Advent 2025 - Week 4: Preparing with Love


Sunday, December 21 - The Humble Love of a Hidden King


Scripture: Micah 5:2,4-5a
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel… He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord… And he will be our peace.”

Reflection: Jesus’ arrival subverts expectations. He comes as a humble king, born in a stable, far from earthly power. Yet his mission is profound: to restore, shepherd, and bring peace. This Advent, reflect on the humility of God’s love and the unexpected ways he shows up in your life.

Questions:
  • How does the humility of Jesus’ birth impact your understanding of God’s love?
  • Where in your life do you need to see God’s peace and shepherding presence?
Practice: Take a few minutes to sit quietly and reflect on God’s unexpected ways of showing love. Invite Him to show you where His peace is breaking into your life.


Monday, December 22 - Immanuel: Love Draws Near

Scripture: Matthew 1:22-23
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).”

Reflection: Immanuel—God with us. The greatest miracle is not just that God saves, but that He is near. Love and closeness with God are central to His mission. This week, imagine Jesus being near to you personally, in the intimate details of your life.

Questions:
  • What feelings come to mind when you imagine Jesus being near?
  • Do you trust His nearness in your daily life? Why or why not?
Practice: Spend a few moments placing yourself in God’s presence. Visualize Him with you in your day-to-day life and invite Him into your heart.


Tuesday, December 23 - The Shepherding Love That Knows You

Scripture: Micah 5:4
“He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.”

Reflection: The Messiah is both ruler and shepherd—exercising power and drawing close. God’s love is not distant or abstract; He intimately knows your life and cares for your story. This duality invites us to trust Him with both our struggles and our joys.

Questions:
  • How do you experience God’s nearness and care in daily life?
  • Are there areas you are hesitant to let Him shepherd?
Practice: Write down one area of your life where you need God’s guidance and surrender it to Him in prayer. Ask Him to lead you with love and wisdom.


Wednesday, December 24 - Living Secure in God’s Love and Peace

Scripture: Micah 5:5a
“And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace.”

Reflection: God’s peace, or shalom, is not just the absence of conflict—it is wholeness, restoration, and flourishing. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, consider how God invites you to live securely in His love, free from fear or striving.

Questions:
  • In what areas of your life do you long for shalom?
  • How might God be inviting you to embrace His peace fully?
Practice: Take 5–10 quiet minutes to breathe deeply and ask God to fill your heart with His shalom. Notice how His presence settles your spirit.


Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day) - Love Made Flesh, God With Us

Scripture: Matthew 1:23
“Immanuel—God with us.”

Reflection: The miracle of Christmas is God’s love made tangible. He comes near, dwelling with us. Today, celebrate His presence in the ordinary and extraordinary moments. Let this reality shape your interactions and your heart.

Questions:
  • How does God’s presence change the way you see your family, friends, or neighbors today?
  • How can you receive His love in the midst of Christmas busyness?
Practice: Pause in a moment of stillness today, whether morning or evening. Thank God for His nearness and consider sharing a tangible act of love with someone around you.


Friday, December 26 - The Everlasting Love That Restores

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Reflection: God’s love is both tender and powerful. The Messiah brings peace and restoration. Even after the excitement of Christmas, God invites us to dwell in His love and extend it to others. The gift of Immanuel continues beyond a single day.

Questions:
  • How can you continue to experience and extend God’s love after Christmas?
  • Where do you need His guidance and peace today?
Practice: Write down one way you can act as an instrument of God’s love in the coming week. Pray for courage and wisdom to follow through.


Saturday, December 27 - Living as the Beloved of God

Scripture: 1 John 4:16
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

Reflection: Love is the heart of Advent. God’s love is personal, restorative, and enduring. As this week concludes, consider how His love has been present in your life and how you might share it with others. Being beloved is central to your identity and the essence of Christmas.

Questions:
  • Do you feel like God’s beloved? Why or why not?
  • How can you practice living in and sharing God’s love in the coming days?
Practice: Open up with a trusted friend or family member. Share something God has been teaching you about His love. Take note of areas of brokenness and offer them to God, trusting Him to heal and restore.



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