Advent - Christ's Church of Oronogo

Advent is a season of waiting, of longing for God to come near, to bring light into our darkness, and to make good on His promises. Psalm 13 gives words to this deep ache: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” It is the cry of a weary soul who knows the tension between faith in God’s goodness and the reality of delay and suffering. Questions stir in every heart: How long will brokenness linger? How long until hope is fulfilled? How long until Jesus comes again to make all things new?

In this season, we lean into the waiting rather than rush past it. Advent teaches us that waiting is not wasted. It is where faith is stretched, where trust is tested, and where hope is forged. The story of Christ’s first coming reminds us that God does not forget His people. In His perfect timing, He came once to dwell among us, and in His perfect timing, He will come again.

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How To Use This Guide:

Weekly Readings

This is a systematic order of daily readings from the Bible with selections from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament and Gospels. You might read each Scripture every day of the week or spread it out throughout the week. It is recommended that you read these Scriptures from multiple translations (ESV, NIV, NLT, NASB and The Message are good places to start). Reading these verses as a group AND individually is a great practice to allow the Scripture to come alive in your Advent weeks.

Weekly Prayers

Just like the readings, this weekly prayer is intended to be used multiple times in your week. Use it before dinner or breakfast, pray it at bedtime, or speak it as you drive to and from work or school. These prayers are traditionally called the “collect” of the Advent week because they “collect” the theme of the week into one prayer! This section is written primarily for adults.

Weekly Reflections

These reflections are originally written reflections meant to encourage your own. You might read these reflections each week after the Advent service or each morning when you get up. This section is written primarily for adults.

You will find these weekly components on the Sunday of each week.

If you are looking for even more devotional material during this season, these daily meditations will be perfect for you! With an additional Scripture to read and a brief thought about how this Scripture plays into the overall narrative of God’s love, these daily readings call us to an even greater understanding of how much God loves us and wants us to be a part of his story. This section is written primarily for adults. Find these meditations by clicking on the square that corresponds to the day’s date.

This section has three different elements for you and your family.

1. The Conversation piece is a set of questions about the weekly theme that will spark some great discussion among your family about God’s hope, peace, joy, and love.

2. The Craft piece gives an activity that you can do with your family to help make the Advent season tangible and real in your home.

3. The Community piece gives an idea of something you and your family can do for someone else. This is a great time to talk to your children about practicing the humility and love that God displayed in Jesus.

You will find these weekly components on the Sunday of each week.

The countdown is on! Grab your resources now so you are prepared for the start of the season!

Advent Wreath

Celebrate Advent with your friends or family by creating your own Advent wreath at home! You need 3 purple candles, 1 pink candle, 1 white candle, and 5 candle holders. See what you have around your house or at a thrift store, or feel free to follow the links below to purchase some from Amazon.

candles candle holders

Spotify Playlist

Need a playlist to get you in the Advent mindset? These songs are a mix of what you will hear in our gatherings this year, along with others we believe will help you focus your mind and heart on the coming of our King.

Spotify Playlist

LISTEN HERE

Advent is the Latin word for “coming” or “arrival”. It is a season on the church calendar that has been celebrated around the world for centuries. This is a four-week period leading up to Christmas in which we slow down, look back to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, and anticipate his second coming as our King. Each week we focus on a different promise that Christ’s coming has brought: hope, peace, joy, and love. Just as John the Baptist told God’s people to “prepare” for Christ to come, we encourage one another to be prepared for his coming again. When he comes all of God’s promises will be fulfilled and all things will be made new.