Are you familiar with the church season of Advent that leads up to Christmas Day? Advent is a season of expectant waiting for the arrival of the Lord. Jesus was born on Christmas Day, and until that moment, the world was waiting for him. During the season of Advent, we count down the days to Jesus’ birth, his arrival here, the moment when history changed. And because Jesus was resurrected from the dead and is alive today in heaven, we also wait expectantly for his return. Will you join us in prayer today?

O Father, what a good plan You had for conquering sin and death! We never expected a tiny baby would bring us salvation. We never expected a virgin to give birth. We never expected an executed man to rise from the dead. You are the God who defies our expectations. Thank you for sending Jesus to rescue us! As we look forward to Christmas Day, we pray for this season of expectant waiting, this season of Advent. Comfort us day by day. Focus our thoughts on your goodness, and the truth of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and return. We struggle to wait well, Lord, and we pray that you will walk with us, strengthen us, and lead us into patience and joy. O God, help us to trust you even when your answers seem to make no sense to us. We pray that this Christmas is a time of joy, peace, and worship. Amen.