ADVENT

WHAT IS ADVENT?

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

Reflection

Advent marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year and is a season that prepares us for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming" or "arrival." During this time, Christians around the world prepare their hearts and minds to welcome Christ into the world once more, reflecting on both His first coming in Bethlehem and His promised return in glory.

The season of Advent invites us into a time of anticipation, longing, and hopeful waiting. Just as the people of Israel awaited the Messiah’s arrival with longing hearts, we too prepare ourselves spiritually, awaiting the return of Christ. Advent is not only a time of remembrance, but it is also a time of renewal — reminding us of God’s faithfulness and of the promise of peace, joy, and salvation that Jesus brings into our lives.

A Time of Reflection and Waiting

The first coming of Christ is a story of humble beginnings. Jesus, the Son of God, did not arrive in the way many expected. He was born in a stable, in the town of Bethlehem, to a young couple with no royal titles or worldly power. Yet, in His humble birth, He brought a powerful message — God’s love and redemption would come to all, not through force or grandeur, but through grace, humility, and peace.

In Advent, we reflect on our own hearts and lives. What areas of our hearts are waiting for His presence to fill? Where do we long for His light to break through our darkness? Just as the people of Israel waited for the Messiah’s first coming, we wait in expectant hope for His return. Advent calls us to prepare ourselves, both individually and as a church, to receive the peace of Christ and share it with others.

Themes of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace

Each week of Advent is traditionally marked by a theme — Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. These themes help guide our prayers and reflections as we wait.

Hope
The hope we celebrate in Advent is a hope that does not disappoint. It is the hope that Christ will return to restore all things. As we prepare for His coming, we are reminded that our present struggles and trials are temporary, but God’s promises are eternal. The hope of Advent calls us to look forward with faith and trust in God’s plan.
Love
At the heart of Advent is the love of God. It is God’s great love for the world that sent His Son into the world to redeem us (John 3:16). As we prepare for Christmas, let us remember the depths of this love and reflect it to others. Advent is a time to grow in love — for God, for our neighbors, and for ourselves.
Joy
Advent is a season of joy because we anticipate the fulfillment of God’s promises. It is the joy of knowing that Christ, our Savior, is coming, and the joy of celebrating His presence in our lives. As we wait for Christmas, we are reminded that our joy is not dependent on circumstances but on the unshakable truth that God is with us.
Peace
Jesus is called the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). His birth marks the arrival of peace on earth, not just peace between nations, but peace within our hearts. Advent reminds us that true peace comes from knowing Christ — peace with God, peace with one another, and peace within ourselves. During this busy season, let us seek the peace that only Jesus can bring.

Application

As we enter this Advent season, let us pause and reflect on the incredible gift that Jesus is to us. Let’s prepare our hearts not only for the celebration of His birth but for His continued presence in our lives and His promised return.

In the busyness of the season, take time to slow down and be present. Set aside moments each day to reflect on the meaning of Christ's first coming and anticipate His return. Allow the themes of Advent to fill your heart, and in turn, share those gifts with those around you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who came to bring light into the world. As we enter this season of Advent, help us to reflect on the hope, love, joy and peace that Jesus brings. Prepare our hearts to receive Him afresh and renew our spirits as we wait for His return. May we be vessels of His peace and love to those around us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

HOPE

A shepherd boy, ordained to be king, shivers in a dark cave after escaping his murderous enemy. He doesn't feel kingly; the promise of becoming king has never seemed so far. He looks up to God with a broken spirit, full of fear, but confidently declares, "What do I wait for? My hope is in you" -from Psalm 39:7

King David spent years waiting for God to fulfill his promise to make him king of Israel and save him from his enemies. As you read this devotional, you may also be waiting for something. It could be the job you desperately need, an answer to a prayer for a loved one, or healing in your body. Whatever it is that you're waiting for, you are not alone.

Throughout the Old Testament, the people of God waited on Him to fulfill his promise to give them a savior who would save them from their sin and reign over an earth free from evil and corruption. In the Old Testament Hebrew, the word HOPE (Qavah/Yakhal) means to wait expecting something, or more precisely, waiting for someONE.

It's important to understand that biblical hope isn't optimism, which looks at circumstances and sees how things could come together to produce a positive outcome. Instead, biblical hope is rooted in faith. It’s the kind of faith that clings to God when circumstances don’t make sense and things seem darkest. Our hope for the future is anchored in God’s past faithfulness. He has been faithful; therefore, He will be faithful. Our hope and waiting rest in God—not in circumstances.

God’s people hoped for a Savior, and He came to save them from their sins. Today, we hope for our Savior, Jesus Christ, to return and complete the work He began. We wait with faith, trusting that just as He fulfilled His promise to come in the past, He will be faithful to return and restore all things. This is our ultimate hope—and for this, we wait.

LIVING HOPEFUL

As followers of Jesus, we not only hope for His return but also live with daily hope as we wait on God to move on our behalf, speak to us, direct our steps, and answer our prayers. While we hope, we must guard our hearts against fear, doubt, and unbelief by consistently seeking God’s presence.

Seek God in prayer, continually asking Him to move on your behalf (Luke 18:1–8; Philippians 4:6; Matthew 7:7–11).
Periodically read stories of hope and answered prayers, such as Abraham (Genesis 17 & 21), Hannah (1 Samuel 1), or Lazarus (John 11).
Invite a trusted friend or community group member to join you in prayer for what you are waiting for. Pray together as well as individually.
Keep a record of past answered prayers in a journal, on your phone, or somewhere easily accessible. Read through this list whenever doubt or unbelief threatens to overwhelm you.

LOVE

It was a long road to walk, particularly when he was weak with hunger and filled with shame over what he had done. In the distance, he could see his father’s house and the vast, lush fields. Overwhelmed, he nearly faltered as he walked. Yet, suddenly, in the distance, his father came into view. He was running toward him, arms outstretched, crying out, “Son, you’re finally home! I’ve been looking for you since you left!” — from Luke 15:11–32.

Love is the very essence of the character of God. It is selfless, patient, kind, just, and unbreakable. You cannot read the Bible without seeing the love of God for man permeating its pages. The Bible uses various Hebrew and Greek words to describe specific types of love, such as:

Khesed: loyal love
Ahavah: affectionate, caring love
Agápe: divine love
Philia: familial love

At its core, however, love is best defined as the act of putting others before yourself—caring for and serving their well-being and interests.

John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to save mankind from their sins, brokenness, pain, and suffering. Instead of punishing man for their failures, He gave us the promise of eternal life if we would believe in Him. While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8), and He taught His followers to follow His example:

"This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12–13).

While God is not asking us to die a literal death for one another, He is asking us to love one another by laying down our ambitions, selfish desires, preferences, time, energy, and resources. A life of love is filled with caring for those around us: our family, co-workers, neighbors, brothers and sisters in Christ, and even our enemies.

In our own strength, this can seem impossible. But Jesus never asked us to love with our own strength. Before commanding His disciples to lay down their lives for others, Jesus tells them to abide in Him. The word abide in John 15 means to remain or tarry. We are to remain in His presence at all times, allowing Him to guide us and help us carry out His will. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be constantly aware of His presence within us and all around us. We are to ask Him for the strength to do His will, which is to love others as He loves us.

LOVING WELL

As you spend time with God daily, make it a regular prayer that His love would abound in your heart. We need God’s help to love and serve well.

1. Pray the following
Heavenly Father,
I thank You that by believing in Your Son, Jesus Christ, my whole life is immersed in Your amazing love. Thank You for demonstrating Your love for me by sending Your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins. Thank You that He died, rose again, and is now sitting next to You, praying for me. Thank You that I can never be separated from Your love. Help me to remember that Your love is poured into my heart through Your Holy Spirit so I can have victory over all my unloving thoughts and actions. I ask You to fill me anew with Your love in the name of Your Son, Jesus, and through Your Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Ask the Lord to show you if you are harboring unforgiveness in your heart toward someone in your life (Colossians 3:13; Mark 11:25; Matthew 18:21–22; Matthew 5:44).
Practice remaining in God’s presence by praying throughout your day, listening to worship music in your car or home, and setting aside time each day to read His Word and pray.

2. Find small ways to show love to those around you. Write a “thinking of you” card, offer to shovel the driveway of an elderly neighbor, visit a sick church member in the hospital, serve in a community outreach project, or ask your parents how you can help or serve them today.

Joy

Under house arrest for doing God’s work, Paul longs to be with Jesus, leaving behind the persecution he has endured and will likely continue to face. Yet, choosing once again to keep his eyes on Jesus, his ultimate reward, he writes to his dear friends, the Philippians: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” — Philippians 4:4

The evening Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord declared to the shepherds, “Fear not, I bring you good news of GREAT JOY…” (Luke 2:10). For us as followers of Jesus, his birth, life, death and resurrection is the greatest news because as we believe in and follow him, we can truly live. We can experience hope, peace, and joy in the midst of a broken world. Throughout the Bible there are many words for “joy” because joy is a key theme throughout the Word.

After God parted the Red Sea and the Israelites escaped the Egyptians, they praised God in song, joyful over His salvation in their life, though their future was still unclear to them.

When King David returned the stolen ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, He and all of Israel celebrated with songs and instruments, even though David’s own wife despised him (2 Sam. 6:5-23).

When Mary was told she would give birth to the Son of the Most High though she was still a virgin, she sang a song of praise to God, though her circumstances would likely not be understood by most.

Throughout the bible, we see men and women of God who choose joy and rejoicing despite the reality of their circumstances, the fear of the unknown and even their own struggling emotions. These believers didn’t ignore their pain, suffering, fear or anger (David’s Psalms are full of emotions), but they made a deliberate choice to trust God, put their hope in his promises and keep their eyes fixed on their future glory, not their current circumstances. As they waited on God, they chose to celebrate Him and His work in their lives. We can acknowledge that life can be full of circumstances, trying to steal our joy. It can be tempting at times to dwell on our emotions or thoughts of despair, fear, and negativity because our broken human nature can find this cathartic. Yet, doing so, will often cause us to question what we know to be true about God, ourselves and others. This type of dwelling opens the doors to isolation, bad coping mechanisms and a slew of other things that will only pull us further from God.

Psalm 5:11 says, “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them shout for joy forever. May you shelter them, and may those who love your name boast about you.” Throughout this life, we will experience highs and lows, good times and difficult times, but we'll always have a reason to rejoice. We have been saved, made new, we are known, loved and cared for; we have hope that one day Jesus will heal our broken hearts and our broken word. As we cling to this hope, we can choose to rejoice and dwell on the goodness of God.

CHOOSING JOY

Throughout every season of life, we can choose joy. There will be times when it’s incredibly difficult to do & times when it comes naturally, but it’s always a choice. Consider incorporating the following practices in your life to help you choose joy.

Worship God! Turn on your favorite worship music when you feel overwhelmed. Sing out loud and rejoice–He is worthy of our praise, and worship is a form of prayer that aligns our hearts with God’s heart.
Read through the Psalms and pray your favorite Psalms out loud. Many of these Psalms were written from a place of deep emotion, but they all show how the writers choose to fix their eyes on Jesus, in every circumstance.
Get in community. It can be natural and easy to isolate yourself when you are experiencing hardships or struggling emotionally. It can be hard to reach out, but God made us for community and we need one another. Reach out to trusted friends, share what you are experiencing or just spend time with them.

PEACE

It had been an incredible but long few days of following Jesus, hearing him teach and watching him heal the sick. When Jesus suggested they cross the lake, his disciples welcomed the suggestion, as a break. They hoped for calm and quiet. As Jesus fell asleep on his cushion, his friends were grateful for the opportunity to get some rest. Before they realized what was happening, the storms raged all around them, water began filling their boat and while they panicked, fearing for their lives…however, their leader, teacher and Savior, continued to sleep.
-from Matt. 8:23-27, Luke 8:22-25 & Mark 4:35-41

When we think of peace, we may have thoughts of quiet, stillness, calm, lack of violence or conflict. Parents, busy executives, caretakers, all cry out for a little “peace and quiet” from time to time, seeking solace and a break from the demands of a busy life. Those battling with sickness, experiencing relational strife, cry out for peace in their hearts and minds. Oftentimes these cries for peace are cries to escape the brokenness of the world we live in; we want a reprieve from the demands of our lives, circumstances and schedules. No doubt, the disciples wanted this same peace when they climbed into the boat with Jesus. Imagine their surprise when instead of being led into quiet waters, they were led straight into a storm. Understand, the disciples, like many of us, believed that peace is about the absence of trouble. What they failed to realize is that Godly peace works THROUGH tribulation and strife.

The words for peace in the bible are Shalom (Hebrew) and Eirene (Greek). Both of these words mean wholeness or completeness. To bring shalom is to restore what is broken, making it whole and complete. Life can be difficult and our world is out of alignment with God’s desire and will. Jesus brought shalom, restoration and completeness, as our Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). He didn’t take us out of the world to find peace, any more than he steered the disciples away from the storm. Instead, He reminds us of who He is in the storm. He is the creator of the Heavens and the Earth who parts the seas; He heals the leper so the man no longer has to live as an outcast, and he will be with us through whatever storms we may face. Like the disciples, we are to hold fast to our faith through the storms and learn to lay next to the sleeping Jesus, knowing that He will never leave or forsake us.

As followers of Jesus, we are also called to be peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. As peacemakers we are to partner with God and one another to restore to wholeness that which is broken, whether our lives, relationships or our world. Like Jesus, sometimes to bring peace, we must insert ourselves into a conflict to bring peace and resolution. To create peace will require sacrificial love, humility and patience, but there is no greater reward than to partner alongside Christ to bring peace to a broken world. Oftentimes this begins first and foremost in our personal lives. God may lead us to bring peace in our marriage or with our children. He may ask us to restore a broken friendship between two friends or he may ask us to pray for the leaders of our country. Wherever God leads us, though, he will remain and with Him we will always find peace.

FINDING PEACE

Throughout this week, spend some time praying and reflecting on the following points to help you find and bring peace.

In your quiet time, as you think through what you are currently facing, ask God to show you where you need peace. As he reveals this to you, spend some time reminding yourself of who Jesus is (Prince of Peace, Miracle worker, our Savior, our Shepherd, our Safe Refuge, our Provider, our Healer, etc.). Write these truths in a journal, in a notes app, or some place else that you later review.
- Whenever you feel your peace threatened, declare these truths out loud and over your circumstances.
As you pray and declare God’s character and nature over your circumstance, ask Him to strengthen your faith and help you find peace, not by escaping your circumstances, but by finding him in those circumstances.
This week, ask God how you can partner with him in bringing peace. Seek Him and allow Him to show you whether there is a relationship that needs restoration; an area of brokenness in your life where you need Him to bring wholeness to; a situation you can be praying for restoration over, or something you can do to bring peace to someone else’s life, etc.
- Then ask him what your specific role in this situation should be. Are you to pray for the situation, ask for forgiveness, take someone out for a meal, etc.

THE COMING OF CHRIST

"Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

-Revelation 22:12-13

The Advent season is traditionally a time of preparation for the celebration of Jesus' birth. As we decorate our homes and prepare our hearts for Christmas, we are reminded of the first coming of Christ in humble circumstances — a baby born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes. However, Advent is not only about looking back at that moment in history. It is also a time for the Church to look forward in eager expectation to the return of Jesus.

The return of Jesus, known as the Second Coming, is a central theme of Advent that is often overlooked. As we celebrate Christ's first coming, we are also called to prepare for His return in glory, when He will come to restore all things and establish His eternal kingdom. Advent, therefore, is a season of waiting—not just for Christmas, but for the fulfillment of God's promises when Jesus will return to make all things new.

A Promise of Hope and Restoration

When Jesus first came, He brought the hope of salvation and reconciliation with God. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for us to experience peace with God and eternal life. But His coming did not mark the end of God's plan. In fact, it was the beginning of a new story — a story that will culminate in Jesus' triumphant return.

In the Scriptures, Jesus speaks of His return often. He tells us that He will come to gather His people, to judge the living and the dead, and to make all things right. The Apostle Paul writes in
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."

This promise gives us hope. The return of Jesus is not a distant event to be feared, but a future reality that we await with anticipation. It is a promise that one day all pain, suffering, and injustice will be ended. Jesus will wipe away every tear, and His reign will bring perfect peace. This hope sustains us in the midst of a world often filled with darkness and despair.

Waiting on Jesus’ return

As we wait for Christmas, we also wait for Jesus' return. But what does it mean to wait for His return? It’s not a passive waiting, like waiting for a bus or a package to arrive. Rather, it is an active waiting. Jesus Himself taught us to be watchful, ready, and faithful in the time between His first coming and His return. In Matthew 24:42, He says, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."

This active waiting involves living out the gospel — loving our neighbors, seeking justice, and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to a world in need. It means keeping our hearts pure and our lamps burning, as Jesus described in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). We are called to be faithful stewards of the gifts God has given us, working diligently for His kingdom as we await His return.

As Advent unfolds, we are invited to examine our hearts and lives in light of the return of Christ. Are we ready? Are we living in such a way that we would be pleased to meet Jesus face to face? The Second Coming is a promise that should shape the way we live, for we know that one day we will give an account for how we have lived, loved, and served.

Living in Hope and Expectation

The return of Jesus is not just an event in the future; it is a present hope that transforms how we live today. The Apostle Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 3:13-14, "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him."

The anticipation of Jesus' return fills us with a sense of urgency and joy. We live in a world that desperately needs the light and love of Christ. As we wait for the day when He will return, we are called to shine His light and be agents of His peace and justice in a broken world.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
As we enter this Advent season, we remember and celebrate Your first coming, but we also look forward with eager expectation to Your return. Help us to live in active anticipation of that day, watching and waiting with hearts full of hope. May we be faithful stewards of the gifts You have given us, and may our lives reflect Your love and justice to those around us. Strengthen us to live in a way that honors You, and prepare our hearts for the day when we will see You face to face. Maranatha — come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

WHAT IS ADVENT?

Reflection

A Time of Reflection and Waiting

Themes of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace

Application

HOPE

LOVE

LOVING WELL

Joy

CHOOSING JOY

PEACE

FINDING PEACE

THE COMING OF CHRIST

A Promise of Hope and Restoration

Waiting on Jesus’ return

Living in Hope and Expectation

Prayer

SUNDAY
SERVICES TIMES:

Lee's Summit Campus:
Sundays - 9 & 10:30am

Warrensburg Campus:
Sundays - 10:00am

Online Campus:
Sundays - 9am

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ABOUT US:
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Eagle Creek Church
125 SE Stuart Rd,
Lee's Summit, MO 64082
(816) 246 5005

Directions
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Warrensburg Campus

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© 2023

WHAT IS ADVENT?

Reflection

​A Time of Reflection and Waiting

Themes of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace

Application

SUNDAY SERVICES TIMES: Lee's Summit Campus: Sundays - 9 & 10:30am Warrensburg Campus: Sundays - 10:00am Online Campus: Sundays - 9am

CONNECT: Baptism Ministry Teams Groups​ Give

ABOUT US: Sermons Beliefs Events

FOR YOUR FAMILY: EKids Youth Church Online

Eagle Creek Church 125 SE Stuart Rd, Lee's Summit, MO 64082 (816) 246 5005 ​ Directions Lee's Summit Campus Warrensburg Campus Contact us

© 2023

A Time of Reflection and Waiting

SUNDAY
SERVICES TIMES:

Lee's Summit Campus:
Sundays - 9 & 10:30am

Warrensburg Campus:
Sundays - 10:00am

Online Campus:
Sundays - 9am

CONNECT:
Baptism
Ministry Teams
Groups
Give

ABOUT US:
Sermons
Beliefs
Events

FOR YOUR FAMILY:
EKids
Youth
Church Online

Eagle Creek Church
125 SE Stuart Rd,
Lee's Summit, MO 64082
(816) 246 5005

Directions
Lee's Summit Campus
Warrensburg Campus

Contact us