Calvary Family Devotion: The Gospel of John and the Advent Season
December 1 – 24, 2024
(Click here for PDF version of this blog and reading plan.)
THE ADVENT SEASON
Advent comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming.” Many churches observe a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus at Christmas. The Latin word adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, which references Christ’s Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a reminder that Christ has come and that he will come again. Advent for 2024 begins on Sunday, December 1.
HOW TO USE THIS DEVOTIONAL
Come to God’s Word with a listening, attentive, and attuned ear and heart. Ask the Lord to meet with you and speak to you as you spend time with him in his Word. Take your time as you read the passage. Pause and reflect as the Holy Spirit highlights a specific word or message. The Lord wants to speak to you during your time in the Word. Slowing down is one way to prepare your heart to receive and to make room for him to speak. Journal what you feel the Lord is saying and consider how you will respond.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
The Lord has left a clear witness during the holiday season. The entire world is focused on Christmas. Not all may celebrate it, but they cannot escape it. Not everyone who celebrates does so with Jesus at the center. But as believers, we have an open door to spread the love of Christ to a world desperately in need of a Savior.
We have included a list of activities that you can do alone, or with your family. These activities focus on extending hope, peace, love, and joy to others in this season. We invite you to choose at least one activity each week to share the love of Jesus with others. As you do these activities, ask the Lord for opportunites to share the Gospel.
SCRIPTURE READING PLAN
Date Read
12/1/24 John 1
12/2/24 John 2
12/3/24 John 3
12/4/24 John 4
12/5/24 John 5
12/6/24 John 6
12/7/24 John 7
12/8/24 John 8
12/9/24 John 9
12/10/24 John 10
12/11/24 John 11
12/12/24 John 12
12/13/24 John 13
12/14/24 John 14
12/15/24 John 15
12/16/24 John 16
12/17/24 John 17
12/18/24 John 18
12/19/24 John 19
12/20/24 John 20
12/21/24 John 21
12/22/24 Matt. 1:18-24
12/23/24 Matt. 2
12/24/22 Isaiah 9:1-7
SUPPLEMENTAL VERSES
Hope: Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 1:26-38; Isaiah 7:10-14; Matthew 1:18-24
Peace: Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11; Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 3:1-6
Joy: Isaiah 9:6-7; John 1:19-34; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Philippians 2:1-11
Love: Malachi 3:1-5; Romans 8:18-25; Isaiah 52:7-10; Revelation 21:1-14
Weekly Challenge
Choose at least one activity each week that you and your family can do to help bring hope, peace, love, and joy to others. As you spread the love of Jesus through these activities, ask the Lord for opportunities to share the Gospel.
- Write a note or send a card to someone that you know is struggling right now. Consider those who lost a loved one over the past year or suffered a hardship.
- Make a treat to take to a neighbor, shut-in, or the homeless.
- Invite a neighbor over for dinner, or ask a senior if you can bring them a meal.
- Purchase a gift card and give it to a waiter or sales person as you shop.
- Make Christmas cards with your kids and take them to a nursing home for staff to distribute to the residents. If you can only make a few, ask them to distribute the cards to residents who do not receive frequent visitors.
- Donate toys or canned goods to Cy-Fair Helping Hands. Visit the CFHH web site to view other ways you can contribute. https://www.cyfairhelpinghands.org/holidays-2024/
- Take time to consider ways you can serve at church and in your community. Write it down, make a plan, and get in action.
- Ask the Lord if there is someone he would like for you to bless in a special way this Christmas. It may include providing a service they need, or blessing them financially.
- Help your kids write a note to an adult that has inspired or helped them in some way.
- Open your calendar and write down the name of a different person on each day of December. Each day, pray for the person on your list. Parents, you can also do this as a family with your kids. Kids can either make their own list, or families can make a list and pray for the names together daily.
