Advent at the Table: A Devotional for the First Sunday in Advent

Village pastors Revs. Rodger Nishioka, Maggie Johnson Phillips, Zach Walker, and Anna Owens have written a devotional for each Sunday in Advent. Each devotional is meant to be read as you light the Advent candle on your wreath at home each week. We will publish each week’s devotional here, but you may also stop by the church and pick up a printed devotional booklet to take home with you. These can be used from year to year; start a new holiday tradition with your family!

If you prefer, you may download the PDF file here with all five weeks of devotionals.

Read

Psalm 130

“I cry out to you from the depths, Lord—my Lord, listen to my voice!
Let your ears pay close attention to my request for mercy!
If you kept track of sins, Lord—my Lord, who would stand a chance?
But forgiveness is with you—that’s why you are honored.

I hope, Lord.
My whole being hopes, and I wait for God’s promise.
My whole being waits for my Lord—
more than the night watch waits for the morning;
yes, more than the night watch waits for morning!

Israel, wait for the Lord!
Because faithful love is with the Lord;
because great redemption is with our God!
God is the one who will redeem Israel from all its sin.”

Reflect

This psalm is one of 15 psalms of ascent. These are the songs that pilgrims would sing as they made their way to Jerusalem to worship at the temple. Imagine groups of faithful families singing these words together as they walked up the mountain.

Each of these songs sings of God’s love and forgiveness. This song sings of our hope in God. As we begin this Advent season, remember that advent is a word that means “coming” or “arrival.” We are waiting for the coming, the arrival, the birth of Jesus because Jesus is our hope.

Take a moment and reflect on the question: What are you hoping for as we wait for Jesus’ birth? If you are with your family, share your answers with one another.

Close with Prayer

Gracious God, we give thanks that you listen to us when we pray to you. We give thanks that you forgive and love us always. We give thanks that you give us hope. Help us to trust in your redeeming love. Help us to love you and love others and all of creation. Be with us as we wait for the birth of your son, our Lord, Jesus, on Christmas. We pray in his name, Amen.

Want more devotionals?

Subscribe to Advent daily video devotionals from our pastors, published each day during Advent. You can get them directly in your email inbox, or view them on our YouTube channel.

See all that’s happening at Village this Christmas at villagepres.org/christmas.