November 30 - December 6, 2025
LONGING FOR CHRIST
Today is the 1st Sunday of Advent. Advent means coming.
We light this candle as a symbol of the coming light of Christ.
We read in Isaiah 33:14-16:
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill
the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.
“‘In those days and at that time
I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
he will do what is just and right in the land.
In those days Judah will be saved
and Jerusalem will live in safety.
This is the name by which it will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’
God fulfilled his promise to bring our Savior from the line of David, the son of Jesse. But our Righteous Savior, Jesus Christ, is more than just the King of Israel, he is the Savior of the world. May we have the courage and strength to wait expectantly for our Savior’s return. For just as God fulfilled his promise to send his Son Jesus as the Messiah some 2000 years ago, so too he will be sure to send Jesus again when the time is right.
ADVENT READING
As you enter this season of Advent,
what is your season of life like right now?How does Revelation 21:1–5 shape your vision
of longing for Christ?How does Psalm 130 shape your view of the
difficult reality of waiting for Christ?As you reflect on your life right now, can you identify
one area where waiting is particularly difficult?
Why do you think that is?How does Acts 1:1–8 shape the way you actively wait
for Christ and the renewal of the world?
reflection questions
This week we are focusing on what it means to long for Christ. The Israelites were longing for a King who was unlike anyone they had ever seen. The true son of David would lead with the Spirit, wisdom, understanding and delight in the fear of the LORD. Justice was promised to come, but it would take a long time.
This week we walk with the Israelites and learn how longing involves vision for the Messiah, waiting with hope and participation in God's Kingdom today.
summary
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
–Isaiah 11:1-3a
Key Scripture
Monday | Isaiah 35:1-10
Tuesday | Matthew 11:1-19
Wednesday | Psalm 146
Thursday | Isaiah 61:1-11
Friday | Luke 4:14-30
Saturday | Revelation 21:1-5
Sunday | Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Bible READING PASSAGES
Use the Family Advent Devotional
provided for CPkids and CPlittles ministry
Choose a few items from the
Advent Activities idea list
PRACTICES THIS WEEK
Listen to the CP Advent
Spotify playlist here