It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But we all know that Christmas can also be painful- and full of longing, unmet expectations, frenetic schedules, mile-long to-do lists, supply-chain issues, and broken ornaments.
Advent is a time of remembering, and also a time for longing. A time for looking back at all God has done in Jesus’ first advent, as we long for His second advent, and invite His coming into our life today- here in the hard middle between the two. Lord You have come! I know You will come just as you promised! And o, Lord Jesus, how I need you right now.
Today as the calendar turned to December, I found myself anxious to not miss Jesus. I don’t want to overlook the rough-hewn manger under the mountain of shiny tinsel. I’m confident I’m not alone in this longing.
My plan this December is to soak luxuriously in the gospels, and this simple advent reading plan through the four gospels is my free gift to you (download the PDF at the link above or by clicking this image).
Read along with this during your quiet time, aloud with your children, or perhaps (like me) enjoy listening to an audio Bible as you run errands or bake cookies or wrap gifts.
My personal favorite audio Bible is this one read by David Suchet. I listen for free through the Hoopla app from our library. (Search for NIV Audio Bible).
Another fabulous resource is the free ESV app, with audio read by Kristyn Getty. (Evidently I prefer to hear the Scripture read in an British or Irish accent!)
Join me in the gospels this Christmas? The King has come, He will come again, and He will meet with you wherever you are today.