Wow. What a month December has been!
It has been our JOY to walk through this advent season with you. The way you have so openly approached the season and the scripture, the manner in which you have shared with and encouraged one another in comments or on instagram, Facebook and twitter — We’ve been watching with awe and gratitude at what God is doing in this lovely community.
Thank you. Thank you for spending such a precious season with us.
Now. It’s time to answer your question: What’s next?
First: Let’s Gather ‘Round the Table
Is it just us, or has this advent season felt like a feast for the soul? Even in the midst of holiday busyness, family craziness and general life insanity, the nearness and mercy of Jesus found us in these stories. In the Story. We read it with new eyes, and we hope that you did, too.
We want to hear from you. You hear from us all the time – too much. :) We want to hear from you, and we want you to hear from each other.
We’d love to spend the next few days sharing how God has met us, comforted us, challenged us and extended mercy to us over the last 30 days. We want to create a virtual table, of sorts, a table where all are welcome, where we can talk with one another over warm coffee and good food, listen intently and speak boldly. Would you join us?
Here’s the virtual “meeting” schedule:
Today, December 30 – We’d love for you to share your overall, one-sentence impression of what this advent season meant to you. It can be simple, profound, practical, spiritual: just your gut-level reaction of “This. This is what I’m taking away.”
Tomorrow, December 31 – We’ll ask you to share the scripture that most resonated with you on your advent journey.
Wednesday, January 1 – We’ll invite you to share how the Action element of the plan affected your advent experience. Was there an action that was particularly symbolic for you, or perhaps one you were reluctant to “perform” but found to be surprisingly meaningful?
Thursday, January 2 – We’ll talk about how our New Year resolutions and revolutions are affected by the baby in a manger, the reality of our God who became man.
Then: Let’s Rest in Truth
We know the advent plan was somewhat of a marathon, and we want to give you a couple days to rest, breathe a little, marinate in all we’ve learned from our time in the Word and with one another.
We’ll take Friday, Saturday and Sunday – January 3, 4, 5 – to read a few Psalms together, to praise God for all we’ve seen and heard, and to ready our hearts for our next reading journey.
And finally: Fresh Start!
On Monday, January 6, we’ll begin our next reading plan – Fresh Start 2014. We cannot wait to venture into the new year with you, you beautiful women (and men!) you.
THANK YOU for gathering here with us.
THANK YOU for seeking the Lord so honestly and openly.
THANK YOU for reading God’s Word faithfully and allowing your hearts to be transformed.
We are honored to be on this journey with you and we so look forward to seeking the Lord in 2014 with you!
Love,
Amanda, Raechel, Diana & Hayley
_________________________
discussion
Share your overall, one-sentence impression of what this advent season meant to you. It can be simple, profound, practical, spiritual: just your gut-level reaction of “This. This is the what I’m taking away”.
Leave a Reply
145 thoughts on "gather ’round + rest"
Gods faithfulness, love & provision in Jesus our saving grace! Also reminded me of how God has shown these divine characteristics this past year. He is always the same. He never changes. He only gets better the more I know him.
I have never done a Bible study during Advent until I started following SRT. This 2013 Advent season in particular, it opened me up to see the importance of His birth just like when we commemorate His death and ressurection during Easter. It’s the first time I even attended a Christmas Eve church service. Every Advent season from now on, I will always do a study or reading plan. This added to my Christmas season was new and different, but the Word was at the forefront and it keeps Christ in Christmas.
I became lost during advent. I never found my footing. I realized my marriage is over. I am desperately praying that the new year will be better.
God has loved me since the foundation of the world; loved me with a serious, real, all-action kinda love.
This was the first year I was intentional about any kind of personal Advent commemoration that I was able to stick with (besides the Advent chocolate calendar for the kids), and I have to say- it made the holidays so much more richer and gave me an added level of peace. It was a beautiful and inspiring season.
I’ve heard before that we should be waiting in anticipation of Christ’s coming, and this series helped me to do that in this season of remembering His first coming as well as looking forward to the second.
This advent season has offered fresh air, fresh perspective and has been completely life-giving to this momma’s weary soul.
I was reminded that Christ does not need- nor does He look for- a perfect place in our hearts to dwell. He takes us as we are- sees our sin & brokenness- and willingly takes His place in us. Absolutely astounding grace.
What LOVE, What Joy in my heart, so so overwhelming! what a gift of Love, Thank you Lord, thank you! !
AMEN! X
A little behind here…{smiles}…
God had a intricate plan from the beginning of time for our redemption…what power that holds for me in knowing that I can put all my hope and trust in Him.
I couldn't sum it up in one sentence…I needed a whole blog post! http://journeyingwithhim.wordpress.com/2013/12/28… thank you all for a wonderful and life changing plan!
The thought that jumped out at me from this advent study was from the the Dec. 16 study, from the time I awaken to be quietly outing forth Christ in my life. Awesome!
The waiting season makes it that much sweeter in the end – hopeful.
Thankful for being able to keep Jesus, THE CENTER!
This advent season I was yearning for the coming celebration of Christ's birth and His second coming. What wonderful hope we have in our Savior!
This advent season has taught/re-taught me that by letting Jesus in, I can begin a fresh new life with Him. That is the best gift of all.
This advent season = no stress. Connecting with Jesus daily meant PEACE! Thank you so much!
This advent season, I'm taking away that the awesome "arrival" of that baby Jesus over 2000 years ago, with His arrival into my life as Savior and Lord, remains as significant, worthwhile and ever so vital as to His "arrival" for each and every one of us yet to come; as "God with us", an awesome reminder of Emmanuel made alive each day, I give Him my utmost in praise, adoration, worship, thanks and emphasis on more Action (as that new application of the word in this SRT devotion plus the beautiful music bonus, Loved this!)
Blessings and rest to all of you, I so enjoyed reading all 125 before me (great seeing so many respond) as I prayed for you "thumbs up" … SRT team and commUnity Happy New Year 2014! Be blessed, not stressed, REST and keep PREPARING for Our King and His arrival yet to come!
Peggy
The SRT advent series touched my grieving heart and heloed restore to me the joy of my salvation. Kneeling at the manger pointed me to the redemptive work of the cross. (More than one sentence I know. Sorry!)
God was deeply intentional in bringing His Son into this world. Every detail, person and circumstance was used by Him.
Getting out if the way & letting God be God.
This season He taught me that he will provide. I never knew Bethlehem meant “bread”, and the thought that He is the Great Provider meant so much more. He will provide daily; and he came so that he can care and provide our daily needs.
Amen Sarabeth … I was giving you a thumbs up but it didn't look like it gave you mine yet says I already commented so that must mean that it gave you a thumbs down and I'm so sorry cuz that's not what I clicked (but I don't see neither counted) … Jehovah Jireh as our Provider does mean so much more. Thanks for reminding us and that's a "thumbs up"!!! Blessings as He continues to provide in 2014 every need!
He holds the past, present, and future in His hands and He is ALWAYS for us.
Thankful, and amazed, by God's blessings.
Being "present" (not distracted) with God and loved ones is so much greater than any present that you can give. Our pastor preached a wonderful service and at the end, he used a video of some of our veterans coming home. As each of their children saw their father or mother, there were no gifts in their hands, just the parent. They screamed with glee and began to cry with joy. In the same way, our Father in Heaven wants us to return "home" to Him. Presence > Presence ladies … Remember this in 2014. It is a slogan I will not forget.
Presence > Presents … that is to say !!
This reading was challenging and convicting, as I realized I put more time and effort on events and gifts instead of Christ.
This advent for me has been learning peace despite my circumstances. A peace that passes understanding while I trust Him for things I cannot see.
Just like the Spirit pushes forward Jesus, I need to intentionally "do what needs to be done to put forward Jesus" in my everyday life.
This advent taught me I need to draw much closer to him
This is my first advent season in a few years. It found me during a time of helplessness, loss, and lack of guidance. Today I can no longer say I feel that way. This advent has silently transformed me so that now I can vocally attest to the wonders of our faith. It has been a pleasure and I do look forward to the more that is to come.
Mary didn't just have a little boy; Mary had a little lamb.
"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" – John 1:29
advent has been wonderful this 2013,so hopeful and exciting and to encourage you guys on here i have a prayer wall already made for my room for 2014 and a diary where i will write a verse every day and a ladies ann spangler daily devotion,excited to see what god opens up in this and excited how i can grow and encourage others,blessings vickixx
The beginning of His precious promises fulfilled.
I actually took the time after the rush of business and holiday to sit in my rocker next to my fireplace, coffee, Bible and dog. So greatful for the Words and peace. I know God has been with me the whole time. A much needed rest for my body and Soul. Thank you Jesus!!
This advent season has shown me that how much we need the Holy Spirit, humbleness and humility. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
This Advent through She Reads Truth and my church I really began to understand what God did for us. He sent his SON to be born and walk among us, take up our sins and die for us. I've "heard" it all before but never really felt it and understood it like I did this month.
He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all–how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32 NIV
God started out from the beginning giving us His absolute best-His Son. He didn’t build up to this, He set the standard by giving us His best first; anything that follows will point back to this moment. Come to the Father who graciously gives to His children.
This advent season made me feel surrounded by the Holy Spirit and I think, even though I've heard the "story" many times, it resonated with me more than ever.
This advent study reminded me of faithfulness and beauty that comes only with God.
This advent season has given me so many new revelations and brought me closer to God.
I just recently joined reading and I love God so much. Thank God for His greatness. Be blessed.
My heart has been touched thinking of our Savior coming into the world in the form of a baby human – there is nothing more vulnerable. Thinking about Mary caring for Him as I care for my baby brings me to tears. He had his diaper changed. He nursed. He learned do walk and talk. Christmas is taken to a whole new level when you become a mom :) To think, that Little Baby grew up to be my Savior. Makes Him seem that much more approachable.
This advent season, although I already knew the story, I enjoyed basking in The Lords love for me. Knowing how big my God is.
Jesus' entrance into the world has taken on a whole new meaning for me this advent season.
Thankful that Jesus came as a baby for my salvation.
How awe-inspiring the love of God is: That He should humbly become man, so that we could learn what it is to love him in the way that He desires- without fear or limitation.
Let this always stay with me. Love is here.
Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
This advent season my eyes have been opened to the way adoration brings focus and allows us to continue in a lifestyle of worship despite the craziness that the craziness that the holiday brings.
Refreshment
The rest in God sustained me though the journey to Bethlehem. Oh come,let us adore HIM, Christ The Lord.
I was reminded that the joy and excitement of what God has done and is doing does not have to be limited to the advent season.
This is the first year I've truly had a relationship with God, and this is first season I've celebrated Christmas as a celebration of Christ's birth. The joy I usually feel on Christmas that fades so harshly on December 26th didn't fade! Because Jesus came, and He is still here! Still with us, all year long. I have this joy every single day forever.
Praise God, Ashely! I've spent the majority of my 25 years as a believer and yet it is still so easy for me to get swept up in the consumerism and commercialism we find ourselves surrounded by at Christmas. I pray that you continue to seek his joy each new day!
My boyfriend of 4.5 years and I broke up just before Christmas. At first I was completely devastated, especially given the circumstances of the breakup. After a few days, I woke up and realized that I have a God who loves me unconditionally and will never stop loving me. Losing my best friend and boyfriend of so long only emphasized the unfailing love that God has for us. What a blessing!
I have been overwhelmed(in the best way) by the Holy Spirit and all the good teachings of the Bible. I love learning more and more of the Bible.
This last study stopped all the swirling of life and settled me each day. Thank you
I was reawakened to the depth of God's love that I haven't sensed in a long time.
This month I have felt closer to God than I have for a long time!
My favorite part (that I can remember)
“From the time she wakes up “Jamie” is quietly doing what needs to be done to put forward Jesus Christ as the Son of Godand Savior of man.”
And oh how much I want this to be said of me.
( such great stuff Ladies, thank you!)
"Behold your God" I learned to sit still during this busy season and Focus on the Glory of the Manger to the Cross. I want to be impressed and overwhelmed by Him alone!!!!
It was a beautiful, fresh look at Gods redemption plan, and a sweet reminder of His love for us.
I felt Christ telling me love simply during this advent season.
Following a difficult 11 months, this Advent season represented a time to rest, reflect, and be renewed in the hope, promises, and truth of Jesus. <3
As a mom of three boys, and as all Moms are, full of hopes and dreams for them, Mary, was who resonated with me. How her heart must have been so overwhelmed, with her hopes for her son, yet knowing he would be much greater than that!
This study helped me to focus more on Christ and His grace, love and mercy amid the hustle and bustle of the world.
best Advent series I ever used :) Fresh appreciation of the wonder of our Lord becoming a babe, living among us as one of us-yet without sin." My Lord & My God" in the words of Thomas!!
I am overwhelmed after this advent season. There is so much truth and goodness that has been poured into my life that I know that God wants me to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer/reader in 2014.
Anticipation and resting in His Peace…perfect Peace.
As many others have shared, this Advent study really brought so much of the scripture together in a way I'd not seen before… how the Old Testament truly spelled out what to expect around our Savior's arrival. We also did a group Advent study at our church, and both hit on the term "marginal" to describe those God sent His son to save, in the same week. This felt like a profound message to me. Who am I to judge others when God sent Jesus to save all of mankind?
We have the truest, most precious hope to which nothing in this world can compare.
The beautiful & Holy Uncreated One willingly stepped into our broken & sinful world, created by His hand, to take upon himself a lifetime of challenges and pain…our ugliness, for His ultimate glory, and our ultimate good.
Simple, simplify, look for and don’t miss Me in the everyday.
His love is greater than all my sin, his timing is not like ours, and He keeps his promises–we wait now for his glorious appearing!
I was surprised by peace. In a year I expected would be filled with sorrow, he brought peace and even excitement back to the waiting.
This was a very stressful christmas season. My family is no longer one unit and we had to create new traditions trying to respect each others space. Yet Gods love was everywhere, His peace surrounded me and held me up enabling me to smile and look hopefully into tne future. Through this whole season i was being told, the old is gone, the new is here, i am not alone, He is always with me. He loved me enough to come to this earth and renew a covenant with undeserving me, what amazing love. Thank you all for sharing your faith and belief so openly this year. Im not sure where i would be today without visiting with you all every morning. God bless you all.
Just ONE thing? Ohh that's hard. But I guess it would be that through this devotional as we prepared for his first advent I was reminded that we are in a season of preparation still for his second coming. And thanks be to God he left us Hi s Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us through it until he returns again. Made me consider my preparedness for His return.
I really felt a focus on the fact that we are not of this world… That we must live for eternity in every moment… Not stress about all of these wordly distractions but fix our eyes on eternity!
Amen.
Again I am reminded of God's incredible love for me and His faithfulness. The Messiah's birth was prophesied centuries before it occurred; God's plan may be long (in human terms) in coming, but it comes–He came knowing He would die so that I might have a relationship with God!
God gave His best in Jesus – a gift that I can never deserve yet desperately need and am so thankful for!
This advent season, I shared with my husband that I felt my heart and soul were the most prepared spiritually they have ever been, which meant I was LEAST prepared in the worldly, tangible way, which I was 100% okay with. So grateful for SRT studies and how they challenge me!
this advent season, I was reminded of the truth that God is always with me, even in times of loneliness, times of waiting, times of sorrow–especially in those times.
"Christ's incarnation and ultimate sacrifice were not Plan B." It still amazes me that God thought of each one of us in sending His Son. I can't get over the intrusiveness of our God!
It was amazing to be reminded that it was God's plan to send Jesus to save us from the beginning in the Garden of Eden.
This season I let the busyness and chaos go – choosing to pass over a lot of the meaningless activities I usually knock myself trying to squeeze in- and basked in the Truth of the season. So simple yet so so so big… God loves us so much that He sent His son Emmanuel. And God was and IS with us!!!
Advent reminded me that Jesus’ coming was long expected and anticipated, but it was revealed to those who were humble, longing, and whose hearts were ready for His coming… their response was adoration and praise to God.
This advent I felt more aware of the true meaning of Christmas – that all the rest is fun and can be meaningful but does in itself not make Christmas.
Him. It is All. About. Him. He is Alpha and Omega yet he put on flesh and “dwelt among us”…
This has been a first for me. To stay faithful in my readings, daily. I'm blessed, because of SRT, I've grown so close to the Lord this Advent Season. These past days have lead me to realize so much, not only about me but about our Lord. 1. We aren't just preparing ourselves for His birth, but for Him to return for us.
I put the Messiah first; I thought about Him, praised Him and thanked Him–my focus was on HIM this advent season!
Having lost a dear friend in September, I had a really hard time getting in the spirit this year. Reading through this plan helped me remember all the reasons why He came. And that He really is with us.
This advent season is about Jesus taking away every burden from me and replacing it with His weightless grace.
His weightless grace.! I love that!
Happy is she who believed that The Lord would fulfill the promises He made to her. Luke 1:45
POWERFUL!!
Thank You Father, God with us!
This advent was about Love and Gratitude to God for giving us his salvation through the birth of Jesus Christ
God is ALWAYS faithful.
Luke 1:37 "for no word from God will ever fail"
Our sermon in church yesterday was, "God wins!" Amen!
this season I was blessed to know that no matter what I may be going through God always figures out a way to work things out for me right now im going through not knowing where this money for eviction would be coming from by next tuesday but every scripture I read is assuring me that God got something planned for me
Praying for you Angela! "Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." God has a plan….a perfect plan! He has your best interest at heart and He is in control. Hang on….God can, does, and will do great things for you!
God always, always keeps his promises.
God has a wonderful plan for the world and each of our lives. Because we are sinful, our merciful Lord sent his son Jesus to save us. This season centered on preparing for our savior.
The Advent study shows how God keeps His promises. God shows through the scriptures of the Old Testament the path that would lead to The Messiah, and in Jesus His promise was fulfilled. Now I can read the New Testament with new hope for the second coming of our Lord and Savior. .
.For the Son of Man is going to come in his father's glory with the angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done… Matthew 16:27
Life is a precious gift from The Lord <I had a baby!!!>.
Congratulation Lisa!
The one main thing that continued to stand out to me this advent season was how much God loved the WHOL world that he sent his son. He appeared to the shepherds, the “nobodys”, FIRST! They had the privilege of hearing about our Savior’s birth FIRST and visiting Him FIRST. Jesus came for everyone!
Having been married just over two months ago, my husband & I spent a lot of time this Advent season the Christmas & Advent traditions we’d like to observe in our family – firmly deciding to keep our focus on all of Advent, & not only Christmas Day.
God was with us, is with us, will be with us. Emmanuel!
The advent season built anticipation and excitement deep within me for what God is doing now and what is to come!
Participating in this study kept my focus on the truth of the season. I loved the addition of music as it allowed me time to meditate on how wonderful the plan for our salvation is, each step perfectly planned for our benefit. Couldn't be more thankful.
To look around and feel the presence of God and to know that He is with me always. Praising and thanking Him for sending his Son Jesus Christ for me.❤️No greater love!
To be reminded that our Father is still a God of miracles – right now, though I may not see it, He is working a miracle in my life and the lives of others!
This advent season I have been overwhelmed. God has been good in providing our second child but with that comes exhaustion and an angry first child. Add in all the family funneling in and out of our house, and I feel exhausted in all fronts. It has been great in that it has directed me to pray so much more because God is the only way I'm surviving, but I could really use some refreshment from Him. Not just survival.
Prayed for you Claire. Oh may you have a bit of refreshment, may He lift the feeling being overwhelmed and fill it with joy and stamina for this new precious life, and adjustment for the older sibling.
He came just as he said he would.
King Jesus has come and has begun the process of making everything new. As creation groans in brokenness, He invites us to participate with him in the renewal of His world. I am more excited than ever before for him to come again and redeem all that has been broken for so long. Come Lord Jesus.
Jesus was born so I may live without fear-fear of temptation, fear of death, fear of imperfection, and on and on and on.
The Grace of God in giving us Jesus..
Advent has made me realize how distorted we have made the Christmas season. It's not about us, it's about our Savior, who humbly came, who served, who lived, and died for us – because of His great love.
God with us.
The stories that were covered were some I’ve read multiple times. However, the verses that stood out to out to me this season were Luke 1:39-45. The Bible tells us of God’s power, but for John to leap with joy at the sound of Mary’s voice just took me back. How awesome is our God that unborn children can leap with joy at the presence of the unborn Jesus?!?! You can read verses over and over, and then there comes a time when it just clicks. This is why we have a living Bible. I am so thankful that God has given us this life tool. ♥
This Advent has been about remembering why Jesus came here, and that it all ties together: Adam to Abraham to Joseph to Daniel to Mary to the disciples to the crucifixion to resurrection to His coming again.
Sending Emmanuel was never God’s Plan B; each tiny, seemingly insignificant detail was carefully planned. God promised that Messiah would come, and He did. God is trustworthy, no matter how long we have to wait.
His love for us is so vast that our human minds could never wrap around it.
That Christ would so humble himself to take on human flesh and live among us, even though he is God. I'm struck with awe at his sacrifice for me, to save me, to be an example to me. Wow.
A sweet baby boy was born to be the Savior. Born to bear my sins. Born to pay a debt I owe. God gave His son in my place out of mercy and grace. I deserve neither, yet he gave them to me freely. This year I felt more undeserving than ever. And this advent season made me realize that God knows we are undeserving. He knows we are sinners. He knows we will fail. He sent Jesus for that very reason. Thank you for reminding me of the fact that Christmas comes so that we can celebrate Easter. Jesus came so that we can rise from this earthly death and have eternal life.
Grace and truth, reviewed and reveled. Many feelings but in them all God has rained the blood over me. Thank you Lord for you alone.
God chose a regular girl to do great things .
I am reminded of the amazing love our Savior has for us and the hope that He is coming again, just as the people back then we're hoping for Him the first time.
Waiting is a blessing when He controls what we wait for. Loved this study. Needed it. It changed me.
His light shining in the darkness. Sometimes I'm shocked with how dark and painful our world can be. But He brings hope and light to shine in those dark places. He is near us in the waiting and the unknown. He brings peace into the chaos.
I was feeling lost but the Lord has made straight the crooked path.
During this study I was reminded about purpose and destiny!
This advent plan was so very wonderful because it made me more mindful of God’s grace which I tend to forget about frequently.
That the baby in the manger came to be my Savior still overwhelms me!
This last 30 days God made me realize that he loves me so much and that he cares so much for me.
Sometimes waiting is really, really painful.
The discipline of daily being in the Word…the joy of sharing what God is saying with other women…the amazing truth that Jesus is Emmanuel,God with us…so many ways I've been blessed.
how beautiful, humbling, and redeeming that Christ came in such a scandalous way… and first to the marginalized and forgotten. He sees us and loves us so much!
This advent season has been about thankfulness for all God has done in the past and continues to do in our day to day lives. I am so in awe of how loved we are and how nothing can change that. Our God is an awesome God and what can I offer? What can I bring? I can only guce my heart and offer my life.
This advent season has left me breathless in awe of God’s faithfulness and love for us, and I have come to see and feel His love in new ways!
This advent season for me has been a precious time of dwelling on the overwhelming beauty, never ending love, and undeserving grace and sacrifice of our Savior and King.
My heart increased with excitement to receive baby Jesus as we continued with the advent plan.
This advent season I have been overwhelmed by the love that God has for me, for us, for always.