Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” In the season of Advent we look forward to the celebration of the first coming of Jesus, our Messiah. We also remember that we are anticipating His second coming.

We remember how the world was in darkness, until the Light of the World came into it on that first Christmas day. As Christmas approaches, we see how the light increases on the Advent wreath, until Christmas day when the Light of the world has come. In the season of Advent we remember the ancient expectation with which people waited for the Messiah, and we prepare our hearts, renew our desire, for His Second coming.

We encourage you to read these at home and ponder them further, talk about them in your family, and pray through how the Lord would want to prepare your heart in this season of Advent.

The Shepherd’s Candle of Joy

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

 Cuando los ángeles regresaron al cielo, los pastores se dijeron unos a otros: «¡Vayamos a Belén! Veamos esto que ha sucedido y que el Señor nos anunció».

 Fueron de prisa a la aldea y encontraron a María y a José. Y allí estaba el niño, acostado en el pesebre. Después de verlo, los pastores contaron a todos lo que había sucedido y lo que el ángel les había dicho acerca del niño.  Todos los que escucharon el relato de los pastores quedaron asombrados, pero María guardaba todas estas cosas en el corazón y pensaba en ellas con frecuencia.  Los pastores regresaron a sus rebaños, glorificando y alabando a Dios por lo que habían visto y oído. Todo sucedió tal como el ángel les había dicho.

Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.
    The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers
    and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
    as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory,
    the splendor of our God.
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
    and encourage those who have weak knees.
Say to those with fearful hearts,
    “Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
    He is coming to save you.”

Hasta el lugar desolado y el desierto estarán contentos en esos días;
    la tierra baldía se alegrará y florecerá el azafrán de primavera.
Así es, habrá abundancia de flores,
    de cantos y de alegría.
Los desiertos se pondrán tan verdes como los montes del Líbano,
    tan bellos como el monte Carmelo o la llanura de Sarón.
Allí el Señor manifestará su gloria,
    el esplendor de nuestro Dios.
 Con esta noticia, fortalezcan a los que tienen cansadas las manos,
    y animen a los que tienen débiles las rodillas.
Digan a los de corazón temeroso:
    «Sean fuertes y no teman,
porque su Dios viene para destruir a sus enemigos;
    viene para salvarlos».