This guide is intended to follow along with Trinity’s Advent sermon series, “All I Want for Christmas.” We invite you to join us as we explore our heart’s deepest desires and discover how the arrival of Christ at Christmas meets our deepest needs. We pray that this Advent, we would be reminded to slow down, pay attention to the stirrings in our hearts, and receive a fuller revelation of who Jesus is with and for us.
We will be looking deeply at a passage from Isaiah that includes a prophetic list of names about the coming Messiah:
“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned…
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:2,6
Each week we will look at one identity of Jesus from this verse. For each weekday, related Bible passages are provided and you are invited to set aside some time to meditate daily on those verses in the style of Lectio Divina. Come and dwell with Christ and “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).
As we embark on this Advent journey, ask yourself this question: “What are my heart’s deepest desires?” Spend some time reflecting and writing down what you feel. In the coming days, look back on what you’ve written in light of what you will read and study about Jesus.
Lectio Divina
“Lectio divina” is Latin for “divine reading.” It is a traditional monastic practice of slowly and repeatedly reading Scripture and being attentive to the presence and voice of God through the living Word. As you read the Bible passages each day, do so in a quiet, unhurried way through the four traditional movements: lectio, meditatio, oratio, and contemplatio.
Lectio: Read through the verses several times slowly and attentively to understand what is being said. Be aware of God’s presence with you and in His Word. Identify a word or phrase that sticks out to you.
Meditatio: Focus or meditate on the word or phrase and ask what the Lord might be wanting to say to you through it. Write down your reflections.
Oratio: Now respond to God in spoken prayer. What is stirred up in your heart from your time reading and meditating? Share those things freely and fully with the Father.
Comtempatio: Rest in silent awareness of God’s loving presence around and within you. Know that He hears and understands your heart. Picture your heart being filled to overflowing with His love.
Weekly Devotionals for Adults
Week One
Jesus Is the Light of the World
