Remember to anticipate
Advent is a special celebration and contemplation of the coming of Jesus Christ that Christians participate in during the Christmas season. Advent literally means “arrival” or “coming.” During Advent season God’s people remember and rejoice in Jesus’ first coming to save His people from their sins, while at the same time long with anticipation and expectation for His return.
advent resources
Be People of the Word: Advent Reading & Meditation Plan
Advent Message Series
December 3 – Jesus Followers Wait With Anticipation
December 10 – Jesus Followers Wait With Hope
December 17 – Jesus Followers Wait With Purpose
December 24 – Jesus Followers Wait With Joy
December 31 – Jesus Followers Wait With Prayers
other resources
- Meditate: Come Let Us Adore Him | Devotional by Paul David Tripp
- Read: The Habit of Waiting for Christmas | Desiring God article
- Read: 10 Questions to Ask at Your Christmas Gathering | Crossway article
- Sing: Songs for Advent | Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Music
- Family Advent Kits: Nextgen families, be sure to pick up your kit from the kids halls or the Outpost to resource your family to celebrate Advent together!
Family Discipleship
Lead your family in Gospel truths this Christmas!
Family Discipleship Plan
Christmas
Give
Make your Gift A Kingdom Gift!
Each December, TCBC participates in a special seasonal offering we call Christmas GIVE. Every dollar given as a part of this special offering goes toward Give2Go which is our way as a church to: Send Disciples, Serve The Vulnerable, Train Leaders, Reach The Unreached, and Plant Churches. This Christmas, let’s pray fervently and give generously trusting the words of Jesus, “it is better to give than to receive.”
Reading and meditation Plan
The Old Testament prophecies point to a coming Messiah. This week, read prophecies both made about and fulfilled by Christ our King, and remember that He has come.
11/26: Isaiah 9:1-7
Ponder: Why is it good news for us that Jesus is the promised Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace?
11/27: Isaiah 7:10-17 / Matthew 1:18-23
Pray: Jesus is Immanuel. Thank God that He has come to be with us; He is not distant.
11/28: Hosea 11:1 / Matthew 2:13-15
Practice: Talk with others about what biblical prophecy is. Why did God give Old Testament prophets to foreshadow the coming of Jesus?
11/29: Micah 5:2 / Matthew 2:4-6
Ponder: Consider Jesus, who is our peace. What does it mean to find peace in Christ?
11/30: Isaiah 40:3-5 / John 1:19-30
Practice: Talk about John the Baptist, who pointed to the coming of the Lord. How can we be a people who point to the coming of the Lord?
12/1: Isaiah 42:1-9 / Matthew 12:15-21
Pray: Thank God for the hope that we have in the name of Jesus.
12/2: Genesis 3:8-15 / 1 John 3:4-8
Ponder: Why does it bring us hope that in the beginning, God promised One who would destroy the works of the devil?
Practice: Purpose to gather with your church family tomorrow.
12/3: 2 Timothy 4:1-8- Big Truth: Jesus Followers Wait With Anticipation
Pray: Ask the Lord to help you and your church family to love Christ’s appearing.
This week, read the gospel of Luke’s narrative to meditate on and remember the first coming of Christ.
12/4: Luke 1:1-25
Ponder: Where in your life do you struggle to trust the words of the Lord?
12/5: Luke 1:26-38
Ponder: What is the significance of the Lord being with His people?
12/6: Luke 1:39-45
Pray: Ask God to give you an excited anticipation for the coming of the Lord.
12/7: Luke 1:46-56
Practice: Make a list of things that you can magnify the Lord for, the great things that the mighty One has done in your life.
12/8: Luke 1:57-80
Ponder: Where in your life do you currently need to be obedient to the words of the Lord?
12/9: Luke 2:1-21
Pray: “Glory to God in the highest!”
Practice: Purpose to gather with your church family tomorrow.
12/10: Philippians 3:12-4:1 / 1 Peter 1:3-9- Big Truth: Jesus Followers Wait With Hope
Ponder: What are you hoping in?
We see God’s faithfulness in His work in the generations that led to the birth of Jesus. This week, remember Christ as you read prophecies made and fulfilled of His genealogy.
12/11: Genesis 12:1-3; 17:1-8 / Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:13-18
Pray: Ask God to give you faith to trust that His plans are always greater than ours.
12/12: Genesis 17:15-21; 21:1-5 / Matthew 1:1-2
Ponder: When was the last time you made a promise that you didn’t keep? Consider God who always keeps His word.
12/13: Genesis 49:8-10 / Matthew 1:1-3; Revelation 5:1-10
Pray: Praise Jesus that He is the Lion of Judah and the Lamb who was slain.
12/14: Ruth 4:14-22 / Matthew 1:1-5
Practice: Share with someone about what it means that we have a redeemer. Worship the God who redeems His people!
12/15: Isaiah 11:1-10 / Matthew 1:5-6; Romans 15:8-13
Ponder: Meditate on the reality that Jesus brings hope to all nations.
12/16: 2 Samuel 7:8-16 / Matthew 1:1; Luke 11:1-10
Pray: Thank the Lord that He disciplines us in our sin, yet His steadfast love endures forever.
Practice: Purpose to gather with your church family tomorrow.
12/17: Hebrews 9:24-28; 2 Peter 3:8-18- Big Truth: Jesus Followers Wait With Purpose
Ponder: Are you purposeful as you wait for Christ’s return?
At Advent, we remember Christ’s first coming to anticipate His second coming. This week, read the gospel of Matthew’s narrative of Christ’s first coming.
12/18: Matthew 1:1-17
Practice: Choose one or two people from Christ’s genealogy and read their story from the Old Testament. Praise God who orchestrates entire generations for the coming of His Son.
12/19: Matthew 1:18-25
Pray: Thank God for Jesus who saves His people from their sins.
12/20: Matthew 2:1-12
Ponder: What does it look like for you to “rejoice exceedingly with great joy” over your Savior?
12/21: Matthew 2:13-18
Ponder: Why did Herod want to destroy Jesus? How do we see our own pride keep us from submission to our Savior?
12/22: Matthew 2:19-23
Pray: Ask God to help you marvel at Christ alone this Advent season.
12/23: Matthew 3:1-12
Practice: Discuss how you can share with others about the Mighty God.
Practice: Purpose to gather with your church family tomorrow.
12/24: Luke 2:1-14; John 16:22; Revelation 19:6-9
Big Truth: Jesus Followers Wait With Joy
Ponder: What do you find joy in?
At Advent, we remember to anticipate. Read and meditate on Scripture that reminds us that our King is coming soon!
12/25: Hebrews 9:24-28
Pray: Praise God that Jesus has come and that He is coming again!
12/26: Acts 1:1-11
Ponder: What will it be like when Jesus comes again?
12/27: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:6
Practice: Share with someone who does not know Jesus about the hope that trusting in His return brings you.
12/28: 2 Peter 3:1-14
Practice: As we wait for Jesus’ return, we should be diligent to be found holy and at peace. What do you need to repent of? What do you need to pursue?
12/29: Revelation 21:1-6
Pray: Thank God for the promise of new creation.
12/30: Revelation 22:1-21
Pray: Pray, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Practice: Purpose to gather with your church family tomorrow.
12/31: Revelation 22:10-20; 1 Peter 4:7; Luke 21:34-36- Big Truth: Jesus Followers Wait With Prayers
Ponder: What are you praying for as you begin a new year?