Advent comes from the Latin adventus and means “coming.” The main event is the coming, or birth, of Jesus our Savior. As the saints of old anticipated the coming of Christ with great expectation, we, too, eagerly await His return. This Christian tradition is observed around the world and this year, our Metro Family can participate in Advent each week at church and each day in your home.

Beginning Sunday, December 1, we will light the first candle of Advent, the candle of Hope. This helps us remember the hope Jesus brings. I want to encourage you to remember the hope of Jesus every day in your home. To help you do that, we have organized a series of daily Advent devotions through e-book format and a series of Advent videos from our friends at Right Now Media. View the sections below  for each week,  and you can participate in fun activities, faith enriching devotions, fun advent facts and most importantly- Advent themed scriptures and prayers.

Each Sunday begins a new Advent theme where we will light the candles to remember what this season is all about. Then, on our special Christmas Eve Sunday Service, we'll light the last candle, the Christ candle as we rejoice together and thank God for the greatest gift of all, Jesus.

This eBook provides you with daily resources for you and your family to follow along during the Advent season. Click one of the links below to download to your favorite device. 

Join J.D. Greear in this four-session series as he takes a deeper look at Jesus as Emmanuel, our Wonderful Counselor, the Everlasting Father, and the great I Am. If you don't have access to Right Now Media, click the sign up link below. 

As christians we have a great reason to hope! John 1:1 proclaims that, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:14 goes on to say, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The Word is Jesus, the living God! We know that everything Scripture tells us is true because it is not only from God, it is God, the Word.
When the prophet Isaiah foretold the birth of Christ, a new hope was born into the world; a hope that lives in us today. And after Jesus came in the flesh, He promised to return and take us to be with Him, giving us eternal hope that surpasses the condition of our life on earth.
Take a moment and talk about the things you want and the things for which you hope—as individuals and as a family.

Peace is one of the greatest gifts the Lord has brought to us. In the verse above, the prophet Isaiah helps us to recognize the peace we will have upon Christ’s arrival, and goes on to proclaim the glory and majesty of who He is and His purpose for coming.
Wonderful Counselor points to the Messiah as King—a king who will direct and guide, and carry out a plan of action—but also One the world will know as loving and compassionate; One who cares about each and every one of us and the smallest details of our lives. Mighty God refers to His divine power. Everlasting Father indicates that His grace and mercy are never ending, and that He will never leave us or forsake us. Prince of Peace reminds us that only through Jesus Christ we will have true peace of mind and soul.
Take a moment now to discuss and think about these elements of God’s nature, and why we have peace in His completeness.

“God's wonderful plan of salvation was motivated by His great love for us. He desires to have an intimate relationship with us now, and for us to be with Him for all eternity. That’s why Jesus was born in a manger and died on the cross: to provide a way for us to reach the Father.
To receive this gift of salvation, all we have to do is believe and receive. Now, believing is not based on how we feel. Believing is a response to God’s truth. And we act out our belief by making the decision to turn from our sins and receive God’s forgiveness.
Believing in Jesus as God’s Son, in His sacrificial death on the cross, and in His resurrection promises us something amazing: salvation and eternal life. God’s infinite love for us has provided a way for us to be with Him forever. And that’s definitely something to celebrate!”

During the past weeks of Advent, we have read from the Bible and spent time talking with the Lord through prayer. His Word has taught us that He has sent His light and truth into the world to save us from our sins, and that He is faithful to care for His people. What a great God! So come, let us adore Him. Let’s praise and worship Him and find great joy in His presence.
Take time each day this week to make a joyful noise! Praise and worship God through the singing of Christmas carols. Let each member of your family pick a favorite carol and sing together to Jesus, our Savior and King.

“We've journeyed through Scripture  this Advent season, learning about God’s wonderful gifts to us at Christmas. Remember each Sunday of Advent represents the four comings of Christ. The first Sunday is His coming in the flesh, His birth, which you will celebrate tomorrow. The Second is His coming into the hearts of all who believe in Him. The third is His coming at the hour of death to all who know Him as Lord and Savior, and the fourth is His coming at the Final Judgment.
As you sit together in front of your Advent wreath with all of the lit candles, say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the gift of His Son. Thank Him for sending Jesus to save the world from our sins. Thank Jesus for knowing us and carrying all of our burdens. And as you prepare to start a new year, choose to celebrate this great gift of Jesus each day, relying on Him to light your way out into the world as you share His love with others.”