Advent Devotional Guide 2013

Advent may seem like an antiquated tradition. For perpetuity, churches have integrated the Advent wreath and Scripture into December church services, and some families incorporate special Advent activities and gifts into their Christmas seasons. The bottom line is that people expect Advent because it is a Christmas tradition. It doesn’t necessarily follow that they understand the significance and meaning.


Last year, I put together an Advent devotional guide. I used verses from an Advent pamphlet I had acquired, and I added some random acts of kindness to it. The guide was very dissatisfying to me as the verses were random, disjointed, and abbreviated; furthermore, there was no explanation about them. I definitely should have put more thought and effort into it.


Over the past month, I have been researching and re-tooling this year’s guide. I have been thinking and praying about each week’s focus, I have been scouring Scripture, and I have been working to find a meaningful, thematic (you can’t shut the English teacher off) connection between Scripture, music, and action. Scripture is such a gold mine that it hasn’t been a chore. In short, this has been an intense experience, but this guide is a labor of love to my Savior. If you benefit from it too, it’s double blessing. 


Advent, in its most simplistic form, means anticipation. First, we remember, celebrate, and as part of that process, anticipate, when Christ was born and experienced what it means to be human. Secondly, we remember, celebrate, and of course, anticipate Christ’s ultimate return. For this reason, I have included two sets of verses for each day in Advent. The first verse traces Christ’s journey to and through birth. The second verse provides direction, encouragement, hope, and action as we anticipate Christ’s return.


For me, music is a very personal way to reinforce God’s promises and lessons. I am not especially proud to admit this, but when I am feeling low or in trouble, a song will come to mind before a verse will. On the plus side, many of the songs, traditional hymn or its contemporary equivalent on KLOVE, are based on Bible verses, so it’s like I get a two-for-one. Due to this, I have also included two songs as part of each day’s lesson. One is (not surprisingly) a Christmas song/hymn, which reinforces the first Advent verse. The second is a traditional or modern hymn, which reinforces the second Advent verse of the day.


Lastly, God’s Word is alive; it is a living and breathing, and so should our response be in reading it. Thus, I have also included an easy (as in, it can be done in a course of a busy day during the Christmas season) and practical way to demonstrate and reinforce the Advent lesson.  I plan to write about each day throughout the season. If you want to follow along, great. If you would like to use the guide on your own, I hope it blesses you.


Week 1: Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor


The juxtaposition of the two words, Wonderful Counselor, suggests a confidant and guide whose wisdom and competency is beyond human comprehension. “Wonderful” does not have the Lawrence Welk-type connotation (“wunnerful, wunnerful”). It means “to fill with wonder and awe” because He is beyond our scope of imagination and experience.  He is a Wonderful Counselor because He is the ultimate Counselor; He totally gets it. He understands the human experience because He was one of us.  Therefore, we can trust Him and His advice because it is credible and true. He provides a light in the fog.  


December 1:
B.C (Birth of Christ) Verse 1: John 1: 1-5                                
A.D (Anticipated Deliverance) Verse 2: Acts 13: 47    
Christmas hymn: “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
Hymn for today: “Light Up the Sky” by the Afters

Daily Challenge: Eat lunch with someone new today.

December 2:
B.C Verse 1: Isaiah 9:2-7                                                                               
A.D Verse 2: Colossians 1:16; I Corinthians 4:5                    
CH: “What Child is This?”
HFT: “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee”

Daily Challenge: Praise someone today. Say something nice and encouraging.

December 3:
B.C Verse 1: Isaiah 11: 1-10                                                         
A.D Verse 2: Ephesians 6: 10-18                                                                
CH: “O Come O Come Immanuel”
HFT: “Build Your Kingdom Here” by Rend Collective Experiment

Daily Challenge: Bring someone a treat today.

December 4:
B.C Verse 1: Jeremiah 33: 14-16                                                
A.D Verse 2: Psalm 71: 14-16                                                      
CH: “I Wonder as I Wander”
HFT: “My Hope is You” by Third Day

Daily Challenge: Listen to someone today. No, put away the phone, shut the TV off. . .listen.

December 5:
B. C Verse 1: Luke 1: 5-10                                             
A.D Verse 2: Matthew 6:33; Luke 18:27                                 
CH: “O Come All Ye Faithful”
HFT: “How Great Thou Art”, “Lift My Life Up” by Unspoken                                                                                                         

Daily Challenge: Write a letter or note today to someone who has made a difference/impacted your life.

December 6:
B. C Verse 1: Luke 1: 11-17                                                          
A.D Verse 2: Joshua 1:5-9; Psalm 56: 3-4                               
CH: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
HFT: “We Won’t Be Shaken” by Building 429

Daily Challenge: Become an organ donor. Do it today; don’t put it off for tomorrow.

December 7:
B.C Verse 1: Luke 1: 18-25                                                           
A.D Verse 2: Psalm 37: 3-7a; Psalm 20:4                                
CH: “Good Christian Men, Rejoice”
HFT: “Standing on the Promises” , “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless

Daily Challenge: Be kind/do something kind for someone today whom you generally dislike.

Week 2: Jesus, the Mighty God

Since Jesus is Mighty (with a capital M), He is, in fact, ABLE to do all that He says in His word. He has the power and ability to fulfill all of His promises and all of our needs. Likewise, he is fully God. He is Jesus, who is separate, only, and distinct - apart from all other gods, and yet, in spite of His supremacy, He chose to live among us and as a servant.  The evidence of His Might and position is His wisdom in teaching (not only what He taught, but how He taught it) and His miracles. It is evidenced by the fact that He endured temptations and ultimately that He conquered death. And He did all this humbly and selflessly, with a true servant’s heart, so that He could extend grace to us and offer us (who are terminally selfish) a home in heaven with Him.

December 8:
B.C. Verse 1: Luke 1: 26-28                                                          
A.D Verse 2: Hebrews 10:35                                                       
CH: “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)” by Amy Grant
HFT: “Have Thine Own Way” , “I Will Follow” by Chris Tomlin

Daily Challenge: Let someone go in line in front of you today.

December 9:
B.C Verse 1: Matthew 1: 18-21                                                  
A.D Verse 2: Romans 8: 28, 31                                                   
CH: “Mary’s Boy Child”
HFT: “Trust and Obey” , “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns

Daily Challenge: Give someone the benefit of the doubt today. Trust him/her.

December 10:
B.C Verse 1: Matthew 1: 22-26                                                  
A.D Verse 2: John 14: 21; John 15: 10-11                                
CH: “Emanuel, God with Us” by Amy Grant
HFT: “God With Us” by MercyMe

Daily Challenge: Cook a meal for someone today, or if you don’t cook, don’t let someone eat alone.

December 11:
B.C Verse 1: Luke 1: 39-45                                                           
A.D Verse 2: Galatians 3:14; 1 Peter 3:13                               
“Away in a Manger”
“10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman  

Daily Challenge: Donate something (and not junk you want to unload) today. . .a book, blood, clothes,etc

December 12:
B.C Verse 1: Luke 1:46-56                                                            
A.D Verse 2: Psalm 139; Revelations 4: 8b                            
CH: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
HFT: “Revelation Song” by Phillips, Craig and Dean

Daily Challenge: Adopt a soldier overseas today and sent him/her something – a note, package, etc.

December 13:
B.C Verse 1: Luke 2: 1-5                                                                                
A.D Verse 2: 2 Corinthians 5:6-7; Isaiah 41:10                      
CH: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
HFT: “It is Well With my Soul”

Daily Challenge: Complain less today. Every time you feel a “whine” coming on, smile.
December 14:
B.C Verse 1: Luke 2: 6-7                                                                                
A.D Verse 2: 1 Peter 1:13-16                                                       
CH: “Silent Night”
HFT: “He is With Us” by Love and the Outcome

Daily Challenge: Mail a handwritten card or note today to the first person you thought of when you read this.

Week 3: Jesus, the Everlasting Father


Every one of us has one. . .a father, and for good or ill, he has influenced our lives. Our Father is everything a father was intended to be and should be. We can put 100% trust In Him because He is not only able to meet our needs; He is WILLING and wants to meet our needs. Thus, He provides for us, and He cares for and about us. He teaches us about appropriate and inappropriate behavior by setting limits and teaching decision-making by allowing us to experience all consequences, both good and bad. He is tough on the outside, but tender on the inside. Best of all, He loves us no. matter. what. Mistakes and successes alike, His love is the same, unchanging, timeless, and endless.


December 15:
B.C Verse 1: Luke 2: 8-12                                                              
A.D Verse 2: John 16: 33                                                               
CH: “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”
HFT: “What A Savior” by Laura Story

Daily Challenge: Do something anonymously for someone today who works in a service profession.

December 16:
B.C Verse 1: Luke 2: 13-14                                                           
A.D Verse 2: Philippians 2:9-11                                                  
CH: “Angels We Have Heard on High”
HFT: “To God Be the Glory”, “He Reigns” by Newsboys

Daily Challenge: Write a specific, positive comment today on someone’s FB wall, Twitter comment, or blog.

December 17:
B.C Verse 1: Luke 2: 15-18                                                           
A.D Verse 2: Psalm 9:1b-2; Psalm 40:5                                    
CH: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
HFT: “Amazed” by Kutless

Daily Challenge: Spend some time at an animal shelter today or make a donation ($ or goods) to one. 

December 18:
B.C Verse 1: Luke 2: 19-20                                                           
A.D Verse 2: Philippians 1: 9-11                                                
CH: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
HFT: “All This Time” by Britt Nicole

Daily Challenge: Do something for a neighbor today.

December 19:
B.C Verse 1: Micah 5: 2-5                                                             
A.D Verse 2: John 21: 15-19                                                        
CH: “Little Drummer Boy”
HFT: “Savior, Like a Shepherd”

Daily Challenge: Replace what you use today (Ex. New toilet paper roll, a replacement soda or water, copy paper)

December 20:
B.C Verse 1: Matthew 2: 1-2                                                       
A.D Verse 2: Psalm 43:3; Romans 13:12                                 
CH: “We Three Kings”
HFT: “The Light in Me” by Brandon Heath

Daily Challenge: Pick up trash today; put recyclable items in the proper containers.

December 21:
B.C Verse 1: Matthew 2: 3-6                                                       
A.D Verse 2: Hebrews 13: 20; 1 Peter 5:4; John 10: 11-16
CH: “O Worship the King”
HFT: “Father Blessed Father” by Newsboys

Daily Challenge: Give someone elderly a gift today. . .a visit, play music for him/her, read to him/her.

Week 4: Jesus, the Prince of Peace


Just as a prince is a member of the royal family, the Prince is fully God, and yet, He makes it possible for us to be friends with the King through the Holy Spirit. He wants to show us and help us to be on God’s “good” side – how to please the King. Likewise, as the embodiment of Peace, He brings calm in life’s trials, helps us to reconcile with each other, and is the ultimate end to ALL conflicts. He will restore His Peace, and that is ultimately what we anticipate.


December 22:
B.C Verse 1: Matthew 2: 7-8                                                       
A.D Verse 2: I Peter 1: 3-7                                                           
CH: “Do You Hear What I Hear”
HFT: “Overcomer” by Mandisa

Daily Challenge: Pay it forward today. You and God decide together what it is.

December 23:
B.C Verse 1: Matthew 2: 9-12                                                    
A.D Verse 2: Romans 12: 4-8                                                      
CH: “Christmas Shoes”
HFT: “Live Like That” by Sidewalk Prophets

Daily Challenge: Volunteer. No more talking about doing it. No more thinking about it. Pick an organization or task today and commit to it. Tell someone else whom you know will help you be accountable.

December 24:
B.C Verse 1: John 1:14                                                                   
A.D Verse 2: Ephesians 2:8-10 and 5:8-10
CH: “O Holy Night”                          
HFT: ”Holy Holy Holy” , “O Praise Him” by David Crowder Band

Daily Challenge: Go to church tonight. When there, be there. Discipline your mind to celebrate Christ’s birth. Don’t worry about dinner, gifts, or relatives. Before you leave, hug someone, and don’t let go until s/he does.

Missy Aaker                                                                                                                                      
22 November 2013

What Drives You?

Are you the "go" pedal or the brake? In other words, are you the one who usually says, "YES! Let's do this!" or are you the one who typically says, "Um, I don't know if that's such a good idea." I suppose it's not fair to classify a person as one or the other because a person's reaction can be situational. However, all of us possess a natural propensity toward one or the other. It seems as though most relationships have one of each in them..

At our house, I'm usually the "go" pedal while Mike is the brake. Yep, I kind of figured that you might be surprised by that. In fact, the joke with the kids is that if they ask Mike a question, they already know the answer, which is "no." They used to get really mad about that, but now, they just expect it. As I explained to them, Dad usually says no because he needs some time to think it through.  If he says "yes" right away, he might get himself locked into something out of which he cannot escape.

When it comes to trips and new adventures, I tend to be the "go" pedal. Should we join the Y? Yes!  Should we go to Ecuador on a mission trip? Yes! Should we do a Color Run? Yes! There are really two areas of my life in which I tend to be the brake. One is vehicles. (Should we buy a different vehicle? NO!)

The other is church.

No, it's not because I am negative and legalistic. It's because when it comes to matters regarding church (or for that matter, social changes in the larger, secular society), I believe that once we let something go, it's nearly impossible to get it back again. Depending on the situation, that can be a good thing, but it can also be devastating.

What's the big deal about church? Why even bother getting worked about it? Why should we even care? After all, the most important consideration is a person's faith - his/her personal relationship with God. If church is just going to be an impediment in a person's faith walk, then skip it.  Apparently, many Americans feel the same way. A poll recently stated that 76% of Americans reported that they were Christians while the same poll revealed that 43% of Americans claim to go to church regularly. Clearly, there is a disconnect. However, there are a few reasons why this philosophy doesn't work.

First, if you claim to be a Christian, and you really are one, then going to church is not a chore. One of my children and I had this discussion not too long ago. One of my kids had been working too many Sundays in a row to the point that the person was not able to attend church. I called the kid out on it, and naturally, it resulted in a rather heated discussion. At one point, the kid was on the defensive and said, "You don't have to go to church to be a Christian."

I think I surprised my child by saying, "I agree. You do not have to go to church to be a Christian." I continued by saying, "However, if you are really in a relationship with God, going to church is something you want to do, not something you have to do."

Our sole purpose is to bring glory to God; it is our reason for existence. Part of that worship is worship. . .with other believers. (Hebrews 10:25). And speaking of others, we are expected to gather to gather to encourage and equip each other for the second reason of our existence - to go, to love on others, and make disciples for Christ. (I Peter 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

All righty then. That makes church sound like a happy Disney musical. However, that fantasy is. . .well, a fantasy. The truth is that believers who attend church are there for a variety of reasons, but the bottom line is that those who attend church do so by choice.

Even so, believers who attend church are also human - flawed, emotional, and whether one wants to admit it or not, completely self-involved. From birth to death, we fight that one, generally unsuccessfully, I might add, which is why we need God's grace. And since we are flawed, in spite of our best intentions, conflict does arise in churches.

This particular topic, with particular regard to the church of which I am a member, First Covenant, ebbs and flows in my mind. The situation at FCC can best be described as a wobbly stool. For example, when a person sits on a wobbly stool, it becomes clear fairly quickly that something isn't right. To fix it, a person can wad something up under one of the legs to try to stabilize it, or just sit still to keep it from wobbling, but it doesn't change the fact that something is out of whack. No matter what "band-aid" approach a person takes to amend the problem, the fact is that a slight shift of weight reminds the person that the problem isn't fixed.

Sunday's service was one such "weight shift" of the wobbly stool. Throughout the week, I have been privy to various discussions regarding it, and so I have been digesting, dissecting, and awaiting God's divining. To explain, when it comes to the various issues of church conflict, people on both sides of the issues feel strongly that their opinions and subsequent decisions are faith-based. I am no different. I have asked God for wisdom - to show me the truth. I will gladly be His passionate advocate, but my worst fear that I would be passionately wrong and working against His purposes and plan.

All this was on my mind today while I was running my revolutions around the track at the Y. I still hadn't come to any conclusions, so I started thinking about people and what motivates them. Any time we get emotional - mad, sad, happy, etc, there is an impetus, something that fuels our actions and reactions, and finally, I had a revelation as to how to be discerning with regard to the conflicts.

Here it is. . . There are only two motivations for anything in life: Self or God. Period. End of story.

Thus, in the case of church conflict (where both sides claim altruistic, faith-based decision-making), the heart of the issue to be examined (and examined to the finest degree) is the true motivation.

For example, if a conflict erupts between two members who are on opposite ends of a church issue, and one of the members makes inflammatory personal remarks about the other's level of faith, it seems pretty clear that his/her motivation is not Godly. First, making the issue personal is a pretty good indication that s/he is on the defensive, which is clearly is tied to self. Secondly, s/he is not following the Biblical model of conflict resolution. Thus, if the Bible/God is not the motivator, it seems pretty clear who is.

I realize that this is a fairly generic, simplistic example, but I think you get the idea. A person who is truly of the faith will not only be in the Word and regularly praying; even people with mediocre or lukewarm faith do that. A person who is truly of the faith will make it a priority to tune his/her ear to God's voice and will act and speak according to God's leading and prompting. If s/he disciplines to live his/her life accordingly, his/her motivations will stem from the only root that gives life. Period.

Thus, it really, ultimately does not matter if one is the "go" pedal or the brake. The only thing that truly matters is the driver. You see, the driver controls the leg that is attached to the foot that compresses one pedal or the other. In short, the leg, foot, and ultimately, the direction of the vehicle are all controlled by the decisions of the driver. Thus, it seems as though selecting the right Driver is bigger, more important priority.