Advent devotional


It just doesn’t work to start in the middle of a story. You can’t walk into a movie theater halfway

through the featured film and make sense of what you’re watching. There will be conversations and decisions and reactions that make no sense to you because you missed the beginning of the movie. 


In the same way, you can’t start the Christmas story with the baby in the manger in Bethlehem. 


If you do, you will miss key elements of the narrative that make all the difference in your understanding. This resource, from Paul David Tripp, includes four short Advent devotionals, accompanied by Reflection Questions.


Advent: The Need

devotional 1


This devotional, from Genesis 6, focuses on the sin of humanity and how it grieved the heart of the Lord to the point where he was sorry that he made man on the earth. The birth of Christ is ultimately rooted in grief in the heart of God. We recommend reading this devotional first. 


Click here to read this devotional and Reflection Questions.

Advent: The promise

devotional 2

This devotional, from Isaiah 59, focuses on the promise of a Redeemer. Isaiah 59 exposes our sin and leaves us hopeless on our own, but then points us to the source of hope, Jesus Christ. We recommend reading this devotional second. 


Click Here to read the devotional and Reflection Questions

Advent: the announcement

devotional 3

This devotional, from Luke 2, focuses on the announcement of the birth of Christ. This announcement is a joyful hymn of celebration but also a definition of our biggest need and Christ’s mission on earth. We recommend reading this devotional on Christmas Eve.


Click Here to read the devotional and Reflection Questions.

Advent: The plan

devotional 4

This devotional, from Isaiah 53, focuses on the crucifixion of Jesus. Isaiah 53 prophesies the Cross and reveals the love that God has for his children by the crushing of his Son. We recommend reading this devotional after Christmas Day.


Click Here to read the devotional and Reflection Questions.