Scotty Williams

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.

See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.

Isaiah 38:19

Thought

When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize Him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord. (Henri Nouwen)

1. Meekness and Majesty,
Manhood and Deity.
In perfect harmony;
The Man Who is God.
Lord of Eternity,
Dwells in humanity
Kneels in humility, and washes our feet
[CHORUS]
O what a mystery, Meekness and Majesty
Bow down and worship,
For this is your God! This is your God!

2. Father’s Pure Radiance;
Perfect in innocence
Yet, loves obedience
To death on a cross
Suffering to give us life,
Conquering through sacrifice
And as they crucified, pray’s “Father forgive”
[CHORUS]

3. Wisdom Unsearchable,
God the Invisible
Love Indestructible
In frailty appears
Lord of Infinity
Stopping so tenderly
Lifts our humanity to the heights of His throne
[CHORUS]

Prayer

Meek and Majestic Lord, I look for You this season, and pray for eyes to see and recognise Your holy presence. Help me to be aware of Your works within my life, and Your works within the world which reveal that you are God. Amen.

Daily Readings

Isaiah 40, Isaiah 41, and Isaiah 42

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

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.