Scotty Williams

The living, the living—they praise You, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about Your faithfulness.

Isaiah 38:19

Thought

The good news of Advent is not that we are faithful in our waiting, but that God is faithful in His coming. (Rich Villodas)

1. O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold Him,
Born the King of angels!
O come, let us adore Him, (3x)
Christ, the Lord!

2. The Highest, Most Holy
Light of Light Eternal!
Born of the Virgin, a mortal He comes,
Son of the Father
Now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him, (3x)
Christ, the Lord!

3. Sing, choirs of angels;
Sing in exultation;
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God,
In the Highest!
O come, let us adore Him, (3x)
Christ, the Lord!

4. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him, (3x)
Christ, the Lord!

Prayer

Almighty God, I bow my head in adoration, for You are truly good and have been faithful to Your promise. Long ago You promised that deliverance would come, and through the manger all Creation saw You keep Your Word. O blessed be Your name for You are good and faithful! Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 37, Isaiah 38, and Isaiah 39

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

And those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isaiah 35:10

Thought

We leave the already of His Advent to taste the bitter of the not yet. We, in short, go back, that we might look forward to His coming. (Robert Charles Sproul)

1. Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King! (3x)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
We are going to see the King!

2. No more crying there
We are going to see the King! (3x)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
We are going to see the King!

3. No more dying there
We are going to see the King! (3x)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
We are going to see the King!

4. Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King! (3x)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
We are going to see the King!

Prayer

O Christ the King, the sweetness of the manger in the past is mingled with a present bitterness for the future. I long for the promised hopes in You to be fulfilled, from the resurrection and eternal life to the fullness of Your Kingdom. In returning to things of old in this blessed Advent season, let me find a sweetness in things to come with joyful expectation. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 34, Isaiah 35, and Isaiah 36

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

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

Isaiah 32:18

Thought

If your faith and hope are in God, then you have a security that none can destroy. (Charles Spurgeon)

1. Touch down to earth, here in a manger
A humble landing in a quiet place
Be still, O stars, wait for the angels
To sing their golden song of praise

Your father’s arms tenderly catch You
And Your mother’s tears baptize your head
Be still my heart, as light pours around us
Wonder has found us, Emmanuel
[CHORUS]
And all is well, all is well
God with us, Emmanuel

2. And my heart, it aches and it rejoices
Ponder these prayers in the secret place
Be still my soul, see the heaven open
All that was broken is made new again
[CHORUS]

3. So go to the fields, go to the mountains
Sweep out the shadows, there’s good news to tell
Be still, O sorrow, for joy has found us
Grace to surround us, Emmanuel
[CHORUS]

Prayer

O God in Whom I have my faith and highest hope, I simply ask that I would be secure in You alone. You Whose Word assures me that all is truly well, for Christ has healed all brokenness and brought joy for all sorrows. Through Him to You I pray. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 31, Isaiah 32, and Isaiah 33

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

All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, Whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.

Isaiah 28:29

Thought

Remember what it is that we are celebrating: God’s loving plan to bring you home to Himself, through the gift of Jesus Christ. (Kerry van der Vinne)

1. Lo, how a rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As seers of old have sung
It came, a floweret bright
Amid the cold of winter
When half-spent was the night

2. Isaiah ’twas foretold it
The rose I have in mind
With Mary we behold it
The Virgin mother kind
To show God’s love aright
She bore to us a Savior
When half-spent was the night

3. This flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air
Dispels in glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere
True man, yet very God
From sin and death He saves us
And bears our every load

Prayer

Gracious Father, I rejoice at all the plans You have for me, and the greatest plan was to send Your Son Who showed Your love to me. Give me patience to trust in you as Your providence unfolds and blooms with blessings that fill my heart with thanks and ceaseless praises. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 28, Isaiah 29, and Isaiah 30

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

Lord, You establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished You have done for us.

Isaiah 26:2

Thought

Advent is the perfect time to clear and prepare the Way. Advent is a winter training camp for those who desire peace. (Edward Hays)

1. O Lord of life, our only hope
Your radiance shines
On all who look to You in the dark
Emmanuel come, come light our heart
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in You
Truly our hope is in You

2. Oh Joy above, all other loves
In You we find, more than enough
We come as we are, O heal and restore,
Come light our hearts
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in You
Truly our hope is in You

Prayer

Precious Jesus, not only are You Emmanuel, You are also the Prince of Peace that calms the troubled soul. While awaiting the peace that comes when the Advent season is over, I enjoy the peace within it and pray that others might know it. May they know it through Your mercies which are new every day, and may they know it through my life which testifies of Your light and grace. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 25, Isaiah 26, and Isaiah 27

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

From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One.”

Isaiah 24:16

Thought

The glory of Advent and Christmas is camouflaged by humility, anonymity and even foolishness, for our God likes to hide himself beneath his opposite. (Chad Bird)

1. Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

3. Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

4. See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Prayer

O Wondrous God, Your glory and Your splendour were not revealed in the palaces and treasures of this world. They came to be displayed within a simple village, where the ordinary welcomed an extraordinary moment. In a humble village lowly people at a manger saw a King and heard a song of homage from the angels. May I, like them, behold Your glory and Your splendour, and especially in the ordinary things that I see each day. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 22, Isaiah 23, and Isaiah 24

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

It will be a sign and witness to the Lord Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, He will send them a Savior and Defender, and He will rescue them.

Isaiah 19:20

Thought

Now search your heart, and ask whether you believe that God is your God, Father, Savior, and Deliverer, who wants to rescue you. (Martin Luther)

1. Father, enthroned on high
Holy, holy!
Ancient eternal Light
Hear our prayer.
[CHORUS]
Come, O Redeemer, come;
Grant us mercy.
Come, O Redeemer, come;
Grant us peace.

2. Lord, save us from the dark
Of our striving,
Faithless, troubled hearts
Weighed down.
[CHORUS]

3. Look now upon our need;
Lord, be with us.
Heal us and make us free
From our sin.
[CHORUS]

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I believe and proclaim with all of my heart that You have truly rescued me through Christ my Sure Redeemer. Thank You for the deliverance that came when He was born, and thank You for the deliverance that will come when He returns. Through Him I pray to You. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 19, Isaiah 20, and Isaiah 21

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

In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— One from the house of David— One Who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Isaiah 16:5

Thought

Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern. (Teresa of Calcutta)

1. My shoulders are narrow
My body is weak
I haven’t got any good words to speak
My heart often falters
My footing’s unsure
Under the weight of the world
The weight of the world
The weight of the world
Under the weight of the world (2x)

2. This is no load for one person to bear
Just one is able, just one anywhere
I’ll take it all to King Jesus in prayer
He’s strong for the weight of the world
The weight of the world
The weight of the world
He’s strong for the weight of the world (2x)

3. I am not able for all of my cares
Even my winnings are more than I’ll bear
I’ll take it all to King Jesus in prayer
He’s strong for the weight of the world
The weight of the world
The weight of the world
He’s strong for the weight of the world (2x)

4. The fabric of faith is too strong to tear
Woven by Christ, the saints daily will wear
A surety that Jesus, so strong and so fair
Has carried the weight of the world
The weight of the world
The weight of the world
He’s carried the weight of the world (2X)

Prayer

Gracious Father, just as You have shown love and concern unto the world, show these things through me that the world might know the One You sent. Jesus Christ, Who carried its weight while carrying a cross. To Him be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 16, Isaiah 17, and Isaiah 18

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

All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing.

Isaiah 14:7

Thought

You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in You. (Augustine of Hippo)

1. What child is this Who laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping
[CHORUS]
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The babe, the son of Mary

2. Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding
Good Christian fear, for sinners here
The Silent Word is pleading
[CHORUS]

3. So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come peasant king to own Him
The King of kings, salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
[CHORUS]

Prayer

In this season You call Your people to enjoy a daily Sabbath. Therefore, O Son of Mary, I seek to rest within the waiting. Forgive me for the times when I have idolised being busy, and give to me Your perfect peace which calms the restless heart. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 13, Isaiah 14, and Isaiah 15

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

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2

Thought

As we return to the manger, let us not forget the meaning of His birth and the purpose of His life. He came to save, deliver, and redeem us: O come, let us adore Him!” (Jean-Michel Hansen)

1. O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

2. O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

Prayer

My Lord Jesus, as I enjoy the festivities of Advent, from calendars and decorations to special foods and music, I joyfully acknowledge the reason for Your birth. You were born not to add to the lists of celebrations, but to save the world from sin and death through a cross beyond the manger. And for this I give You praise and adoration. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 10, Isaiah 11, and Isaiah 12

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