Advent Together
Advent: The arrival of a notable person or event. The first season of the Christian church year, leading up to Christmas, and including the four preceding Sundays. The coming of Christ.
This simple advent connection calendar can be done individually or as a couple. It takes just 3 minutes to do alone and about 5-7 minutes if you do it together. It will connect you to Jesus and one another throughout Christmas. A great practice is to read and reflect on it during the day, then discuss the question and pray together before bed. Don’t feel pressure to do this daily, but know it’s there for you each day of Advent. It works best to save this link on your home screen and use it throughout the month!
The devotion offers a theme, scripture passage, quote, reflection question, and an opportunity to pray for each other each day. What makes this experience unique is the opportunity to come together, discuss the question, and pray for one another. That’s where the magic happens! The together part! Enjoy!
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“Zion, herald of good news, go up on a high mountain. Jerusalem, herald of good news, raise your voice loudly. Raise it, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’” Isaiah 40:9
“The good news was, and is, that all this has happened in and through Jesus; that one day it will happen, completely and utterly, to all creation; and that we humans, every single one of us, whoever we are, can be caught up in that transformation here and now.” N.T. Wright
REFLECTION TO SHARE
When you hear “The Good News of Jesus” what words, pictures, or phrases come to mind for you? Where has the “Good News’ been good in your life this past year?PRAY
Pray your spouse will experience the Good News of Jesus this week and in the Advent Season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they might have. -
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.” Isaiah 9:2-3
“Christ not only offers himself as the divine object of my joy, but pours his capacity for joy into me, so that I can enjoy him with the very joy of God.” John Piper
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Rejoice means to show great joy or delight. What do you find yourself “delighting in” during the Christmas season?PRAY
Pray your spouse would pause and find delight in the little and big things of the Christmas season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they may have. -
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
“Christ can be trusted to keep His Word that He will exchange our drab existence for joyous living, abundant life! And while true love, total acceptance, and complete security are rare in our frantic world, the biblical evidence that our desires in these areas will be fulfilled in Christ is abundant.” Josh McDowell
REFLECTION TO SHARE
When you hear “Life to the full,” what pictures or words come to mind? How does the enemy try to steal that joy from you?PRAY
Pray that your spouse will experience the “life to the full” Jesus offers them this Advent season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they may have. -
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:3-5
"People are drawn to Christ not by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it." Madeleine L'Engle
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Where do you see God’s light shining through your spouse? How do you see Him working in his or her life?PRAY
Pray for the Lord’s light to shine on and around your spouse this week. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they have. -
“See, the Lord God comes with strength, and his power establishes his rule. His wages are with him, and his reward accompanies him. He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in the fold of his garment.” Isaiah 40:10-11
“Safety consists not in the absence of danger but in the presence of God. We are forever changed when we abide with the Shepherd. We find provision as He leads us to the green pastures He has prepared.” Stephen Chappell
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Where have you seen God “shepherding” you in recent weeks? Where do you need His comfort, guidance, and protection this Christmas season?PRAY
Pray that your spouse will experience the nearness of the Shepherd King in their life this week. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they have. -
“The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” John 1:9
"I am as sure as I live that nothing is so near to me as God. God is nearer to me than I am to myself; my existence depends on the nearness and the presence of God". Meister Eckhart
REFLECTION TO SHARE
When do you not see or recognize Jesus in your day-to-day life? What are times or situations when you DO see or recognize Jesus?PRAY
Pray your spouse will recognize the voice of Jesus tomorrow and this Christmas season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they have. -
“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
"We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts." AW Tozer
"In Christ, God is not just with us; He is for us." Tim Keller
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Immanuel, God with us. Where do you experience God’s presence in your life the most? How do you experience Him during the Advent Season?PRAY
Pray your spouse will have time to pause and get time with Jesus this Christmas season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they have. -
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:4, 11
“The greatest joy is joy in God. This is plain from Psalm 16:11: ‘You [God] will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.’ Fullness of joy and eternal joy cannot be improved. Nothing is fuller than full, and nothing is longer than eternal.” John Piper
REFLECTION TO SHARE
What does “complete joy” look like for you? Where have you experienced Joy during Christmas? What images, words, and pictures come up in your mind when you hear Jesus’ words “that your joy may be complete.”PRAY
Pray your spouse will experience God’s Joy this week and Advent Season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they have. -
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! “ 1 John 3:1
“Jesus came to announce to us that an identity based on success, popularity and power is a false identity- an illusion! Loudly and clearly he says: 'You are not what the world makes you; but you are children of God.” Henri Nouwen
REFLECTION TO SHARE
What’s a favorite childhood memory from Christmas? What do you think of when you hear God wants to “lavish” His love over you, His child?PRAY
Pray for your spouse to receive God’s love lavished over them today and this Advent Season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they have. -
“A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. And the glory of the Lord will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:3-5
"Preparation of the heart is where the journey of faith begins; it's a sacred space where we invite Christ to dwell. To prepare our hearts for Jesus is to clear the clutter of our lives and make room for His love and grace." Unknown
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Advent prepares our hearts to receive more of Jesus this Christmas season. What in your heart needs to be “made straight” or set right as you allow His presence to prepare the uneven ground in your heart to receive Him?PRAY
Pray that God would reveal to your spouse anything in their life that Jesus can help them “make straight.” He is a loving and gracious Father! If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they have. -
“Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:1-2
"Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that His plan is greater than our understanding. When we depend on God's sovereignty, we find peace in the midst of uncertainty. Our reliance on God's sovereignty transforms our worries into worship." Unknown
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Fearing God, is being in awe, acknowledging His sovereignty and dependence on him. What does a healthy “fear of the Lord” look like for you?PRAY
Pray your spouse would experience awe and dependence on God’s sovereignty today and Advent season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they may have. -
“He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name.” John 1:10-12
"A childlike faith is a faith that is filled with wonder, trust, and joy." David Wilkerson
"It is the heart that is childlike that can see God." Henri Nouwen
REFLECTION TO SHARE
What does Childlike faith look like in your relationship with Jesus? Where have you seen the fruit of Childlike faith, and where has it been a challenge?PRAY
Pray your spouse would experience childlike faith today and this Christmas season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they may have. -
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
"God is not just a distant observer; He lives in us and transforms us." John Stott
"When God lives in us, we become conduits of His love and grace." Max Lucado
REFLECTION TO SHARE
God wants to dwell among you. Dwelling means “to live in.” God wants to inhabit every room of your heart. Where in your life do you see him living and “dwelling?” What rooms do you find yourself not letting Him in?PRAY
Pray your spouse will open more doors in their hearts to let Jesus in. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they may have. -
“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.’ But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be.” Luke 1:26-38
"God often allows things to become more than we can bear because it reminds us that we need Him, especially when things are hard." LaToya Edwards
"God walks with us through our trials, turning our pain into purpose." Charles Stanley
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Sometimes God’s way for us feels “deeply troubling.” What’s something God might be asking you to do that’s hard? How can your spouse encourage you in the midst of it?PRAY
If your spouse is wrestling with something God might want them to do, pray God’s peace will be with them today and this season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they may have. -
“Then the angel told her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:30
"Courage is fear that has said its prayers." Karl Barth
"The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. It means you have faith." Max Lucado
"Do not be afraid; God is always with you, even in the storm." John Piper
REFLECTION TO SHARE
A consistent encouragement in scripture is “do not be afraid.” What has been something recently that has created worry or fear in your journey?PRAY
Pray Philippians 4:6-7 over your spouse today: “May (name) not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, may (he/she) present their requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard their heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they have. -
“‘He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.’ Mary asked the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?’ The angel replied to her: ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’” Luke 1:33-35
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Martin Luther King Jr.
"A step of faith is trusting God to guide you, even when the path seems unclear." Charles Stanley
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Oftentimes, the Holy Spirit encourages us to take a step of faith that is beyond what we could believe in the natural world. Is there an area in your life where God is encouraging you to take a step of faith?PRAY
Pray for faith and courage for your spouse to take their step of faith this Advent Season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they have. -
“‘For nothing will be impossible with God.’ ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ said Mary. ‘May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel left her." Luke 1:37-38
"What seems impossible to us is just an opportunity for God to show His power." Max Lucado
"When we face the impossible, God often reveals His greatest miracles." Charles Stanley
REFLECTION TO SHARE
There are “impossible” things in our life that we often have given up on. Considering the angel's words, “Nothing will be impossible with God,” what is an impossible thing you want prayer for?PRAY
Pray for an “impossible prayer” in your spouse’s life. If you don’t know, ask them! God hears your prayer! Invite Jesus into the impossible this Advent Season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they may have. -
“And Mary said: My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy.” Luke 1:46-56
"Thankfulness is a soil in which joy thrives." Jerry Bridges
"When we thank God, we acknowledge His goodness and faithfulness in our lives." Anne Graham Lotz
REFLECTION TO SHARE
What’s a great thing God has done in your life recently that you are thankful for?PRAY
Pray and thank God for specific things he has done in your life. If you are with your spouse, pray for any prayer requests they may have. -
“His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.” Luke 1:50-53
"Your legacy is being written by yourself. Make sure you’re writing it wisely." Unknown
"What we leave behind is not as important as how we lived." Jimmy Carter
REFLECTION TO SHARE
God’s love trickles down to the next generation. What values or traits do you want to give the generation after you? What do you want to impart to your children or the next generation because of your life?PRAY
Pray that your spouse’s life, choices, vocation, and faith will bless the next generation. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they may have. -
“The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’” Matthew 1:18-21
"When you have to make a big decision, pray for wisdom and trust God with the outcome." Charles Stanley
"A wise Christ follower always seeks the counsel of the Lord before making major choices." Unknown
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Joseph changed direction after he “considered these things.” What’s a choice or idea you have been thinking about or “considering” lately? Where do you feel the Lord’s voice in that space?PRAY
Pray your spouse will receive clarity from God this Advent Season as they “consider things,” i.e., a decision or situation they face. If you are together, pray for any other prayer requests they may have. -
“Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:22-23
"In every moment of our lives, God is present and active." Henri Nouwen
"Immanuel is the promise that God is always present with us, no matter our circumstances." John Piper
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Where have you seen God’s presence, peace, joy, or strength with you this past week?PRAY
Pray your spouse would experience “God with them” through His peace, joy, and strength this Advent season. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they may have. -
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:1-2
"When we worship, we invite God's presence and acknowledge His greatness." Bill Hybels
"Worship is not about what we get; it's about what we give to God." Matt Redman
REFLECTION TO SHARE
What does Worship look like for you? How do you express your adoration for Jesus?PRAY
Pray your spouse would find space in their own way to worship Jesus, “Come let us adore Him!,” this Advent Season. If you are together, pray for any other prayer requests they may have. -
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:15-16
"In Christ, we see the perfect representation of God’s character and love." John Stott
"Jesus is the mirror that reflects God's character and heart to mankind." Max Lucado
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Where have you seen God’s handiwork in creation this December?PRAY
Pray your spouse will experience God’s presence in creation this week. If you are together, pray for any prayer requests they might have. -
“For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
"God's peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ." Sheila Walsh
"True peace comes from knowing that God is in control." Rick Warren
REFLECTION TO SHARE
Where do you need God’s peace in your life? Is there a relationship or situation where you need The Prince of Peace to give you peace?PRAY
Pray that God’s peace will find your spouse this Advent Season. If you are together, pray for any other prayer requests they might have. -
“Out of his fullness, we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” John 1:16-18
"The grace of God is our greatest treasure, offering us forgiveness and new life." Charles Stanley
"In grace, God gives us what we do not deserve and withholds what we do deserve." John Piper
REFLECTION TO SHARE
The Greatest Gift: Grace. God's unmerited favor, or undeserved gift, that cannot be earned. What does it look like for you to receive God’s grace this Christmas? Is this easy or hard for you?PRAY
Pray your spouse will receive God’s grace for themselves this Christmas. Pray Ephesians 2:8 over your spouse this Christmas Day: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the GIFT of God.”
