Advent: Day Twenty Five – Savior
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the...
Advent: Day Twenty Four – Light of the World
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” —John 8:12 (NRSV)
Advent: Day Twenty Three – Mediator
For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all…. —1 Timothy 2:5–6 (NRSV)
Advent: Day Twenty Two – Emmanuel
All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”...
Advent: Day Twenty One – Prince of Peace
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6 (NRSV)
Advent: Day Twenty – Resurrection + Life
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” —John...
Advent: Day Nineteen – Stranger
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and...
Advent: Day Eighteen – Pioneer + Perfecter
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,...
Advent: Day Seventeen – Advocate
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice...
Advent: Day Sixteen – Healer
Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News...
Advent: Day Fifteen – Redeemer
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth. —Job 19:25 (NRSV)
Advent: Day Fourteen – Lamb of God
The next day [John] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” —John 1:29 (ESV)
Advent: Day Thirteen – King of Kings
He…is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor...
Advent: Day Twelve – The Way
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen...
Advent: Day Eleven – Beloved
“Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.” —Matthew 12:18 (NRSV)
Advent: Day Ten – Friend
“I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from...
Advent: Day Nine – Teacher
The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. —Mark 1:22 (NIV)
Advent: Day Eight – Vine
“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide...
Advent: Day Seven – Man of Sorrows
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. —Isaiah 53:3 (ESV)
Advent: Day Six – Everlasting Father
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6 (NRSV)
Advent: Day Five – Sower
“A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them…some seeds fell on a footpath….other seeds fell on shallow soil….other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was...
Advent: Day Four – Bread of Life
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” —John 6:35 (NRSV)
Advent: Day Three – Good Shepherd
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold....
Advent: Day Two – Messiah
The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.” ––John...
Advent: Day One – The Word of God
Words have power, for better or for worse.
Fleeing Persecution and Proclaiming Christ
As a Muslim living in a Middle Eastern country, Sarah’s newfound belief in Christ was met with much persecution. When her brother found out about her decision to become a Christ follower, he...