Scotty Williams

See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Isaiah 65:17

Thought

Advent creates people, new people. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Jesus, Jesus, O, what a wonderful child
Jesus, Jesus,  So lowly, meek and mild
New life, new hope to all He brings
Won’t you listen to the angels sing
Glory, glory, glory to the newborn King!

It was heralded by the angels
Born in a lowly manger
The Virgin Mary chosen as His mother
And Joseph was His earthly father
Three Wise Men came from afar
They were guided by a shining star
To see the baby where He lay
In a manger filled with hay

Prayer

Almighty God, You did a new thing through sending Your Son Jesus, and You continue to do new things through Him for the sake of all that You have made. The universe finds relief as sin and death become former things, and it shines with light as You give it life and restore it from the darkness. Thank You for making things new as You promised through the prophet Isaiah, and thank You for making me and of Your people new creations by grace and love. I pray all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, Whose birth I celebrate, and Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit as one God, both now and forever. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 64, Isaiah 65, and Isaiah 66

To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.

They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.

Isaiah 62:12

Thought

Never run before God’s guidance. (Oswald Chambers)

1. Infant holy, Infant lowly,
For His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Swift are winging, angels singing,
Noels ringing, tidings bringing,
Christ the Babe is Lord of all!
Christ the Babe is Lord of all!

2. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
Vigil till the morning new,;
Saw the glory, heard the story,
Tidings of a Gospel true.

Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
Praises voicing, greet the morrow,
Christ the Babe was born for you!
Christ the Babe was born for you!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are no longer an infant holy and lowly. Now You are a holy King ascended and on high. Tomorrow Your birth will be celebrated with songs and merriment, but these are meaningless if You are not born again in me. Like the cradle on earth below and the throne in heaven above, may my heart bear You and testify that You were born for and are Lord of all. To You be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 61, Isaiah 62, and Isaiah 63

To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.

The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58:11

Thought

Never run before God’s guidance. (Oswald Chambers)

1. We three kings of orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
[CHORUS]
O, star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light

2. Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King for ever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign
[CHORUS]

3. Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising all men raising
Worship Him, God most high
[CHORUS]

4. Myrrh is mine it’s bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone cold tomb
[CHORUS]

5. Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Heaven to earth replies
[CHORUS]

Prayer

O Father of Lights, You guide me by a star. Yet, not the one that Magi followed from the east to Bethlehem. The star that leads me is the One that they sought out, and brought them to honour Him as King, God, and Sacrifice. At His feet I lay the greatest gift that I have, and that is myself which You have fearfully and wonderfully made. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 58, Isaiah 59, and Isaiah 60

To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Isaiah 55:6

Thought

God came to be with His people, coming down to our level and He had come to stay because He loves us. (Rina Rosario)

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

1. While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

2. Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

Prayer

Holy Father, the blessed season of Christmas is near, and I am looking forward to celebrate when Jesus arrived in Bethlehem. Like the Shepherds who left the manger, let me boldly share the Good News that the promised Redeemer is among us in love and will never leave nor forsake us. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 55, Isaiah 56, and Isaiah 57

To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 52:7

Thought

The reign of God is not just a future event for which we simply wait. (Sandie Cornish)

1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart
Prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven,
And nature sing

2. Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns
Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods,
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat,
The sounding joy

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make
His blessings flow.
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as,
The curse is found

4. He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of
His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders,
Of His love

Prayer

To the One Who reigns forever, I sing with joy this hour, for Your rule is not a distant dream to those who now await You. It is a thing that we can know in the here and now. Therefore, let me never lose sight of it as I follow You in faith. Amen

Daily Readings

Isaiah 52, Isaiah 53, and Isaiah 54

To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.

Isaiah 49:13

Thought

All this shouting and rejoicing is warranted because the Lord has saved His people and is in their midst. (Michael de Verteuil)

1. “Comfort, comfort now My people
Tell of peace”, so says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness.
Mourning under sorrow’s load.
To My people now proclaim
That My pardon waits for them.
Tell them that their sins I cover;
And this warfare now is over!

2. For the herald’s voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Calling us to true repentance
Since the Kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way!
Let the valleys rise in meeting,
And the hills bow down in greeting!

3. Straight shall be what long was crooked,
And the rougher places plain!
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits God’s holy reign!
For the glory of the Lord
Now on earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token,
That God’s Word is never broken!

Prayer

Today I shout with the heavens and rejoice with the earth, for Lord You have brought comfort through Your presence and gracious Word. Give all who are restless this gift that brings me peace. Give them comfort that they too may shout and rejoice in the peace of Your presence. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 49, Isaiah 50, and Isaiah 51

To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.

Isaiah 46:9

Thought

The seasons of the Church are, in many ways, tools for remembering. Advent, focusing on the coming Christ, can be a great antidote for forgetfulness. (Claire Musters)

1. In the bleak midwinter,
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

2. Our God, heaven cannot hold Him,
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter
A stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

3. Angels and Archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and Seraphim
Thronged the air;
But His mother only,
In her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the Beloved with a kiss.

4. What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man,
I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Prayer

Merciful Father, Advent is more than remembering that Jesus came to earth. It is remembering the mystery of faith that is proclaimed among Your people. As we wait, we recall that Christ has died, is risen, and will come again. For all of this I am left in awe and offer You my gratitude. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 46, Isaiah 47, and Isaiah 48

To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.

Everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.

Isaiah 43:7

Thought

Advent is the spiritual season of hope par excellence, and in this season, the whole Church is called to be hope, for itself and for the world. (Benedict XVI)

1. The First Noel the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!

2. They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!

Prayer

O God of Hope, Who called Shepherds through angels and the Magi through stars, I hear Your call to me this day and answer it with gladness. I answer the call to love You with my whole being. I answer the call to love all people as I love myself. I answer the call to the Savior’s humble Way and to share His Gospel wherever I go that the world might know His wonders. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 43, Isaiah 44, and Isaiah 45

To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.