ADVENT

DEVOTIONALS
Devotionals written by Advent Conspiracy pastors
and church leaders from around the world.

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DAY 1 – JOHN 1:1-5

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 take on Jesus coming into the world was that He

was light driving out darkness. John has barely begun his
gospel narrative before introducing this cosmic conflict as
the reason God the Father sent the Son. With a confident
foreshadowing of the story’s end, John assures us who will
ultimately come out on top.

“That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did
not overcome it.”

Right here John sums up the season of Advent. Even

amidst the great deal of darkness in this world, the light
of Jesus Christ shines bright. He who experienced all of
the darkness, even death itself, and was not overcome now
dwells in us as God’s Spirit.

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As followers of Jesus, we still live in a world where
darkness seems ever-present. This is no surprise to many
of us. We experience suffering in relationships, through
disease and death, and seeing the world run by and for
those in power. Remembering the truth found in John 1:5
and the resurrection of Jesus allows us to have faith that,
in the words of Frederick Buechner, “the madness and
lostness we see all around us and within us are not the last
truth about the world but only the next to the last truth.”

REFLECT
Consider today how the light of Christ may shine into the
darkness around you. Are there times in your life where
you’ve accepted the darkness in which you may be called
to carry the light of Christ? How might practicing the four
tenets of Advent Conspiracy bring about light into our dark
world?

PRAY
Jesus, Light of the World,
During this Advent season, may we not ignore or fear
darkness, but help us see the same light that came into
the world 2,000 years ago still shines in us today. When we
grow weary, strengthen our hearts. When we feel despair,
encourage us through community and your words, And
where there is darkness, lead us to be light. Amen.

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D A Y 2 – J E R E M I A H 3 3 : 1 4 - 16

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 u p 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

It was too dark to see much hope. Our leaders were too
susceptible to corruption, our hearts too inclined to
selfishness, our affections too prone to idolatry. God told us
to repent, but we chose to believe a lie; that it’s too hard to
return to your first Love when you’ve loved something new. So
we ended up here, exiled in Babylon. Here, it’s too dark to see
any hope. They want to change our names and our worship.
Our homes and our laughter have been stolen. Our identity
is slowly slipping away to Babylon’s message of “Assimilate!
Assimilate!…”

This is the context into which Jeremiah speaks his message.

He reminds God’s people that God has not forgotten His
promises. That there is a future because the line of King

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David will be restored. The new King will restore justice
and righteousness. Jeremiah dared God’s people to risk
believing in hope when there was no evidence of it. He
challenged them to believe that their hope, salvation,
justice, and future were wrapped up in the story of this
Righteous King.

He dared them to believe that living out that hope in exile

was worth the risk.

REFLECT
We know that this Righteous King is Jesus. Like God’s
people in Babylon, our hope, our salvation, our justice, and
our future are intricately tied to His story, and like God’s
people in Babylon it’s hard to hold on to hope when things
feel hopeless and culture pressures us. But the story isn’t
over. God’s not done. Throughout your day come back
to Jeremiah’s words. Let them challenge you to risk and
redirect your hope.

PRAY
God, My heart is too inclined to selfishness, my affections
too prone to idolatry, and my life too susceptible to
corruption. I can too easily give into the pressure of
assimilating to the culture, and too often I place my hope
in the false promises of it’s idols. Forgive me Father. Thank
you for your Son. Without Him, I’d be left with my weak
substitutes for hope. Please give me the courage to live
into true hope even when it’s hard. Amen.

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D AY 3 – L U K E 1 : 5 - 10

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

The Advent (CHRISTmas) season is my favorite time of

year, but I always have to wait for it. And then it’s a season
of waiting… in lines, in traffic, for packages to arrive, for
gatherings, and for glimpses of hope and encouragement.

Zechariah and Elizabeth understood what it felt like to wait

for hope and encouragement. Although both were from
priestly lines, and lived righteous and blameless before the
Lord, Elizabeth was unable to have children. But God! Often
we’re deprived of something in the here-and-now because
God has something better for us in the future. Zechariah and

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Elizabeth wanted a child and faithfully prayed for one, but
what they received was more than they could have imagined
– a prophet.

Advent means coming. Something we look forward to but

that’s not here yet. It’s not uncommon for us to feel like
God is running late in our lives. I often wish in my own life
that the Lord would do more and do it faster. As a church
planter I wanted a certain sized team on a specific timeline.
But the Lord knew exactly who we needed and when we
needed them. Our team didn’t just sit around waiting though,
and neither were Zechariah and the people of God. In the
meantime, they faithfully served Him, praying with great
anticipation.

This might be a season of waiting for you. Maybe even a long

season of waiting…But God is still in control.

REFLECT
What circumstance, relationship, career move, or worry do
you need to surrender to His perfect timing? Trust His
timing this season, pray with anticipation, God is never late!

PRAY
Heavenly Father, Thank you for always showing up on time,
for fulfilling every promise you’ve ever made, and for
having every detail of my life in your loving hands. Help
me to trust your perfect timing through this season and
into the new year. Amen.

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D A Y 4 – L U K E 1 : 11 - 17

“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

Seeing the angel at the altar must have terrified this

priest—no one else was allowed into this special place. This
must be a divine act. Yet even more divine was the promise
that God not only heard his and Elizabeth’s prayers (they
were childless) but that their son would one day lead people
back to God. There was hope for the people of Israel!

In a time when people’s hearts were captivated by the

mighty Empire of power, false peace, and materialism; a
faithful couple was told that their son would do God’s work.
Lives would change!

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Christmas has always been counter-cultural. A Christian
holiday celebrated intentionally during the height of
paganism. The early church made the decision to celebrate
our King on December 25, the birthday of Mithrais and
the worship of Saturn. Christmas was an in-your-face
celebration stating that God intervenes in time and space
with a promise to turn people back to their Lord.

Christmas boldly states that lives can change.

REFLECT
Today the Empire of power, false peace, materialism, and
consumerism seeks to capture our hearts and distract us
from the daily presence of God, especially during this
season of Advent. How are you praying for God to appear
in your life this Christmas? Where are you longing to see a
message of hope?

PRAY
Lord, You appear where no one else is allowed, and
sometimes that is the altar of my heart. You also appear
in our lives to offer us hope and You cut through time and
space to remind us that today people can turn to You, even
in the dark times. May we fall before You in love and go
before You in faithfulness. Amen.

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D A Y 5 – L U K E 1 : 18 - 2 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

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When we juxtapose the situation of Zechariah to that of
Abraham’s, we can hardly miss the parallels:
• God promises both a son (Gen. 15:4-5; 17:15-16; Luke 1:13).
• Both their wives are unable to have children (Gen. 11:30;
16:2; Luke 1:7).
• Both men are well advanced in age (Gen. 17:1, 17; Luke 1:7, 18),
• And then, both men respond the same to God’s promise:
Abraham: “How shall I know?” (Gen. 15:8), Zechariah: “How
shall I know?” (Luke 1:18).

Though God’s response to each is radically different. In

response to Abraham, God provides a covenant ceremony.
Zechariah ends up mute and deaf. Perhaps Zechariah had
begun losing hope in God’s desire to answer prayer. Maybe
in the busyness of his work he stopped spending time in
communion with El Shaddai, God Almighty, the One who
powerfully intervenes changing circumstances when they
seem beyond hope, just as for Abraham (Gen. 17:1).

If God had done it before, He could certainly do it again.

Perhaps the gift of silence was God’s grace to Zechariah

as an invitation to be still before Him and know that He is
God (Ps. 46:10). Maybe God gifted Zechariah with not just a
baby, but with the sacred space of stopping and considering
the wonder of the God who still meets His creatures’
deepest desires.

You may find yourself in a season of hopelessness and

constant busyness.

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Richard Foster comments that, “our Adversary the devil
majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he
can keep us engaged in ‘muchness’ and ‘manyness,’ he
will rest satisfied.”

Perhaps this season God is extending you the same

invitation as the grace given to Zechariah, to slow down
and know that He is God Almighty.

REFLECT
In what ways can you intentionally slow down and spend
time with the One who can meet you and powerfully
intervene in whatever you are facing, just as He did for
Abraham and Zechariah?

PRAY
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Forgive us for getting so caught up in the busyness of life
that we fail to make spending time with you a priority.
Grant us the grace to trust You enough to intentionally
carve out space for prayer and silence with You, that we
might be surprised with wonder in discerning Your
presence in the midst of life’s demands this season. Amen.

adventconspiracy.org
DAY 6 – LUKE 1:26-38

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a
man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David;
and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to
her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she
was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering
what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be
called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give
Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over
the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no
end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am
a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy
Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High
will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall
be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative
Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and
she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For
nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, Behold,
the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according
to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:26-38

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The story of Mary is a stunning one. A young woman of no
reputation or status is visited by an angel and informed
that she will become pregnant, by the Holy Spirit, with the
Son of God. She will carry in her body the Savior of the
world, the King all of Israel has been waiting for. Just as
amazing to me, though, is the proof Gabriel offers that
such a thing is possible. Mary’s old and barren cousin
Elizabeth is six months pregnant!

Elizabeth, unlike Mary, is a woman of standing and

reputation. She is the wife of a temple priest and a
daughter of Aaron, meaning her lineage, like her husband’s,
could be traced back to him. Despite that, she did not and
could not have children, which would have been a source
of great shame for a wife in those days. But after many
years, God, in Elizabeth’s words, “looked with favor upon”
her and “took away [her] disgrace among men.” (Luke 1: 25)

If Mary had any concerns about the scandal or costs of

being pregnant and unwed, she could look to her
cousin—humiliated for much of her married life, but
never left or forsaken.

Mary holds out courage. Elizabeth offers hope. One

helps me face the mystery of a life with Christ. The other
reminds me that because of Christ, my circumstances don’t
have the last word; that even in the darkest places, I am
seen and not forgotten in God’s story. Both women inspire
me to greater faith.

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REFLECT
Which woman challenges you most? Is it Mary, willing to
move forward into the unseen, or Elizabeth, living with
hope despite her situation?

PRAY
Abba,
You have said that You would never leave or forsake me.
Remind me daily that no matter where I am, You are with
me, rejoicing over me, and calling me Yours. Amen.

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D A Y 7 – M A T T H E W 1 : 18 - 2 1

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:

His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but
before they came together, she was found to be pregnant
through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was
faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to
public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord

appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because
what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will
give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:18-21

Almost every family has black sheep. A rebel who can’t

seem to toe the line, another is making news because of
an embarrassing antic. They are the ones in the family
picture that others step away from so they are not too
closely affiliated.

Jesus had black sheep in His family. When we read

through Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1, we find prostitutes,
adulterers, murderers, idol worshipers, and every other

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sort of black sheep. Not the kind of pedigree we might
expect for the Savior of the world.

And then there’s Mary. Mary is found to be with child before

marriage – a stigma in any society. We know how that news
landed on her fiancé Joseph. He was embarrassed. He had
in mind to leave her “quietly.”

In His sovereignty, God cleared up the matter for Joseph

in a dream, but what of the rest of Mary’s family? Her
closest friends? Her community? It’s likely that Jesus
walked under a cloud of shame all His life because some
could never accept such a fantastical story as a virgin
conception. In their minds, Mary, and Jesus Himself, would
always be black sheep.

God is apparently perfectly OK with that. In fact, black

sheep are exactly the sort of people Jesus came for: “You
shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from
their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).

Jesus really had no other option than to come through a

family tree with broken branches, a family tree like yours
and mine. Every one of us is a black sheep. But thank
God for the perfect Lamb who came to save black sheep
like you and me.

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REFLECT
Who comes to your mind as the black sheep of your family?
Is it you? How does Jesus’ mission to save people from
their sins change your view of black sheep?

PRAY
Jesus,
Thank You for coming as a perfect Lamb to save black
sheep like me – wash me with Your precious blood and
make me white as snow. Amen.

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DAY 8 – MATTHEW 1:22-25

Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had
spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: Look! A
virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and
they will call him, Emmanuel. (Emmanuel means “God with
us.”) When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from
God commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he didn’t
have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a
son. Joseph called him Jesus.

Matthew 1:22-25

Waiting is hard.

Most often, we have the ability to get whatever we want

or need in an extremely quick and easy way. Due to this
convenience, we have become extremely impatient. As we
find ourselves in the midst of the hustle and bustle of
this advent season, patience seems to be one of the first
things to go. Yet, as we come together to Worship Fully,
Spend Less, Give More, and Love All, patience is one of
the key aspects needed to fully embrace and live out this
countercultural movement.

The scripture for today declares that “Now all of this

took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the

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prophet would be fulfilled.” This took over 500 years of
patiently waiting for the coming of Emmanuel to break
into space and time, so that God could be with us and,
ultimately, save us.

REFLECT
As you move through the day, look for opportunities to be
a co-conspirator for the transformation of the world by
slowing down and waiting.

PRAY
Almighty God,
Allow me to slow down and wait on you. Stir up within me,
a vision of your kingdom coming in the stillness and quiet
moment of life, so that I might be able join with you and
become a conspirator for the transformation of this world
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the
Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

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D A Y 9 – I S A I A H 7: 1 4

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign.
Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth
to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means
‘God is with us’).

Isaiah 7:14

In light of a busy world Jesus invades humanity with a

God-sized announcement. You could focus on so many
things of this promise verse of the coming savior. You
could look at power of the immaculate conception. You
could hone in on the God who wants to be found by giving
seekers a sign. In this chaotic world Jesus is given a new
name. He is given the name Immanuel which means
God is with Us.

Here’s where I would settle my heart upon during advent;

that Jesus is God with us. He invaded a broken world. A
world that deserved judgement and rebuke. And what
does God provide? He provides Himself.

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REFLECT
I would hope in the midst of the chaos of this fractured
world you could settle in your heart that Jesus is God’s
answer to you and me. Our only response and our
ultimate response is to worship the God who is with us.
He’s not afraid of our brokenness. We are not so messy
that the Master doesn’t want to commune with us. He
comes to us as the God who will and can help us get
back to right standing.

PRAY
Heavenly Father,
Thank you loving us enough to humble yourself and
identify with us. Thank you for being with us and giving
us a path back to God through your sacrifice! Amen.

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D AY 10 – L U K E 1 : 3 9 - 4 5

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea,

to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house
and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting,
Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was
filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and
exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women,
and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the
mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your
greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are
blessed because you believed that the Lord would do
what he said.”

Luke 1:39-45

It is exciting when you find out that you’re going to have

a child. You start thinking about who you are going to tell
and when you are going to tell them. In today’s culture
many parents wait a number of weeks before sharing this
news with others. For our family, my wife usually tells her
parents first.

Now imagine young Mary. The angel Gabriel has told her
that she is going to bring the Son of God into the world. Will
she wait for a few months before she will tell anyone her
news? Can she keep this a secret? How long will she wait?

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“A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea.”
(Luke 1:39)

Where would she go? Who will she tell? Who would believe
her? Who would understand her? Elizabeth. She would go
to a relative, Elizabeth, who “has become pregnant in her
old age.” (vs. 36) Of course, Elizabeth would understand
Mary because God has just given her a miraculous child
at an old age. Elizabeth was carrying the child that would
herald the King and Mary is carrying the King.

The Good News is that Jesus has come into the world at
this season of Advent. Mary couldn’t wait to tell of the
coming news of Jesus! Like Mary, we should be so moved
by this that we are hurrying to tell others of Jesus too.

REFLECT
Will you keep Jesus and what He has done in your life a
secret this year? How can you begin to share this good
news with others?

PRAY
Jesus,
Thank you for coming as a baby into this world and we look
forward to Your second coming as a King. Amen.

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D A Y 11 – L U K E 1 : 4 6 - 5 6

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my

Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his
servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is
his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has
scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has
lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good
things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his
descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and
then returned home.

Luke 1:46-56

Mary’s song is known by many as the Magnificat, which is a

Latin word meaning, “to magnify”. This beautiful song arose
spontaneously from Mary after the words said by Elizabeth,

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“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has
said to her will be accomplished.”

When I imagine Mary and Elizabeth in this moment, I see

an almost visceral energy circulating around these two
remarkable women, both pregnant with a promise that
would not only change their own lives, but all of human
history. Yet, it’s important to remember that Mary’s song
was offered well before she had received what was
promised. She did not wait to give thanks. She did not wait
to tell of God’s goodness. She did not wait to share her joy.

It can feel vulnerable and risky to share our own stories

before we have received what has been promised. We are
tempted to wait to give thanks until we can be sure that
what we heard whispered in our hearts was true after all.
I have seen how doubt can at times be a healthy friend
on the journey of seeking God, but when we allow doubt
to close our hands in fear rather than open them in
worship and awe, we are missing out on the joy of truly
trusting in God.

Mary’s trust in God’s promise is a gift to us. When I read

her song, I feel braver in my own faith. That is the power
of joyful, genuine worship. It echos longer and reaches
farther than we may ever know.

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REFLECT
Have you ever worshiped God in the midst of unfinished
stories and unfulfilled promises? Was the joy worth the
risk of trusting?

PRAY
God,
We confess that we have not always believed what You
have promised. We have not always chosen to take You at
your word, and have missed out on the true joy and hope
that comes from trusting You. May our hearts gain courage
in the middle of our stories, worshiping You boldly so that
our joy in Christ might be multiplied. Amen.

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D AY 12 – L U K E 1 : 6 8 - 6 9

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked

favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has
raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his
servant David.

Luke 1:68-69

It is often said that “patience is a virtue.” But when is it

okay to give up patience? After 10 minutes? A year? A
decade? A century??? The Israelites waited hundreds
of years for God to raise up a mighty savior. Generations
waited in hope. The Israelites did not give up on God’s
promise.

After generations of waiting, Zechariah was visited by an

angel of God who came with an astonishing message. Your
long wait is over. Your hope is fulfilled. The messiah is
near. God is entering the world in a new way that will fulfill
hope and renew grace. Imagine that. Zechariah’s response
to this astounding news is to shout a blessing. What a
blessing he was to receive.

Today we have grown increasingly impatient.

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We want what we want right now. That leaves little room
for hope and trust that God will respond. Have you ever
given up hope in God? In a world of quick responses, it is
easy to give up on God when God doesn’t respond a quickly
as Siri, Alexa, or Amazon Prime. But what would it look like
to be patient and not lose hope?

REFLECT
Imagine what blessings God has in store when you
surrender and practice patience like Zechariah. Practicing
patience does not mean waiting a lifetime; it means being
still and patient enough to await God’s wisdom which
always comes.

PRAY
Almighty God,
Grant me still patience in my busy life to look and to
listen for You. As You were present in the world in the
Incarnation, be present with me, that I may know the joys
and blessings that you offer this season. Amen.

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D AY 13 – L U K E 2 : 1 - 5

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed

that a census should be taken throughout the Roman
Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius
was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own
ancestral towns to register for this census. And because
Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to
Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled
there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took
with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now
expecting a child.

Luke 2:1-5

At the start of the Christmas story, Joseph believes that

Mary has been unfaithful to him, and he initially plans to
divorce from her. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that an
angel appears to Joseph, convincing him to stay (Matthew
1:18-24). God has a role in the Christmas story for Joseph.
He wants Joseph to stay with Mary and help her raise this
child, the Messiah. God’s plans for Joseph are bigger than
he can imagine at this one moment.

We can imagine this wasn’t an easy decision for Joseph –

gossip and shame would have followed this young couple
everywhere. But Joseph is faithful to this calling from God.

adventconspiracy.org
Mary and Joseph get word about the upcoming census
and Joseph takes the risk of bringing Mary and their
unborn son to Bethlehem. In the midst of a difficult to
explain situation, Joseph sticks by Mary and leads her to
Bethlehem, where the Christ child will soon be born.

As we think about this passage, Joseph’s example can

inspire us to be faithful in our own relationship with God.
It may be that God is asking us to do something difficult,
or something that others won’t fully understand. But we
trust that God knows what He is doing, and that He has
given each of us a role to play in the story of salvation that
He is writing.

REFLECT
Is God calling me to do something difficult? How can I be
faithful to the work He wants me to do? What is the one
step I can take today to be obedient to God’s call?

PRAY
Lord,
Thank you for the example of Joseph, who obeyed Your will
even when it wasn’t easy. Give me the courage this week to
listen to Your voice, and follow in whatever direction You
call me. Help me to trust that Your will is better than mine
and provide all that I need to do the work You are asking
me to do. In Jesus’ Name – Amen.

adventconspiracy.org
DAY 14 – LUKE 2:6-7

While they were there, the time came for the baby to
be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She
wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,
because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2:6-7

Two sentences, a couple of dozen words – that’s all Luke

uses to describe the birth of the Son of God. None of what
we would expect for the birth of a king. But perhaps that’s
the point. And we can probably learn much from the words
Luke did include.

This line really speaks to me: “She wrapped him in cloths

and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest
room available for them.”

Of the few details Luke shares, this is perhaps the most

striking…and most important. For while it is unbelievable
to most of us that no one made room for this expectant
mother, this kind of thing happens all the time. Refugees,
immigrants, the poor… Does it matter – to the world, to
us – if they are pregnant or not, sick or not, hungry or not,
the same race or not?

adventconspiracy.org
Jesus was born, not only like all of us, but particularly like
the most vulnerable of us. God comes to redeem all, and
God starts with those most in need. Jesus is found not
in the capital city but in a backwoods town, not in the inn
but in the stable, not sleeping on fine linens but laid in an
ordinary manger with cloth.

I’ll never forget the moment my wife and I found out we

were having a baby. Nine months later, not everything went
the way we had planned or hoped they would have, but he
was here. Out came this little brown eyed boy, my son. One
of the greatest moments of my life.

My son isn’t Jesus, but when I look at the face of my son, I

see Jesus. I am reminded of our Creator.

REFLECT
What if we started looking at people like that this
Christmas season? Open our eyes God. Help us to see the
broken, the lonely, and the hurting.

PRAY
Heavenly Father,
You came once in the form of a vulnerable and helpless
child, delivered to an ordinary mother and father, in order
to redeem the world. Come again and always into our
hearts, that we may see that child in the face of all those in
need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

adventconspiracy.org
D AY 15 – L U K E 2 : 8 - 12

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,

keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the
Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said
to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will
cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of
David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah,
the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby
wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12

Imagine for a moment being one of those shepherds. You

are going about your job, looking after the sheep, you
like the solitary. However, the people in the nearby town
don’t really respect you. Other shepherds haven’t helped.
People think you are smelly, a likely thief, a bit odd and not
deserving of much respect.

Then in the stillness of the night, out of the blue, an

amazing power surrounds you, God’s glory is in your midst.

How would you feel? Would you be terrified like the

shepherds or comforted?

adventconspiracy.org
When I look back on my life and I have been placed in the
presence of powerful people with authority, I have been
like those shepherds. Terrified that I might be in trouble.
Terrified that I might mess things up. Terrified that I might
be criticised. And as a pastor at times I meet people who
feel the same about God. They worry that God will criticise,
condemn and even punish them.

But God has a different message for us, just like he had for
the shepherds.

God’s angel says: “Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news

that will bring great joy for all the people” This good news
is that God uses His power and authority not to condemn or
terrify people, but to give us Jesus, who gives us the real
gift of Christmas, the gift of a loving life with God forever.

So being in God’s presence leads to joy not fear, when we

truly hear from God.

REFLECT
As you spend time with God take notice of the good news
God gives you, that you can share with everyone you know.

PRAY
Almighty God,
Thank you for using Your power and glory to give us the
Good News of Christmas, may everyone know You by Your
Good News. Amen.

adventconspiracy.org
D A Y 16 – L U K E 2 : 1 3 - 1 4

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the

heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom
he is pleased!”

Luke 2:13–14

Life is full of and suddenly moments. Moments in time that

can forever change our perspective. When and suddenly
moments appear, they can come in all shapes and sizes.
They can be full of surprise, delight, joy, and healing but
they can also be full of hurt, brokenness, despair, fear,
and anguish.

For the shepherds who experienced this and suddenly

moment their first reaction was one of fear but then peace
settled in. Peace, the Shalom of God. In John 14:27 Jesus
says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not
as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be
troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

It’s not difficult to experience His peace in those joyful

moments that happen suddenly. To run into an old
friend unexpectedly or to receive an unexpected
promotion or encouragement.

adventconspiracy.org
These are the good and suddenlys that are welcomed with
much delight.

But what about the other kind? When the car appears out
of nowhere or we receive a phone call with devastating
news. Maybe we go to our place of employment to find
out we have been let go, or the sudden death of someone
dearly loved. No matter what the circumstance this one
thing remains. His peace will be there, overshadowing,
hovering over the pain, the fear the anguish.

He is always present.

REFLECT
Have you experienced any and suddenly moments
recently? I want to encourage you, His peace was in the
chaos. He is always present, in the moment. And He cares
deeply for you.

PRAY
Father,
Today, for all the and suddenly moments that happen,
let us reach out to You knowing that You care and that
Your peace is there, ever present in every moments of
our lives. Amen.

adventconspiracy.org
D A Y 17 – L U K E 2 : 1 5 - 18

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and
see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told
us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph,
and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they
had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had
been told them about this child, and all who heard it were
amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2:15-18

In today’s reading, the heavenly host returns to its

heavenly abode, and the shepherds are left to decide what
to do with the good news that has just been delivered in
such wildly improbable fashion. They could have laughed
the whole thing off as a kind of mass hallucination, or
been so struck with fear that they couldn’t even stand let
alone walk into Bethlehem, but they believe that God has
spoken to them, and they resolve to see for themselves
what they have heard.

And so they find the promised child lying in a manger, and

while we are told little about their encounter with the new
family, we are told that they immediately set out to spread
the word concerning all they have seen and heard.

adventconspiracy.org
In that moment they take on the role of the angels,
messengers of God declaring the birth of a saviour, just as
it had been declared to them.

REFLECT
What have you seen and heard of that child lying in a
manger? How might you take on the role of the angels this
Christmas? Who needs to hear this Good News?

PRAY
Like the shepherds who were first at the manger, may
we hear the good news and seek it out. May we become
messengers of God, declaring that the one who saves has
come amongst us. And may all who hear us be amazed,
that they may become seekers and messengers in
their turn. Amen.

adventconspiracy.org
D A Y 18 – L U K E 2 : 19 - 2 0

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered

them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all the things they had heard and seen,
which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:19-20

The shepherds left their visit glorifying and rejoicing about

what they had just experienced. It was all true, the angel’s
song was true!

In the midst of everything going on around her, Mary

treasured and pondered all that she had heard in her heart.
Imagine her expectation about her son’s life! She was
already preparing to meet Him and see everything that
Jesus would do.

My wife often jokes about me saying that the words I use

the most in our marriage are “Did you see the…?” or
“Where is the…?” I forget and misplace things all over my
home. I am always asking what to do next, because I don’t
know where the things I need are. But there is something
more that my heart needs, and it has to be my main
treasure, I can’t forget where its place is.

adventconspiracy.org
Today, with so many screens flashing in front of us,
fighting for our attention, and so much information
available, it becomes more difficult to focus on what’s
important to keep in your heart. Too many things have a
little bit of our attention for a short period of time. We
must keep the Gospel above them.

If the Gospel is out of place in the room of our heart, the

whole life becomes a mess. Do not let the Gospel be in your
heart like a forgotten garment in the corner of the room or
under some other object. Make Jesus the foundation, the
walls, and the decoration of your heart.

REFLECT
Whatever you do today, let it emerge from the joy that
comes from meditation and celebration of the good news.
It should be the most visible thing in our lives. Take time
today to treasure this in your heart and ponder what God
has done in your life already.

PRAY
Lord,
Help me to treasure the Gospel as my main thought,
through all my days. May Christ rule over all my
feelings, and give me courage and wisdom to be
your witness. Amen.

adventconspiracy.org
D A Y 19 – M A T T H E W 2 : 1 - 2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the

time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of
the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come
to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-2

“We have come to worship him“ was the reason the Magi
gave as to why they came to see Jesus. They came to
worship a king who had been born, but not just any king, a
king who came to bring change to the world.

How can we worship Jesus while at the same time bringing

change to the world around us? It’s not about a song. It’s
not about a religious ritual. Real worship and real change
happens when we sacrifice. Our faith is increased when we
understand the power of sacrifice.

On a trip to Zimbabwe during the Sunday service I

witnessed the ultimate sacrifice. The time came to take up
an offering which in my mind was an act of futility. With
over 85% unemployment and through the struggles of life
people there were facing, person after person contributed
something to the offering. And they gave with complete

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joy! Not reluctantly or out of guilt. They sacrificed what
they had to participate in the kingdom of God.

Like the Magi, they came to worship him. They came to

worship Jesus and bring a change to the world through
their willingness to sacrifice.

The Magi sacrificed time and personal wealth to worship

Jesus. They honored him with what they had. We may not
have the resources like the Magi, but the value of worship
is not measured by the amount we give, it is measured
by the willingness to present what we have. I am always
struck by the words of the Christmas carol, The Little
Drummer Boy, because all he gave was what he had. He
asked if he could drum for the king.

REFLECT
How will you worship the King this year. What can you
sacrifice to bring change to someone’s life?

PRAY
Jesus,
Help me to have a spirit of worship this Advent season.
Use my resources, my talents, and my gifts to serve others
in Your name. Amen.

adventconspiracy.org
DAY 20 – MATTHEW 2:3-6

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all

Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the
people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked
them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in
Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet
has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means

least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a
ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Matthew 2:3-6

Yesterday we read about the Magi from the East, who, upon
noticing the first Christmas star ornamenting the night sky,
set out on a journey to seek the Messiah and worship Him. In
stark contrast, here we read that when King Herod and “all
Jerusalem” heard about Jesus’ birth, they were “disturbed.”

Disturbed! A big word that in its original Greek can mean

agitated, stirred-up, troubled and afraid.

Isn’t it interesting that you don’t have to look far to see the
same wide spectrum of responses to Jesus’ birth today? You
may not even have to look past your own family to see such
different reactions to Jesus.
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And yet, nobody could argue with Micah’s prophecy, written
some 700 years earlier (Micah 5). Herod demanded answers,
and a voice from the past echoed truth down long corridors
of time. Maybe if Herod had not been so worried about losing
his status, his position, his rule, his perceived control, he
might’ve noticed something sweetly significant in that last
prophetic sentence.

“’…a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

This Ruler is different.

He’s come to lead alright, but in the humblest way. On the list
of “dirty jobs” it doesn’t get much worse than shepherding.
What kind of Ruler loves like this?

REFLECT
These days I’m asking, what am I so worried about losing that
I’d let it keep me from seeking my Messiah and worshiping
Him? What about you? What are you holding onto so hard
that the idea of Jesus ruling your life is, frankly, unsettling?
Disturbing? He wants to feed you, lead you, love and tenderly
care for you.

PRAY
Lord Jesus,
Help me to let go of anything that comes between me and You.
You deserve my wholehearted worship! Amen.

adventconspiracy.org
DAY 21 – MATTHEW 2:7-8

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from
them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them
to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the
child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too
may go and worship him.”

Matthew 2:7-8

The plot is thickening as the anticipation of the coming

savior, Jesus Christ, begins to attract a different audience.
The magnitude of His birth is no longer just for worshipers.
Now someone else is paying attention.

Have you ever noticed that as soon as you’ve focused your

heart on Jesus, how much interference comes your way?
Herod the soon to be originator of a death decree for all
male children under two years old is beginning his quest
with a question and some encouragement. The question is
where is the King Child? The encouragement is go search
carefully for Him. The beginning of treachery is wrapped
around a desire to worship.

Even within the context of evil, God is sovereign.

Herod has no desire to worship the newborn King, Jesus
Christ. Instead he feels threatened by His arrival and

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he implements the treacherous plan to rid Jesus from
the scene.

Can I stop you for a moment because it’s so easy to be

appalled at Herod’s actions to kill off the Savior under the
guise of wanting to worship; however, how’s our
heart when it comes to complete surrender to God?
What are we harboring in our heart? Are we giving Him
our secret struggles?

REFLECT
Worship is a heart issue. The secrets of our heart are
known by God even if they are not articulated by us. Let’s
do the opposite and let nothing be in competition with our
sincere worship to God. We will search carefully for Him
knowing He is to be found.

PRAY
God,
Help us to yield ourselves completely to You in worship.
Let’s come boldly to You knowing You are fully aware of
our brokenness and let us trust You in the midst of our
competing interests. We surrender.

adventconspiracy.org
D AY 2 2 – M AT T H E W 2 : 9 - 12

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and
the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them
until it stopped over the place where the child was.
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming
to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary,
and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they
opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of
gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned
in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their
country by another route.

Matthew 2:9-12

Such familiar words!

Wise men from afar finally found the little family, worshipped
Jesus and presented gifts. I’d have taken nappies, babygros
and blankets plus a casserole for the parents, but I’d have
been wrong. These men were spot on, gold would provide for
that refugee family for two years, frankincense would repel
desert insects from tender infant skin, and myrrh would
serve as baby oil keeping him clean and comfortable.

Practical gifts, but also gifts with the messages we sing

of every year. Gold denotes majesty – this child was born

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King of the Jews, and now reigns in Heaven. Priests used
incense to worship God – this child was God come down
to earth, and now is seated in Heaven. Myrrh was used to
prepare bodies for burial – this child, both King and God,
was born to die – and to rise!

The men wouldn’t fully understand what those gifts

meant, but gave them anyway. Magi, named because they
dealt in magic which was never part of God’s purposes for
His people, and yet they and their gifts were welcomed
and accepted.

This was how God showed the world that all are welcome,
no matter our age, gender, or race, no matter what we
have been, have believed, or have done in the past, Jesus
came for all, and wants all of us to come to Him – He will
accept us.

REFLECT
Have you let the words and promises of Jesus settle into
your heart?

PRAY
Loving God,
You know me and accept me, just as You knew and
accepted the wise men who worshipped Jesus. May that
knowledge so thrill me, that I make time to worship You
daily, giving you the gifts of my love and my life – even
when I don’t fully understand what that may mean. I ask in
Jesus’ name, Amen.
adventconspiracy.org
DAY 23 – GAL ATIANS 4:4-7

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those
under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son
into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since
you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Galatians 4:4-7

God as my Father?

This was such a foreign concept to me when I began to

learn about God. I grew up in a home without a father.
Not just an absent father, but a father that abandoned his
family for another. So the idea of worshipping a God who
said He wanted to be my Father was a bit scary and not
something I was interested in.

As a child and a young adult I struggled with feeling good

enough, worthy of unconditional love and worth sticking
around for. I made terrible life choices that continued to
feed into that mindset.

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But as I came face to face with God and His heart and
desires for me, my life was changed!

God began to do things in my life that were so full of love,

forgiveness, and hope that I couldn’t help but want to know
Him more. As I studied God’s word and was loved on by
God’s people, I saw His unconditional love for me. The love
of a Father that I had always desired. He began to heal the
deep wounds in my life and show me where His goodness
was in all those times I was completely hopeless and
broken.

And today I stand on the truth in Galatians 4:7- “..you are

no longer a slave but God’s own child.” I am no longer a
slave/victim to the brokenness I grew up in, but I am a
victor IN Christ!

I challenge you today to look at your life.

REFLECT
What has God freed you from? What are the beautiful
inheritances He is sharing with you as His child?

PRAY
Father,
Thank you for being my Dad! Thank you for your
unconditional love for me. I love you! Amen.

adventconspiracy.org
DAY 24 – ISAIAH 9:6-7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his
kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and
with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

It’s hard to imagine, in this day of polarity in politics, a

government so amazing that we would consider good news
the fact that it would never end. Can you picture an earthly
kingdom characterized by justice and righteousness –
always and forever? It’s a stretch, isn’t it?

When we consider some of the most successful kingdoms

throughout the Earth’s history, with the happiest subjects,
the fairest laws, the lowest taxes… all have eventually
proven flawed by the corruption of power and ambition,
weak or greedy leaders, restless, rebellious people or some
combination of our universal brokenness.

adventconspiracy.org
No matter how good a government may seem for a time,
it’s clear that mere humans, even with the best intentions,
have never been/will never be able to accomplish this
sort of ideal civilization. It’s impossible. Only God could
accomplish this.

But look at the good news of this passage: that’s just

what God did!

Through the birth of this one babe, this child, God

established His Kingdom – overflowing with justice,
righteousness and peace with no end, and ruled by
the most Wonderful Counselor, the Mightiest God, the
Everlasting Father, and Prince of all Peace.

There is one more name for this perfect King, the ruler of
this shockingly perfect eternal kingdom. It is “Jesus” and
we don’t have to wait for some distant future in which He
will reign. No, King Jesus reigns now and forever.

If you are a subject of King Jesus, living in His kingdom and

under His authority, you already know the goodness of His
reign. If not, you are invited to join Him, to be a part of the
beautiful Kingdom where justice, righteousness and peace
will never end.

What are you waiting for?

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REFLECT
If you are a subject of King Jesus, in what ways do you
experience His reign every day? Are there areas of your
life in which you struggle to submit to His authority?
If you have not called Jesus your King, what causes you
to hesitate? Ask God to reveal Himself and His Kingdom
to you today.

PRAY
Jesus,
Thank You for Your government and Kingdom, which has
only ever been and will always be for my good. Thank You
for inviting me to be a part of Your glorious Kingdom. Help
me to submit to Your authority in every part of my life so
that I may increasingly experience Your reign of justice,
righteousness and peace unending. I ask in Your name,
Jesus, my King.

adventconspiracy.org
DAY 25 – JOHN 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we
have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the
Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

As a teen, Christmas was often followed by a few days

outdoors with the guys: knee deep in snow, no cabin or
tents, just a spruce bough lean-to deep in the woods. With
-3°F/-19.4°C weather, we were never far from the fire
where meals were cooked and hands and toes warmed.
Years have passed and it is only the fellowship of those
days that I miss.

Our text from John 1 reminds us that although Jesus was

the only begotten Son of God, the eternal and living Word,
He chose to come and dwell with us.

The Greek word that we so preciously translate as dwelt

among us reminds us that He ‘tabernacled with us’ or as
it has been put, Jesus has pitched His tent with us. He’s
taking up residence.

From here He experienced life in every way as we know

it and through all of those experiences the glory and

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grace of God shown through. No matter how humble our
circumstances, how desperate our lives, this truth remains:
God is with us and His grace and glory will shine through.

It may be difficult to see or imagine but He is there.

Into a rough straw hewn manger came One from glory to

save the world, to save us. Jesus has known our hunger,
our cold, smelled the smoke from our fires, and shared
fellowship with friends. It is that intimate fellowship
that He longs to experience with us once more. It is that
fellowship that we need now more than anything else. It is
that fellowship that makes this season Christmas.

REFLECT
Where in the midst of this Christmas Day do you need to
find Jesus most? Where do you long for His fellowship? Try
to picture Him already there.

PRAY
Lord,
Meet us where we are today and draw us nearer to
your heart. Help us never to forget that You dwell among
us and You long for fellowship with us. May we notice
You today. Amen.

adventconspiracy.org