How Do I Prepare My Heart for Advent?

Sarah Frazer Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
Published Nov 08, 2022

Can I tell you an embarrassing secret? I didn't do one day of Advent readings with my kids last year during the Christmas season. I usually love reading from an Advent book, and unwrapping the Christmas story all throughout December. The first time I read them something last year was Christmas Eve. I felt guilt over my shoulder all month.

Christmas somehow brings with it feelings of guilt, doesn’t it? We make crazy gingerbread houses, ornaments with handprints, and popsicle stick nativities. And amidst the crafts and calendar appointments, we can also feel a heightened sense of sadness, remembering those we've lost.

I spoke with my sweet friend the other day. She is still hurting from a tragic loss this summer. She said, "I wish Christmas would just be over." The hustle, rush, stress—and even sometimes family—make us all a little bitter towards celebrating.

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Jesus Came to Give Hope in the Hard Things

The truth is, Jesus came into the world on Christmas because of the hard things.

Advent means "coming," and He came because our world needs hope. I thought about my friend, the one who is hurting, and she needs hope. And I need hope too. I need hope that the hard things will be better...one day. We all do.

I loved looking at Revelation 19:11-16 recently. It says, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True...”

It goes on to tell of Jesus' second coming, an amazing reason to hope! In some ways, His first coming is similar to the second. Kings were involved. His angels were there. He is called "the Word of God" both times. Instead of just a few angels singing, the angels will be at His side ready for battle.

What stood out to me the most, when comparing the first and second comings, was how He comes. The first coming was filled with humility. From the stable to the fact He became man. He lived a life of service.

In the second coming, He will be coming on a white horse, called the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He will appear like a flame of fire with a sword to bring judgment.

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3 Ways to Prepare Your Heart for Advent

Our King has come, and we celebrate His coming with the Advent and Christmas season. So I have determined to prepare my heart for Advent in these three ways:

1. Rest
I understand rest is not synonymous with this season, but a restful life will be a stress-free life. And I'm all about stress-free. I have decided to make time for rest this Christmas season. I will not let the rush interrupt my time of rest. Whether that's nap time, going to bed early, or saying no to crazy "gift wrapping" ideas. Rest will be a priority this season. Will you make time for rest this season?

2. Say ‘No’
Christmas pageants. Christmas programs. Christmas parties. Christmas teacher-gifts. Saying "no" to some of these things will seem hard, but I think saying 'no' will free up the opportunity to say ‘yes’ to the really important things.

3. Get Into God's Word
I think I may have heard the Christmas story approximately 1,233,902 times. But God's Word is still alive, still breathing new truths to our hearts. So I am determined to read the familiar passages with fresh eyes, asking the Lord to meet me in His Word. Will you try it? I promise God will reveal something special. He never fails! His Word is a light in the darkness. From the beginning, God wanted to bring light to the world.

In the Old Testament we find promises of a coming Messiah. He would be a light to shine into our dark world full of sin. For so many years God was silent, but light suddenly burst forth! Jesus, who came to earth to show us the Father, is the Light of the World. Darkness seems to pull out the light, leaving us feeling somehow empty.

So how to do we fill our hearts in the middle of darkness? The truth of God’s Word!

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25 Days of Scripture for Advent and Christmas

Why not try reading these scriptures each day, for 25 days, as you move through the Advent and Christmas season? May it renew your hope.

Day 1 – John 1:14
Begin with awesome wonder, reflecting on the reality that God has made His dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.

Day 2 – Romans 6:23
Today, thank God that your sins have been traded for eternal life through Christ.

Day 3 – Galatians 4:4-5
As you read, remember God picked the perfect time in history to enter this world.

Day 4 – 1 Timothy 1:15-17
Praise God today because He sent His Son for our sins.

Day 5 – Isaiah 7:14
Hundreds of years before, we discover a truth about Jesus’ birth.

Day 6 – Isaiah 9:6
Give God glory for coming to be our Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Day 7 – Isaiah 11:1 & John 15:1
Rejoice that Jesus is the branch in which we can abide today.

Day 8 – Titus 3:3-7
Reflect on where your sin had taken you and the precious kindness of God in sending the Savior to be born for us!

Day 9 – Luke 2:17-20
How can you keep the precious truths about Jesus close to your heart today to keep hope alive?

Day 10 – Zechariah 9:9
Give thanks to the Father who sees our low state, but meets us right where we are and sends a King to set us free from our sin.

Day 11 – John 3:16
Read today about God’s everlasting love for us.

Day 12 – 1 John 5:11
Reflect on how God’s everlasting life is given to us in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Day 13 – Matthew 1:18-25
Praise God for the adoptive father example of Joseph. Joseph obeyed God and took Mary as his wife.

Day 14 – Matthew 2:1-2
How will you worship Christ today, as the wise men did? Are you seeking Him like them?

Day 15 – Matthew 2:10
God is always lighting the way to the Savior of the world. Do not look down to the earth but up to God for direction.

Day 16 – Luke 1:35
Give praise for the angel’s words to Mary, that “the Holy One who is born will be called the Son of God.”

Day 17 – Luke 2:9-12
God meets us right where we are, just as He did the shepherds. And God doesn’t come to kings, He comes to the least of these.

Day 18 – Luke 2:15-16
Glory be to God in the highest and on earth peace, only through this Savior, Jesus Christ.

Day 19 – Acts 5:31
Christ came to the earth to give repentance and forgive sins. What a beautiful thing!

Day 20 – Philippians 2:8-10
After His death, Jesus was lifted up and given the Name above All Names.

Day 21 – Romans 6:23
Revisit this scripture and remember that although all have sinned, Christ is our gift.

Day 22 – Romans 15:13
I hope God gives you joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Day 23– James 1:17
Praise God for the good gifts He gives to us—including His Son, Jesus Christ!

Day 24 – Colossians 1:15-18
Christ is truly everything we would ever need...Praise God!

Day 25 – Revelation 5:6-10
End your readings with glory to God for the Lamb who was slain, but rose again to give us everlasting life.

You can download a slightly longer list of the above scripture suggestions here.

During the busy advent season, find stillness. Remain quiet and seek rest. Reflect on the glory of Christ—the redeeming Lamb and Son of Righteousness. The King of Glory has come. Let’s shine a light in the darkness.

Sarah Frazer is a writer and Bible study mentor at sarahefrazer.com. She is the wife of Jason and mother of five. Although she serves in her local church, holds in-home Bible studies, and is preparing to be a full-time missionary to Honduras, her passion is to encourage women fall in love with the Bible. Sarah is also an author of several self-published resources for women. She share tools for deep-rooted Bible study at sarahefrazer.com. Follow her on Instagram and download her Christmas Reading plan here.