Advent 2024: Introduction

[Note: I will be sending out a daily Advent devotional beginning December 1 through Christmas. I pray you will enjoy some time each day to focus on the reason for the season as we meditate on the Word of God together.]

To be human is to understand what it means to fear. The smallest child is afraid when the lights turn off at night. The most famous rock star is driven by fear of rejection from their adoring fans. Fear keeps us from the Thanksgiving dinner table (or perhaps fuels the shouting match after the pumpkin pie is served). Fear causes us to stockpile our houses with toilet paper and water bottles “just in case.” Fear elevates and prolongs our anxiety or our shame as we choose to avoid addressing our mistakes - and the mistakes of others - out of concern that we’ll only make things worse.

The season of Advent helps us long for a different reality: one ruled by peace rather than fear. For the Son of God was born into our tribulation, despair, and fear not just to comfort us but to bring about an end to whatever terrifies us most.

This is why the psalmist can assert, “We will not fear, though the earth gives way.”

It’s why one of Jesus’ common refrains is “Fear not.”

It’s why Paul proclaims that the peace of God guards and rules over the hearts of his people.

The Prince of Peace comes to live for us, die for us, and rise for us. In doing so, he overcomes death itself, cleanses us of our sin, defeats the evil one, and makes us righteous. Through faith in our Savior, born Immanuel, we cannot be rejected, we have nothing to be ashamed of, and we have the promise of life everlasting. In Christ alone, fear is exchanged for peace.

We pray, whether you use this as a personal devotional or in a group setting, that these Scripture passages and reflections on the good news of God’s peace strengthen your faith in the only one who can answer our dread, the one who willingly entered a fearful and terrified world as an innocent and helpless babe and by which the angels proclaimed: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. You are permitted to use the accompanying 2024 Advent and Christmas Sermon Guide or the Digital Download of this Advent 2024 Devotional in your church or ministry for free, as long as you do not charge for any of the 2024 1517 Advent Resources, or use them for any commercial purpose.

Advent © 2024 1517
All rights reserved