How do we as Christians – as a community focused on advocacy – show up in a period of uncertainty? Our Advent devotional wrestles with this question. Advent, as a season of waiting and uncertainty, is an especially appropriate time to reflect on this question.
Each weekly devotional message approaches this question through the lens of the traditional Advent themes of peace, love, joy, and hope.
Michael Wear urges us to move toward God so that we might experience God’s peace and take it into the world. Rev. Lori Tapia invites us to love our neighbors when political polarization makes it challenging. Rev. Heather Taylor shares a model for finding joy in darkness. And Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson reminds us that we can find hope in God’s presence with us.
This devotional is appropriate for both individuals and groups. It is structured with scripture that comes from the Revised Common Lectionary, a reflection, a prayer, and a prompt for deeper reflection and discussion.
One practice that is helpful in times of uncertainty is to slow down and ground ourselves in our bodies. Take your time as you read. While the reflections are short, there is a lot packed into each of them. Every person may engage with each devotional in different ways. In group settings, you might consider building in time for stillness in silence or with musical accompaniment, discussion of the question provided or other pieces of the devotional, and prayer with the text provided and/or prayer specifically for one another.
On behalf of Bread for the World staff, we wish you a meaningful and joy-filled Advent.
– Rev. Nancy Neal
Here are Bread for the World’s 2025 weekly Advent themes:
Week 1: “Being Peace”
Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5 and Psalm 122
Reflection: Peace comes from the Lord. He causes the nations to change their foreign policies. While they once invested in tools to kill and destroy, they will now invest in tools to grow and nurture. The people ascend the mountain of the Lord, and everything changes!
This Advent, we wait on the Lord, who can teach us and change us into people of peace.
– Michael Wear
Week 2: “Being Love”
Scripture: Romans 15:5-13, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Reflection: As Advent people in uncertain times, the call to love becomes both a hope and a challenge. The words of Paul in Romans invite us to live in harmony, “so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
– Rev. Lori Tapia
Week 3: “Being Joy”
Scripture: Luke 1:46b-55, Psalm 46:5-10
Reflection: Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1 is a renowned song of praise in the Advent season. It is a direct response to God’s prophetic word to her in a profoundly dark time.
Christ’s birth is not only a witness of God’s glory, but also a reflection of our Creator’s desire to send light, hope, and transformative power in the darkest of times through us as conduits if we remain humble and believe God’s Word.
– Rev. Heather Taylor
Week 4: “Being Hope”
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Reflection: Advent is a time and season of expectation. Great expectation. The coming of the Christ child brings mystery, hope, and signs of God’s presence at work in the world.
Advent is a reminder that God is with us. We carry with us this hope that God is present and does not leave us. As people of faith, we bring with us the truth that God’s presence with us makes the difference in the world.
– Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson
Download Bread for the World’s free Advent devotional for in-depth scriptures, reflections, and prayers.
Bread for the World
Advent Devotional
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