Advent is a season of preparation and waiting for the celebration of
Jesus's birth. The word, advent, means "coming" or "arrival."
God's prophecies in the Old Testament prepared the way for a Savior.
Each year, believers participate in Advent as a way to hit the
"pause" button in a busy life so as celebrate Christ's birth and
prepare for His return.
The following is a guide that combines Advent verses and daily
challenges. I put this guide together for our family. I stole the
concept from a friend who has been doing with with her boys for years.
It's a way for our family to prepare for the Christmas season even though we
are in different cities and on different schedules.
The verses were chosen because they focus on hope/encouragement and
thanksgiving. Likewise, I added a challenge (which I found on the Internet) to
each day to try to reinforce the verses. If you would like to
"steal" this calendar, have at it. As I did last year, I am
challenging myself to write and reflect on each day's verses. Rather than just
read the verses, I am hoping to immerse myself in God's Word and prepare
my heart for Christmas.
December 1:
Isaiah 41:10 “Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged,
for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with
my victorious right hand.”
Psalm 107:1 “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love
endures forever.”
Challenge: Each day until Christmas, write down five things that you
are thankful for. It’s best to do it in
the morning, so you can think about it all day.
Either way, always find five specific things for which you are
thankful.
December 2:
Deuteronomy 31:6 “So be strong
and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD
your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon
you."
Ephesians 4:7 “However, he has
given each one of us a special gift [talent] through the generosity of Christ.”
Challenge: Hold the door open for someone today. It is a polite and
thoughtful act you can easily do. Those around you will certainly appreciate
your good manners.
December 3:
Micah 7:7 “As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently
for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.”
Psalm 75:1 “We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near.
People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.”
Challenge: Call someone whom you have not talking with in a while.
December 4:
I Corinthians 10:13 “The temptations in your life are no different from
what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation
to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out
so that you can endure.”
Lamentations 3:23 “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh
each morning.”
Challenge: Eat a meal with someone new. Wherever you are, you may have
a specific group of people who you enjoy hanging out with at lunch, between
classes, after school, or on the weekends. Who can you invite to join you?
December 5:
Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation--so why should I be
afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I
tremble?”
Isaiah 12:4 “In that wonderful day you will sing: "Thank the LORD!
Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he
is!”
Challenge: Let someone go in front of you today. Nearly every day we
encounter a situation where we are required to wait in line. It can often be a
frustrating and tedious situation that causes people to become irritable and
impatient. Being patient and letting someone go first makes that person’s day a
little better, and is simply a considerate gesture.
December 6:
James 1:5-7 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But
when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is
like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That
person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”
James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from
the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Challenge: Send a note of appreciation. Take a few minutes out of your
day today to write a note of appreciation to someone you haven't thanked in a
while- anyone who you feel needs a bit of a pick me up. Once you’ve
brainstormed your thoughts, write them neatly in card you’ve chosen, or just
send an email.
December 7:
Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has
also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a]
no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Psalm 20:4 “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your
plans succeed.”
Challenge: Start a piggy bank for a specific cause. Keep your spare
change in a piggy bank and when it is full, donate it to a cause or charity of
your choice. Throughout the day it is common to accrue spare change that
usually ends up in the bottom of your pockets or bag. At the end of every day,
gather your spare change and store it in a piggy bank or jar. A few coins here
and there don’t seem to be much, but over time, it can really add up. When your
piggy bank is full, take the money and donate it to a good cause or charity
organization.
December 8:
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 16Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by
day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for
us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix
our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is
temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Psalm 34:19 “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
Challenge: Ask if you can help. Many people find it quite difficult to
ask someone for help. They feel that they are inconveniencing the other person
or "unloading" on them. The next time you see someone who looks down
or frustrated, offer to help them. Simply ask how you could help make a
situation better.
December 9:
Joshua 1:9 “9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever
you go.”
Philippians 2:14-15 “14 Do everything without grumbling
or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure,
“children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a]
Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”
Challenge: Do something anonymously. Perform one act of kindness but nobody can know you did it. You may not tell anyone and if someone finds out you did it, it doesn't count and you have to do something else. You learn not only charity and kindness but humility as well.
December 10:
Hebrews 13:8 “8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Psalm 121: 1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Challenge: Pay it forward. Keep extra change in your car - 99 cents to $2.00. That’s typically how much a small frosty or shake is. Local fast food places will like it because it helps promote their items. That’s just one example. Whatever you do, do it with no strings attached.
December 11:
John 14:27 “27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Matthew 28: 18-20 “18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Challenge: Help a co-worker. If you know that one of your coworkers has a huge work load or big project to finish, offer to help. You will be amazed how quickly the work will get done with both of you working on it!
December 12:
Romans 8:38-9 “38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
James 1:17 “17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Challenge: Leave a book for someone else. It should be a book you have read and enjoyed. Leave it for someone else to enjoy; perhaps, even write in it that you have left it for them and they should leave it when they have finished.
December 13:
Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
I Thessalonians 5:18 “8 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Challenge: Be a grateful person today. Thank five people today for something specific, even for the little things.
December 14:
John 14:1-3 “14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe
in God[a];
believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that
were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for
you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Psalm 40:1-2 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He
lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a
rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
Challenge: Smile at five
strangers today. A sincere smile can really make a positive difference in
someone’s day.· Without saying a word you are letting that person know
that you see them and that they matter. People appreciate being noticed and
acknowledged! ·As Plato once said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is
fighting a hard battle.” Encourage five strangers today by giving them each a
smile!
December 15:
Lamentations 3:25 “The Lord
is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;”
John 11:41 ““Father, I thank you that you have heard me.”
Challenge: Study with a classmate. School often can be very stressful.
Finding the motivation to study or trying to score high grades can be a
challenge. Studying with a friend can be a great solution and much-needed
encouragement.
December 16:
John 16:33 “33 “I have told you these things, so that in
me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world.”
Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Challenge: Compliment someone. Whenever you see someone wearing a nice
outfit or jewelry, give her/him a compliment. This always brings a smile to
their face and gives you a nice feeling. It's a little thing but can really
light up someone's day when they are feeling down.
December 17:
Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Acts 20:35 “35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of
hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself
said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Challenge: Call a grandparent. Spending time with a grandparent is a
great way to learn about your heritage, your family history and even about
yourself. You don’t have to live nearby to have a strong relationship with
grandparents either. A simple phone call or a letter every now and then can be
a way to stay in touch, even if you live far away from them.
December 18:
Romans 8:31 “31 What, then, shall we say in response to
these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Philippians 4:6 “6 Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God.”
Challenge: Write a letter to someone who has made a difference in your
life. "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from
another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who
have lighted the flame within us." -Albert Schweitzer. Has someone made a
difference in your life? Maybe it’s a teacher or professor who made a
difference in your education; a coach who believed in you and inspired you to
do your best. Maybe that person is a grandparent who raised you or a mentor who
helped you choose your career path. Why not tell that person in a letter or
card how they have inspired you?
December 19:
Psalm 16:8 “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Colossians 3:17 “17 And whatever you do, whether in
word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through him.”
Challenge: Leave a confidence sticky note. Leave sticky notes with
inspirational messages on them in random places, such as a grocery store shelf,
the mirror in a public bathroom, or on a car's windshield.
December 20:
Hosea 12:6 “But you must return to God; maintain love and justice, and
wait for God always.”
Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord,
for he is good. His love endures forever.”
Challenge: Bring your co-workers a special treat. Small surprises and
tokens of your appreciation spread throughout the year help the people in your
workplace feel valued. Surprise your coworkers with donuts, cookies or a
homemade treat.
December 21:
James 1:2-4 “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love him, who[a]
have been called according to his purpose.”
Challenge: Be someone’s cheerleader today. You can always see someone
who needs encouragement. Be the
encourager.
December 22:
Psalm 37:4 “Take delight in the Lord, and
he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 39:7 ““But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”
Challenge: Share something today with someone else – even and
especially if you don’t want to.
December 23:
Matthew 11:28-30 “"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 “But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient
for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast
all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on
me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in
insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak,
then I am strong.”
Challenge: Do the task no one else wants to do. There is always one. A servant’s heart is invaluable. Not only does it teach humility; it also
shows others a better way to live.
December 24:
Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path
of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal
pleasures at your right hand.”
Philippians 1:9-11 “9 I pray that your love will
overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and
understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really
matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of
Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of
your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ[b]—for
this will bring much glory and praise to God.”
Challenge: Be in the moment all day today. Hug, listen, laugh, and celebrate. There will never be another day or another
moment just like this one.
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