In today’s podcast, we delve into the meaning and history of Advent, a season of hope, expectation, and waiting. Stasi shares stories from her own family traditions, showing us that Advent means so much more than a countdown to Christmas. It is a time to reflect on faith, hope, joy, and peace. It is a time to remember how Christ came and all that he has done for us—while looking forward with great anticipation to the promise that he will come again and make all things new.

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SHOW NOTES:

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VERSES: 

Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) — Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) — Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Matthew 2:1 (NIV) — Incarnation: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

John 1:29–31 (NIV) — Baptism: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! …

John 2:1–10 (NIV) — Jesus’ first miracle: …On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, …

Acts 2:17 (NIV) — In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Hebrews 1:2 (NIV) — but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

Isaiah 9:2–7 (NIV) — Week of Hope

Isaiah 40:1–11 (NIV) — Week of Faith

Luke 2:1–21 (NIV) — Week of Joy (the Christmas Story)

John 2:13–14 (NIV) — Week of Peace

John 3:16 (NIV) — Love:  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 1:17–18 (NIV) — For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

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OTHER RESOURCES:

Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote: “The Celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward ot something greater to come.”

Matthew Kelly quote: “God of hope, I look to you with an open heart and yearning spirit. During this Advent season, I will keep alert and awake, listening for your word and keeping to your precepts. My hope is in you.”

Karl Barth quote: “Unfulfilled and fulfilled promise are related to each other, as are dawn and sunrise…then it is precisely in the light of the coming of Christ that faith has become Advent faith, the expectation of future revelation. But faith knows for whom and for what it is waiting. It is fulfilled faith because it lays hold on the fulfilled promise.” 

Renee Swope from Proverbs 31 Ministries Poem: The Manger of My Heart

https://reneeswope.com/christmas-prayer/

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