A Note About the Advent Devotional
WELCOME TO THE ADVENT SEASON!
“It is winter in Narnia,” said Mr. Tumnus, “and has been for ever so long… always winter, but never Christmas.” —C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
“It is winter in Narnia,” said Mr. Tumnus, “and has been for ever so long… always winter, but never Christmas.” —C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
In C.S. Lewis’ beloved tale, Narnia is stuck in a world where it’s always winter but never Christmas. A place frozen under a curse, waiting for the return of its true king. That image, though written for children, resonates deeply as we grow older. Our world often feels the same: cold, weary, and longing for something more. But Advent meets us there, with a promise.
Advent is a season of anticipation. A time to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus, the promised Messiah. In the midst of the busyness and distraction, we are called to slow down and reflect on what truly matters: the incredible gift of God with us, Jesus Christ.
This devotional guide will walk us through the four weeks of Advent, each centered on a core theme: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Rather than rushing ahead to Christmas morning, we’ll pause each day to reflect, listen, and respond to God’s presence, even in the waiting. Advent reminds us that Christ enters into a world that often feels frozen, heavy, and longing for more. Through simple rhythms of Scripture, reflection, and prayer, we’ll create space to draw near to the One who came and is coming again.
To help guide our hearts more deeply, each day’s devotion will follow the rhythm of Lectio Divina, an ancient Christian practice of prayerfully reading Scripture. You’ll be invited to move through four simple steps:
This year’s message series explores how we often try to "make Christmas happen,” stuffing our schedules with the right gifts, parties, relationships, and traditions in hopes that we’ll finally feel the peace, joy, hope, and love we’re longing for. But in the birth of the Christ-child, we’re given a gift we didn’t even know we needed: the presence of God breaking into the winter of our deepest unmet longings, offering us the new life of Christmas in the middle of it all.
To follow along or catch up on messages, click here!
Advent isn’t just a countdown to Christmas; it’s a sacred journey of remembering, longing, and trusting. Let’s walk it together—expectantly, honestly, and with hearts open to the light of Christ that breaks into every shadow.
If you have any questions or thoughts along the way, feel free to reach out at contact@bridgepointfl.com.
Advent is a season of anticipation. A time to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus, the promised Messiah. In the midst of the busyness and distraction, we are called to slow down and reflect on what truly matters: the incredible gift of God with us, Jesus Christ.
This devotional guide will walk us through the four weeks of Advent, each centered on a core theme: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Rather than rushing ahead to Christmas morning, we’ll pause each day to reflect, listen, and respond to God’s presence, even in the waiting. Advent reminds us that Christ enters into a world that often feels frozen, heavy, and longing for more. Through simple rhythms of Scripture, reflection, and prayer, we’ll create space to draw near to the One who came and is coming again.
To help guide our hearts more deeply, each day’s devotion will follow the rhythm of Lectio Divina, an ancient Christian practice of prayerfully reading Scripture. You’ll be invited to move through four simple steps:
- Lectio (Read): Slowly read a passage of Scripture and notice what stands out.
- Meditatio (Reflect): Reflect on what it reveals about God and your life.
- Oratio (Pray): Respond to God in prayer.
- Contemplatio (Rest & Apply): Listen for what the Spirit is speaking and how to live it out.
This year’s message series explores how we often try to "make Christmas happen,” stuffing our schedules with the right gifts, parties, relationships, and traditions in hopes that we’ll finally feel the peace, joy, hope, and love we’re longing for. But in the birth of the Christ-child, we’re given a gift we didn’t even know we needed: the presence of God breaking into the winter of our deepest unmet longings, offering us the new life of Christmas in the middle of it all.
To follow along or catch up on messages, click here!
Advent isn’t just a countdown to Christmas; it’s a sacred journey of remembering, longing, and trusting. Let’s walk it together—expectantly, honestly, and with hearts open to the light of Christ that breaks into every shadow.
If you have any questions or thoughts along the way, feel free to reach out at contact@bridgepointfl.com.
What Is Advent?
Advent is a sacred invitation to pause and reflect. It marks the beginning of the Christian calendar and leads us into the heart of the Christmas season. But this year, we recognize what many of us feel deep down despite all our efforts to create the perfect Christmas through gifts, traditions, and celebration, we’re still left wondering where the joy, peace, love, and hope really are.
That is the theme of this year's devotional and message series: Always Winter, Never Christmas. It explores the ache we all feel when the season doesn't deliver what we expected, and the deep truth that Jesus offers something far better. In the birth of Christ, we are given a gift we didn’t even know we needed—a Savior who steps into our coldest places and brings life where there once was only longing.
Advent calls us to stop striving and start listening. It helps us resist the rush and remember that God is already present, already moving, and already working to restore what is broken. Each week of Advent focuses on one of the four traditional themes (hope, peace, joy, and love) and invites us to prepare our hearts for both the birth of Christ and the promise of His return.
That is the theme of this year's devotional and message series: Always Winter, Never Christmas. It explores the ache we all feel when the season doesn't deliver what we expected, and the deep truth that Jesus offers something far better. In the birth of Christ, we are given a gift we didn’t even know we needed—a Savior who steps into our coldest places and brings life where there once was only longing.
Advent calls us to stop striving and start listening. It helps us resist the rush and remember that God is already present, already moving, and already working to restore what is broken. Each week of Advent focuses on one of the four traditional themes (hope, peace, joy, and love) and invites us to prepare our hearts for both the birth of Christ and the promise of His return.
How the Advent Devotional Works
This year’s devotional is built around the spiritual rhythm of Lectio Divina, an ancient practice of listening to God through Scripture. Each daily devotional will guide you through four simple movements:
Each week begins with a Weekly Community Practice that helps orient your heart around that week's Advent theme. After that, you will move through seven daily Scripture devotionals, each using the Lectio Divina rhythm to guide your reading and reflection. This pattern creates space each day to slow down, listen to God’s Word, and prepare your heart throughout the entire week.
If you are new to studying the Bible or feel unsure about how to engage with Scripture, check out the Bible Reading Guide at the end of this section. It offers a helpful way to begin.
- Read (Lectio): Begin by slowly reading the passage of Scripture. Pause. Read it again. Pay attention to words or phrases that stand out.
- Reflect (Meditatio): Read the accompanying devotional and consider what the passage reveals about who God is and what He might be saying to you.
- Pray (Oratio): Respond to God with a simple prayer.
- Rest and Apply (Contemplatio): Sit quietly and consider how the truth of the passage meets your life today.
Each week begins with a Weekly Community Practice that helps orient your heart around that week's Advent theme. After that, you will move through seven daily Scripture devotionals, each using the Lectio Divina rhythm to guide your reading and reflection. This pattern creates space each day to slow down, listen to God’s Word, and prepare your heart throughout the entire week.
If you are new to studying the Bible or feel unsure about how to engage with Scripture, check out the Bible Reading Guide at the end of this section. It offers a helpful way to begin.
Weekly Community Practice
Each week, we encourage you to gather with friends or family and light a candle as a way to mark the journey of Advent. You will need five candles in total: four for each weekly theme and one for Christmas. This doesn’t need to be elaborate. You can use any candles available to you. The symbolism matters more than the setup.
Each week, light a new candle and revisit the previous ones as you go. By Christmas, all will be lit, symbolizing the growing light of Christ breaking into a dark world. Let the act of lighting each candle be a moment to pause, pray, and re-center your heart on the hope of Jesus.
Each week, light a new candle and revisit the previous ones as you go. By Christmas, all will be lit, symbolizing the growing light of Christ breaking into a dark world. Let the act of lighting each candle be a moment to pause, pray, and re-center your heart on the hope of Jesus.
Bible Reading Guide
Reading Scripture can feel intimidating and confusing at times, especially if you’re new to Bible study. But remember, God desires for you to know His Word deeply and to dwell on it daily.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
— Colossians 3:16-17
So, how can you read Scripture effectively? It may take a little time to find your rhythm with personal Bible study, but don’t be discouraged! God is at work in you, planting His Word in your heart.
To help you get started, here’s a simple 5-part, 15-minute formula to follow as you reflect daily on the Advent Scriptures:
START WITH PRAYER
This is your intentional time to draw close to God. Begin by inviting Him into this moment, asking Him to reveal His truth to you through His Spirit. A simple prayer can be as easy as, “Here I am, God. I am listening.”
READ THE PASSAGE
Start by reading the passage(s). Take note of what immediately stands out to you. What keywords, themes, or phrases catch your attention? If you come across something you don’t understand, that’s perfectly fine. Focus on what you do grasp.
READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN
Yes, reread it! As you go through it a second time, jot down any questions that arise. Look for Jesus in the passage and consider His plan of redemption. Reflect on how this Scripture is relevant to your life in 2024.
REFLECT AND GO!
Life is full of next steps, and Scripture offers plenty of inspiration, guidance, and correction to lead you into a closer relationship with God. As you wrap up your devotional time, take a moment to ask yourself, “How can I be obedient to what God is showing me through this Scripture?” Then, take that step and go for it
If you have questions or find yourself feeling stuck, that’s completely okay—this is all part of the journey! Remember, your BridgePoint Campus Teams are here to support you. Don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions by emailing: contact@bridgepointfl.com.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
— Colossians 3:16-17
So, how can you read Scripture effectively? It may take a little time to find your rhythm with personal Bible study, but don’t be discouraged! God is at work in you, planting His Word in your heart.
To help you get started, here’s a simple 5-part, 15-minute formula to follow as you reflect daily on the Advent Scriptures:
START WITH PRAYER
This is your intentional time to draw close to God. Begin by inviting Him into this moment, asking Him to reveal His truth to you through His Spirit. A simple prayer can be as easy as, “Here I am, God. I am listening.”
READ THE PASSAGE
Start by reading the passage(s). Take note of what immediately stands out to you. What keywords, themes, or phrases catch your attention? If you come across something you don’t understand, that’s perfectly fine. Focus on what you do grasp.
READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN
Yes, reread it! As you go through it a second time, jot down any questions that arise. Look for Jesus in the passage and consider His plan of redemption. Reflect on how this Scripture is relevant to your life in 2024.
REFLECT AND GO!
Life is full of next steps, and Scripture offers plenty of inspiration, guidance, and correction to lead you into a closer relationship with God. As you wrap up your devotional time, take a moment to ask yourself, “How can I be obedient to what God is showing me through this Scripture?” Then, take that step and go for it
If you have questions or find yourself feeling stuck, that’s completely okay—this is all part of the journey! Remember, your BridgePoint Campus Teams are here to support you. Don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions by emailing: contact@bridgepointfl.com.
Suggested Schedule of Advent Devotionals
To help you stay engaged throughout the season, here’s a suggested weekly rhythm for using this devotional:
Sunday
Let’s walk into this season slowly, with open hearts. Advent reminds us that we don’t need to make Christmas happen. We only need to make space for the Christ-child to arrive again in our waiting.
Sunday
- Weekly Community Practice (15 to 30 minutes)
- Day One of the Daily Scripture Meditation (10 to 20 minutes)
- Day Two to Six of the Daily Scripture Meditation (10 to 20 minutes)
- Day Seven of the Daily Scripture Meditation or open for rest, reflection, or catching up
Let’s walk into this season slowly, with open hearts. Advent reminds us that we don’t need to make Christmas happen. We only need to make space for the Christ-child to arrive again in our waiting.
