The beginning of the church calendar year has begun! We have entered the season of Advent 2020. A season where we once again begin a time of waiting, preparing, anticipating and watching. A season that ends with the celebration of the birth of Jesus. A time for some to recommit to being faithful followers of Jesus. A time for some to say yes for the very first time to become faithful followers of Jesus.
Each Advent season, for my personal devotional time, as the Holy Spirit leads, I select a scripture and a hymn that corresponds to the four weeks of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. I offer this to you as you journey through this season of Advent.
Week One: Hope
Scripture: Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
Hymn: My Hope Is Built (UMH #368 verses 1 and 3)
1. My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other
ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
3. His oath, his covenant, his blood support me in the whelming flood. When all around my
Soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other
ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
Week Two: Peace
Scripture: John 14:27 Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
Hymn: It Is Well with My Soul (UMH #377 verses 1 and 4)
1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrow like seas billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. It is well, with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
4. And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back like a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul. It is well,
with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
Week Three: Joy
Scripture: John 15:10-12 Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”
Hymn: I Come with Joy (UMH #617 verses 1 and 4)
1. I come with joy to meet my Lord, forgiven, loved and free, in awe and wonder to recall his life laid down for me, his life laid down for me.
4. And thus with joy we meet our Lord, His presence, always near, is in such friendship better
known; we see and praise him here, we see and praise him here.
Week Four: Love
Scripture: Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Hymn: Love Came Down at Christmas (UMH #242 all verses)
1. Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.
2. Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine; worship we our Jesus, but where-with for sacred sign.
3. Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine; love to God and all neighbors, love for plea and gift and sign.
May this season of Advent bring to you, your family, your neighbors, your churches and your communities, a time of waiting, preparing, anticipating and watching. Even though this Advent and Christmas season will be different due to the pandemic, celebrating the birth of Jesus once again will not change. As faithful followers of Jesus, we have the hope, peace, joy and love that only comes from Jesus Christ!
Rejoicing in the birth of Jesus,
Suzanne
