Advent Devotions

Hope is rooted in promise, not circumstances.

In this passage, Jesus speaks of cosmic signs—sun, moon, and stars trembling, nations in anguish, and the sea roaring. These are images that stir fear and uncertainty. Yet amid the turmoil, Jesus calls His followers to lift up their heads, because redemption is drawing near.

This is the paradox of Advent hope. It does not deny the darkness, but it refuses to be defined by it. The world may shake, but God's promises stand firm. Our hope is not based on how things look or feel, but on the sure word of the Lord who is coming again.

Jesus urges us to stay awake, to be watchful, to live expectantly. Advent invites us to realign our hearts—not with the headlines, but with heaven. Even when the night is longest, the morning of Christ’s return draws nearer.

A pregnant mother feels the aches and discomforts of waiting. There are days when she’s tired, days when she can’t sleep, and days when nothing feels normal. Her world has changed—but she keeps preparing, keeps hoping. Why? Because she knows new life is on the way.

She doesn’t base her hope on how she feels today, but on the promise of what’s to come. Even in the discomfort, she gets the nursery ready. She counts down the weeks. She waits—not passively, but with purpose.

Advent is like that. Jesus told His followers not to be weighed down by fear or worry, but to watch and pray (Luke 21:36), to live in readiness. The signs of the times may feel like contractions—unsettling and painful—but they point to something greater: the coming of new life, the arrival of the kingdom, the return of Christ.

Just like the expectant mother, we live with hope not because everything feels okay, but because we trust the promise.

Prayer:

Lord, make me faithful as I watch for your coming. Teach me to anchor my hope in your promises, not in passing circumstances. Help me live each day awake, alert, and confident in your redeeming love. Amen.