Read your Bible during Advent that begins on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

​The theme for these Advent devotions is: 
FOLLOWING JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING
An introduction to the Advent Theme

Jesus, not the church, not a nation, not any individual Christian, Jesus changes everything.  It was Stanley Hauerwas' book, Jesus Changes Everything, that became the inspiration, in part, for these devotions.  The change happens only when we follow him, thus I added the word, following.

Following Jesus means embracing his changes.  And since these are often in conflict with our personal or national desires, it takes guts, especially in this divisive culture with so many divergent views of what it means to follow Jesus.  Sometimes we forget that Jesus changes everything and think it’s up to us.  Thus, we try to make everyone live a life defined by our ideals, moral codes, beliefs, etc.  That’s not our job.  Instead, we must discern Jesus changes that he expects us to live, and that are very different.  His way turned the world upside down, shaking everything to the core.  It still does when we truly live his way of change.
 
These daily Advent meditations are intended to help us discern how Jesus changed and continues to change everything.  They will be on this site daily, through Christmas Day.  Most of the lessons are from Matthew’s Gospel, but I’ve also included lessons from Isaiah and the Epistles, as per the Revised Common Lectionary.  Read with a discerning heart, a courageous mind and a willingness to change to keep living more like Jesus in the world today.

As you read reflect and wonder about Jesus and the changes he has made and about how you can live the new way of Jesus today.

The format for these devotions is based on the ancient discipline of lectio divina.[1]  I use five movements in each devotion:

1. Prepare to listen.  In a brief silence, take time to prepare to hear God speak, using the quoted verse to focus your attention.  If using the Advent wreath, begin with lighting the appropriate candles.
2. Prayerfully read the passage.  Read slowly, with a beginner’s mind and a sense of adventure; know what you see, don’t merely see what you already know; be honest about your reactions, both the good and not so good.
3. Prayerfully wonder and reflect.  Each meditation begins and ends with a question.  Wonder about them if you find them helpful.
4. Prayerfully respond.  Bible reading ends with prayer.  Use the suggested prayer or simply sit still and silent as you let what you read sink in.
5. Live obediently.  Paul wrote, “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified” (Romans 2:13).  Commit to living and changing to be more like Jesus.

[1] If you would like to read more on lectio divina, read my article "Reading the Bible for all You're Worth": https://www.storymakerlife.com/reading-the-bible-for-all-yoursquore-worth.html
Note: I use the New Revised Standard Version throughout.
 
By Jackie L. Smallbones ©2025
Not to be copied without permission from Jackie.