Daily Bible Reading Plans to help you read and understand God’s Word

Scripture Reading: John 14:18-26, John 15:25-27, John 16:1-15, Acts 1:1-11

During Advent, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Son of God who was born of a virgin to bring salvation and hope to the world. We rejoice in Immanuel, the Lord who is with us. 

There’s something about the images of a newborn infant asleep in a manger next to an exhausted new mama and an overwhelmed new father that makes God oh so relatable. He’s not a distant God, far enough from us that we are unsure of how to pray to or approach Him. He is the One His followers could touch and feel, the One who stooped to conquer, who chose the vulnerable and weak form of a crying baby to save a broken humanity. It’s this God—who comes to us motivated by radical love—that we long for and rejoice in.

We often forget though that God’s nearness extends beyond Jesus’s birth. Jesus came to earth and dwelt among us so that the Spirit of God might one day dwell within us. Once Jesus came to earth, His arrival and departure back to the Father made a way for the Holy Spirit to come and reside in believers. So great is God’s love for us that He is not content to merely live amongst us, but it is His good will to live within us.

This is good news for those of us who feel alone, forgotten by those around us, left behind by those we loved and grieve for, or misunderstood by those we long to connect with. During a time of year where the idyllic Christmas images of family gatherings and exchanging of gifts and laughter around a Christmas tree awaken feelings of loneliness, we can take great comfort in knowing we are not alone. God is with us. His very Spirit brings us peace (John 14:27).

For those of us at a crossroads and unsure of what path to take or facing a difficult situation and unsure of what to do, we can rejoice because we are not alone in our decision-making. The Spirit of God is our Advocate who teaches and guides us (v.26). We can navigate life’s uncertainties because of the wisdom of the Holy Spirit at work within us.

This Advent, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, yes—and we also rejoice in the gift of the Holy Spirit given to all who believe in Him! We are not alone in this world, and we are not left to our devices. We have power from on high, the Spirit of all wisdom and truth, leading and directing our steps. He empowers us to live in God’s love and in His will. Today, thank Jesus for the gift of His Spirit! Invite Him to minister to your heart, reveal truth, and lead you throughout your day.

Written by Nicole Smithee