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Hey everyone, Pastor John Harris here with Day 9 of our Advent journey.
Real quick: Advent is that season where we slow down just enough to remember we’re waiting—waiting to celebrate Jesus’ first coming and getting our hearts ready for His return.
Today we’re parked on one line the angel says to Mary. Luke 1:31, Christian Standard Bible:
“Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.”
That’s it. Simple. Direct. No metaphors, no footnotes.
God puts skin on His promise. A real baby. A real name you can say with your mouth. Jesus—the One who will save His people from their sins.
God doesn’t deal in vague hope. He deals in names, birthdays, and crying in the middle of the night. That’s how solid His word is.
And the same God who gave Mary a person with a name? He’s given you that same Jesus for today. Not just for Christmas morning—for the text you don’t want to answer, the doctor’s appointment, the quiet moment when fear shows up.
Whisper His name in the middle of the ordinary. Jesus. He’s near. He’s real. He’s already here saving you, step by step.
If you’ve missed any of these first nine days, head over to johnmarkharris.net and catch up. They’re short, but they’ll stir your heart.
We’re waiting together—and He’s already with us. See you tomorrow.

Hey everyone! Pastor John Harris here.
Listen to this: Luke 1:30 — “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God.’ ”
Mary is terrified. Totally normal. She just got the wildest news ever. And the angel? He doesn’t start with rules. He doesn’t say, “Figure this out.” He says: “Don’t be afraid. You have found favor with God.”
God’s favor comes first. Before the miracle. Before the baby. Before anything makes sense. That’s huge. God’s favor isn’t something you earn. It’s His gift. And it’s enough. Right now.
Here’s the deal for us today: fear hits. Life shakes us. And we panic. But God’s favor? It’s still true. Stop. Breathe. Believe. Receive it. Let it calm you. Let it push back the fear. Let it remind you—you are not alone. God is for you.
So today, when fear whispers, whisper back: “I have found favor with God.” Let it sink in. Let it give you courage.
And if you want to catch up on any of the Advent devotionals so far, or review them later, go to johnmarkharris.net.
Let’s pray. God, thank You for Your favor. Thank You that it comes first. Calm our fears today. Help us walk in courage. Amen.

Hey everyone, Pastor John Harris here. Thanks for jumping into today’s Advent devotional.

Advent… it’s simple. It’s about waiting. Expecting. Preparing our hearts for the arrival of Jesus. Not just remembering His first coming—*longing* for Him right now.

Today’s verse is Malachi 3:1 Listen to this:

“See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple—the Messenger of the covenant you delight in—see, he is coming,” says the LORD of Armies.

Man… that hits hard.

God says, *“I’m sending someone ahead of Me. I’m clearing the road. I’m coming.”
There’s this *electric* anticipation. God doesn’t just show up randomly—He prepares hearts. He clears space. He shakes people awake.

John the Baptist fulfilled this. But God still does it today.
He prepares you.
He prepares me.
He calls us to get ready for Jesus to move.

So let me ask you… What’s in the way?
What’s blocking worship?
What’s crowding out joy?
What’s stealing your focus?

This week—don’t ignore that question. Advent is not soft or sentimental. It’s disruptive. God is saying, “Make room. Clear the path. I’m coming.”

So today, take a moment. Confess what’s cluttering your heart. Release whatever’s pulling you away. Make space for Jesus. He wants to meet you. He loves you too much to leave you crowded and distracted.

And if you missed any of the earlier devotionals, go to **johnmarkharris.net** to catch up and walk this whole Advent journey with us.

Love you all—let’s prepare the way. Jesus is coming.

Hi everyone, I’m Pastor John Harris.
Thanks for joining me for our Advent devotional today.

Advent is this season where we slow down—just a little—and remember that Jesus came… and Jesus is coming again. We look back with hope, and we look forward with hope.

Today’s verse is from Jer 23:5 “The days are coming—this is the LORD’s declaration—when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; he will reign as king and act wisely and do what is just and right in the land.”

I love this.
God is saying, “I’m not done. I’m stepping in. I’m sending a real King.”
A righteous King.
A wise King.
A just King.
Jeremiah spoke these words when everything around him felt wrong—leaders were corrupt, people were scared, the nation was falling apart. And God says, “Look up. I’m bringing someone better.”

And that Someone… is Jesus.
He’s the King who doesn’t play games.
He doesn’t get bought off.
He doesn’t get confused.
He doesn’t get tired.
He just does what is right. Always.

So when our own culture feels upside-down… when leaders disappoint us… when the world feels unfair… Advent reminds us: we already have a King.
And His kingdom is breaking in.
Right now.
Through you.
Through me.
Through simple obedience.
Simple trust.

So today—pray, “Jesus, help me live like you’re my King. Help me act justly, even when the world doesn’t.”
Let His righteousness shape the way you talk, give, forgive, and react.
Live under His reign—right now.

If you missed any of the previous devotionals in this Advent series, hop over to johnmarkharris.net and catch up.
Love you all. Let’s keep our eyes on the King who was promised… and the King who’s coming soon.

Hey everyone, Pastor John Harris here. Thanks for joining me for another Advent moment.

Advent is simply a time of waiting… expecting… slowing down long enough to remember that Jesus came, and Jesus is coming again. It’s a season to open our eyes and pay attention.

Today’s verse is Isaiah 11:1
“Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.

I love this picture. A stump. Dead. Cut down. Not much hope there. Israel had failed… the royal line of David looked finished. It looked like God’s promises had hit a wall.

But God says, “Watch this.”
Out of the stump… out of what looks ruined… comes Jesus. A tiny shoot. New life. Quiet. Small. But real. And powerful. And He bears fruit—He brings renewal, salvation, and a whole new future for God’s people.
This is who God is. He brings life where we only see loss. He brings a Savior out of a stump.

So let me ask you—where’s the “stump” in your life right now?
Where do you look and think, “That’s done. Nothing good will ever grow there”?
Listen… hope grows in the most unexpected places. God loves to surprise us. He loves to bring new spiritual life from what looks broken, empty, or forgotten.

Maybe it’s a relationship. Maybe it’s your faith. Maybe it’s your joy. Don’t write it off. Bring it to Jesus. Ask Him to grow something new. Ask Him to show you the shoot—the tiny sign of life He’s already bringing up.
Because the promised Ruler… the Son of David… He’s still at work today.

If you missed earlier devotionals, go to johnmarkharris.net and catch up.
Let this whole month build your hope.
See you tomorrow. Keep watching for the shoot.