Receive the Gift of Advent Every Moment of Your Life

Receive the Gift of Advent Every Moment of Your Life

Posted on by Michele Morin

Decision-making is hard, and it’s a process I never enjoy. Now, we’ve reached the stage in life when we’re bearing witness to the decisions of our sons and their families, which is really a spectator sport—unless we get invited onto the field to share an opinion. Buying a house or a car, changing jobs, or saying yes or no to ministry opportunities: these are all occasions that require more light and wisdom than I feel capable of producing on my own.

That’s why I need Advent!

As I read the stories of those who faithfully waited for God’s promised Deliverer, and as I pay attention to the way Jesus showed up in the world, I see that wherever he went, Light followed him. His friend John didn’t have much to say about the Christmas story as we know it with shepherds and angels and cattle, but he dipped his pen into the image of light:

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)

While it is absolutely true that Jesus arrived in a body at a particular time in history and a specific geographical location, it is also true that he arrives every single moment in the life of the believer. We get to rejoice in three actual arrivals of Jesus:

  1. His first Advent in Bethlehem happened two thousand years ago.
  2. His second Advent has been promised, but only the Father knows when he will come.
  3. His faithful presence is the gift we receive moment by moment.

He comes to us, and inherent in the gift of himself is the gift of Light. His knowledge of me and his presence with me bring understanding and freedom. As the psalmist said, “In his light we see light.” (Psalm 36:9)

I am full of shadows, but he is the Light of the World.
I see through a glass, darkly, but he has the full view.

Advent tutors me in the understanding that I need not fear the unknown, the decision-making process, or my own blind spots and shortcomings. By his Spirit, Jesus will come into my cloud of unknowing—not with pat answers or the easy fix I might wish for, but with reassurance that he is there and that wisdom is available as I follow the Light of his Word.

“Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.”1

Jesus comes to us, and inherent in the gift of himself is the gift of Light. His knowledge of me and his presence with me bring understanding and freedom.

Holding You in the Light,

  1. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” ↩︎

Advent Series 2025

Now, We Are the Waiting Ones

Everyone whose life was touched by the True Light had a different experience. And everyone was changed by it in some way. Over the next few weeks leading up to Christmas, I’ll be thinking and writing about some of those people and how the arrival of the True Light makes a difference for us in 2025. HERE’S THE LINK to the introductory post in case you missed it. Then we considered how the light arrived in Mary’s life, the shepherds‘, Simeon’s, and Anna‘s. Today, we affirmed that he wants to show up with Light in your world, too.

Looking for a Devotional Plan for Your Advent Season?

This four-part series for Advent features Isaiah’s prophecy of a coming Messiah. Together, we remember that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor with Supernatural Wisdom. He is our Mighty God, unlimited in His Ability to do what He wills. He is the compassionate Everlasting Father, the Giver of good gifts, and Jesus is the Fountain of deep well-being, our Prince of Peace. CLICK HERE to begin reading.

Look at All Your Blessings Through Eyes of Wonder

Have You Read the Latest Newsletter?

On the third Thursday of every month, I send a newsletter with biblical encouragement straight to my subscribers’ email inboxes. Frequently, I share free resources, and the newsletter is where all the news lands first.

CLICK HERE to find me on Substack, where my goal is to help you on the path of becoming a confident follower of God and a student of His Word.

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate, which means that whenever you purchase a book I’ve shared here through the link I provide, I’ll receive a very small commission. It doesn’t cost you more, and I only share books here that I can wholeheartedly recommend.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four married sons and a growing fleet of adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

12 thoughts on “Receive the Gift of Advent Every Moment of Your Life”

  3. Good post! “these are all occasions that require more light and wisdom than I feel capable of producing on my own”. Yes, hard to sit back and watch, and equally as hard knowing the right decisions ~ Rosie

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  4. Praise God our Emmanuel is always with us–not just as a spectator but as a participant–guiding, upholding, helping, and more! I am SO thankful for his constant presence. / Merry Christmas, Michele, to you and your precious family!

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  5. Light illuminates; and sometimes when in a tough situation, I just can’t see which way to turn. He is a light unto my path. So thankful for His word and His presence that will guide me through the dark times.

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