuldheisz, “The Lord turned Hannah’s mourning into dancing, her sorrow into joy, her despair into rejoicing, her barrenness into life… And what God does in Hannah’s womb He does on a grand, cosmic scale in the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.” The best part of Advent blocks is Christmas day. The kids have been waiting all month for this moment. Once the chaos of gifts and food has dissipated, we light a fire, sit on the couch, and read the Christmas story. As we turn over the final block, we recite these words: “For such a long time, God seemed far away. But now, he has heard what we hoped and we prayed, God is coming to earth ... to stay!” Friends, the waiting is over. God has heard what His people have hoped and prayed. Immanuel has come to earth to stay. May you have a blessed Christmas.

Mike Jaderston 30

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friends.edu/campus-ministries 32