Advent liturgically starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and concludes at sunset, or Vespers on Christmas Eve. 

Advent is a time of waiting.  We wait in line (or online).  We wait for the Holidays.  We wait at airports and/or in traffic.  We wait for those who will celebrate with us.     

The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word “advenire” meaning “to come” and its derivative “adventus” meaning “arrival.”  The real focus of this season is our collective “expectant waiting” and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus; Christ coming to earth as fully God and fully human.  The birth of the Christ Child changed the world forever – and He has the power to change each one of us today.

Christmastide starts at sunset, or Vespers, on Christmas Eve and continues through to Twelfth Night on January 5, followed by Epiphany on January 6, when, by tradition, the Magi visited the Christ Child.  

During these seasons of Advent & Christmastide, may these devotionals help move your heart toward the Christ Child as you expectantly wait for the coming and the celebration of His birth.

We encourage you to use the devotionals to help the children in your life engage with and understand the true meaning of Advent, Christmastide & Epiphany.  Instructions for making a Christingle on the Saturday before Christmas are included on Page 53. 

This year, we will continue using the Advent Sunday Devotionals and the Christmas Day Devotional during the Lighting of the Candle with the devotional being read by members of Asbury.

In this twelfth year of Asbury’s devotionals, please join me in a prayer of gratitude for those who paved the way, Jeanne Farmer and Marti Pieper.  It is an honor to follow in their footsteps. 

More than 80% of Asbury’s devotional booklets reach beyond members and former members of Asbury and touch and bless many through our growing outreach ministries. 

A heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to and/or supported the development and production of this Advent & Christmastide Devotionals Booklet, through prayer, writing, editing and in the publication and distribution.

This year we celebrate the first Devotional from a Centenarian, Charlie Row, who has been a faithful contributor since the ministry started in Lent 2014. 

David Vatcher, Editor