2023 Daily Advent Devotionals
As we prepare our hearts for the 2023 Advent season, we are drawn to Jesus, who is our Everlasting Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each Advent devotional is written by a DBU faculty member or a staff member. During this Advent season, we hope your affection for Jesus is stirred towards Him. Regardless of how you are entering this Advent season, know that you are not alone. You are seen. You are loved.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" - Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Join the DBU Family as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Week 1: Hope
December 3, 2023 - December 9, 2023
The first week of the Advent calendar starts four Sundays before Christmas. The first week of Advent begins on December 3, focusing on the hope we have in Christ. We look to Him for eternal hope. Let's celebrate both the fulfillment of the prophecy of His first arrival and the fulfillment of the hope that He will one day return as the kingdoms of the world will bow at His feet.
- Day 1: Week One: Hope
- Day 2: Hope: Life in E Minor and His Promise that Gives Us Strength to Soar
- Day 3: Hope: The ‘Son of Man’ and His Everlasting Throne
- Day 4: Hope: God is Coming (But in an Unexpected Way)
- Day 5: Hope: The New Awakening of An Old Hope
- Day 6: Hope: The Son of Mary Will Be Named Jesus (Yahweh Saves)
- Day 7: Hope: Magnifying All That God Has Done and Will Do
Week 2: Peace
December 10, 2023 - December 16, 2023
The second week of Advent starts on December 10, focusing on Peace. In the Old Testament, God reveals His character as "The Lord is Peace" and the promise of a child and a king that would bring the people peace from above. In the New Testament, an angel announces the birth of Jesus to the shepherds and foretells about peace that surpasses all understanding.
- Day 8: Week Two: Peace
- Day 9: Peace: A Perfect Priest and the King of Peace
- Day 10: Peace: A Shalom as Everlasting as the Lord
- Day 11: Peace: The Promise of An Extraordinary Child and King
- Day 12: Peace: Remembering the Cross at Christmas
- Day 13: Peace: Good News for the Afflicted
- Day 14: Peace: Peace is in the Presence and Promise of Jesus
Week 3: Joy
December 17, 2023 - December 23, 2023
The third week of Advent starts on December 17, where we focus on Joy. When the Magi from the East, the Samaritan woman, the prodigal son, and Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, we are reminded of how our encounter with Jesus brings joy and hope of something eternal: everlasting life with Christ if we put our hope and trust in Him. May we know what it means to abide in Christ fully.
- Day 15: Week 3: Joy
- Day 16: Joy: A Gospel for All the Nations
- Day 17: Joy: He Knows and Loves the Broken
- Day 18: Joy: The Joy of the Father in Restoring the Lost
- Day 19: Joy: The Joy of Healing (and His Presence in Our Waiting)
- Day 20: Joy: Resurrection Joy Here and Now
- Day 21: Joy: Life with Him is the Joy of All Joys
Week 4: Love
December 24, 2023
The final Sunday of Advent wraps up on December 24, focusing on Love. We are reminded of what true love means. We have a Savior who loves us so much that He sent His one and only son to the earth to die on the cross for our sins. He loves every aspect of us: our past, our present, and our future selves. Nothing surprises Him. He knew what he bought, and yet, He still loves us unconditionally. John 1:5 (ESV) reads, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." May you know how much our Heavenly Father loves each of us.