Christmas Blessings: Advent Readings by Lynne Modranski, #20

By Lynne Modranski

. The Bible contains an abundance of promises from our Heavenly Father, and many of them point to the coming of Christ, either the first time or the second. How would your life change if you realized each blessing was meant for you?

 

The weekly themes for these devotions:

The Candle of the Patriarchs – The first week we'll look at blessings given to the mothers and fathers of the faith.

The Candle of Prophecy – The second week our focus will turn to blessings pronounced by the men of God who brought the Word to the world.

The Candle of His Presence – A focus on the blessings for those who live in Christ's presence.

The Candle of Promise – Jesus told us He would return for us. This last week, we'll concentrate on our Savior's second advent.

It all begins four Sundays before Christmas. Each reading features scripture that will become a little more alive to you and aha moments to bless you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lynne Modranski
• Release date: Jul 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201441708

Lynne Modranski

Meet Lynne Modranski Lynne began studying scripture in her youth but learned as many rules as she did memory verses. By her twenties she questioned just about everything she’d been taught. She wanted to know the truth. To that end she began digging into scripture, and there she found freedom. Through her studies and her new relationship with Jesus, Lynne discovered her passion to teach, encourage and evangelize. When she combined that with her love to write, she found her heart on paper in songs, devotions, Bible studies and more.             Currently Lynne leads worship and small groups at Sycamore Tree Church where her husband pastors. She golfs and swims with her grandchildren and crochets and colors all winter.             She’d love to hear from you! Go ahead and send an e-mail! [e-mail]

Book preview

Introduction to Advent

Welcome to the Christmas season. The church calls these weeks ‘Advent’ from the Latin ‘to come.’ We begin the celebration four Sundays before Christmas to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child as well as our Savior’s second coming. The first translated the love of God into terms humans could understand, the second promises our Creator will rescue His created.

Many use an Advent Wreath to help with the celebration. While not necessary, it offers rich symbolism.

Made of evergreen branches, the color and the circular nature of the wreath remind us of the never-ending love of Jesus Christ. Sometimes red berries decorate the wreath, reminding us of the blood of Christ.

Five candles represent His light. Each week we light one more, making the room brighter as we get closer to the celebration of the arrival of the Christ Child. The color of the candles isn’t important; however the most traditional wreaths use three purple representing the royalty of Jesus and one pink, reminding us of the joy and hope of the season. Other folks use deep blue or red candles. Like the purple, these colors call to mind the Kingship of Christ.

A candle of white sits in the center waiting for Christmas Eve. We call this one the Christ Candle and light it to remember the Son of God is holy and pure.

A Note to You

Hi! Thanks so much for reading this bit before the book starts. So many folks skip right by. We’ll use the theme Christmas Blessings this year. The Bible contains an abundance of promises from our Heavenly Father, and many of them point to the coming of Christ, either the first time or the second. I hope you realize each blessing was meant for you!

This year we’ll call the four candles:

›  The Candle of the Patriarchs – The first week we’ll look at blessings given to the mothers and fathers of the faith.

›  The Candle of Prophecy – The second week our focus will turn to blessings pronounced by the men of God who brought the Word to the world.

›  The Candle of His Presence – A focus on the blessings for those who live in Christ’s presence.

›  The Candle of Promise – Jesus told us He would return for us. This last week, we’ll concentrate on our Savior’s second advent.

It all begins four Sundays before Christmas, but I’m already excited about these short devotions. As I’ve written them, every scripture has become a little more alive to me, and I hope my aha moments will bless you, too.

Live Blessed,

Lynne

The First Week of Advent

The Candle of the Patriarchs

The First Sunday of Advent

The First Blessing

Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image,

in our likeness, so that they may rule

over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky,

over the livestock and all the wild animals,

and over all the creatures

that move along the ground."

So God created mankind in his own image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them,

"Be fruitful and increase in number;

fill the earth and subdue it.

Rule over the