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Thanks for joining me again today on our journey through Advent—these days of anticipation and preparation as we get closer to celebrating the birth of Jesus. Advent simply means “coming” or “arrival,” and it’s a time when we remember not only that Jesus came to us in the past, but that He’s coming again.

Today’s verse, Hebrews 2:14, gives us one of the most powerful reasons why Jesus came: He shared in our flesh and blood so that through His death, He could defeat the one who holds the power of death—the devil.

Jesus didn’t stay distant. He didn’t help us from afar. He stepped right into our human story—flesh and blood, joys and sorrows, laughter and tears. Why? Because to defeat death, He had to face it. To break the chains of fear, He had to feel their weight. He entered our world so He could rescue us from the inside out.

Let that sink in: the eternal Son of God allowed Himself to be fragile, killable—even to die—so that death itself would lose its power over us. The devil’s greatest threat—death—has been disarmed by Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.

So what does that mean for us?
It means we don’t have to live in fear of death, loss, or the unknown. Yes, we still grieve. We hurt. We face moments of anxiety about the future. But because Jesus has defeated the last enemy, we don’t face those fears alone, and they don’t get the final word.

If you’ve lost someone this year… if you’re wrestling with sickness, or just overwhelmed by a world that feels dark and uncertain… hear this: Jesus has already walked through the valley of death, and He came out the other side victorious. And He promises to walk with you, too.

So today’s invitation is simple:
Face your fears—not with denial, but with confidence. Confidence that Christ has conquered death. Confidence that your life is secure in Him. And confidence that the One who came in flesh and blood still holds you in His hands.

As we close, if you’ve missed any of the devotionals leading up to today, or if you want to go back and reflect on earlier days, head over to johnmarkharris.net. All the previous Advent devotionals are posted there for you to revisit or share with someone who needs encouragement.

Thanks for spending these moments with me today. I’m Pastor John Harris—keep your eyes on Jesus, and let His victory over death fill you with hope.

Hi, I’m Pastor John Harris! Today’s Advent focus is preparation. Listen to Isaiah 40:3
“A voice is calling: ‘Prepare in the wilderness the way for the LORD; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.’”
Wow. Did you catch that? Prepare in the wilderness. Not a fancy place, not a perfect place—it’s messy, wild, uncomfortable. That’s where God asks us to make room for Him.
Preparation isn’t just about cleaning up your schedule or your house. It’s about your heart. Is there bitterness? Unforgiveness? Guilt? That’s your desert. That’s your wilderness. God wants us to clear it out, make a straight path for Him.
So today, take a minute. Confess. Forgive. Let go. Smooth the bumps. The Lord is coming. And He wants to enter into a heart ready for Him.
If you’ve missed any of our previous devotionals this month, go to johnmarkharris.net and catch up. There’s a whole Advent journey waiting for you.
Get ready. Prepare your heart. God is on His way.

Hi everyone, Pastor John Harris here. Thanks for jumping in with me again for our daily Advent devotional.
Advent is all about waiting with hope. It’s about slowing down, lifting our eyes, and remembering that Jesus really came… and He’s coming again. Every day this month we’re taking just a moment to let that truth sink in.
Today’s verse is Philippians 2:7
“He emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
Let that hit you for a second.
Jesus… emptied Himself.
The Son of God didn’t show up with fireworks. He didn’t flex His power. He didn’t demand anything. He lowered Himself. He stepped into our world—our mess—on purpose. Why? To serve. To save.
This is the center of Advent.
God comes close… but He comes low.
He becomes like us so He can lift us.
And if that’s our King… then that’s our path too.
So here’s the challenge today: serve someone in a small, simple way.
Hold the door. Write the note. Make the call. Take the last place instead of the first. No spotlight. No applause. Just humility. Just love. Just Jesus.
That’s how we shine His light.
If you missed any of the earlier devotionals, you can catch them all at johnmarkharris.net—they’re posted there every day.
Let’s walk into Christmas with hearts like Jesus—humble, ready, and open.
See you tomorrow.

Hey everyone, Pastor John Harris here. Thanks for jumping in for today’s Advent devotional.
Advent is this short season where we slow down… and we remember our need. Our need for God to break in. Our need for hope. Our need for light. And today’s verse hits that straight on.
John 1:9 says, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”
-> The true light.
Not fake. Not dim. Not limited.
Jesus brings a light that reaches everyone… even the places we try to hide.
And that’s good news. Because darkness lies. Darkness traps. But light—His light—exposes what’s hurting us… and then heals it.
So let me ask you, just honestly:
Where do you need His light?
What corner of your heart feels heavy?
What struggle have you kept quiet for too long?
Advent isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about opening the door and saying, “Jesus, shine here. Right here. In this mess.”
And He will.
He’s gentle, but He’s bold.
He won’t shame you—He’ll free you.
So today, confess what’s been hidden. Tell someone you trust. Pray for help. Let the “true light” break in. Healing starts when the light gets in.
If you missed earlier devotionals, they’re all waiting for you at johnmarkharris.net. Keep walking with us—one day at a time—toward the light of Christ.
See you tomorrow.

Hello, I’m Pastor John Harris. Thanks for joining me for today’s Advent devotional.
Advent reminds us why we wait. We remember that Jesus came… and we set our hearts on the fact that He’s coming again. Hope with direction. Expectation with purpose.
Today’s verse is John 1:14:
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
This is the miracle at the center of everything. God didn’t stay distant. He stepped into our world. He took on flesh. He walked with us. He showed us exactly who the Father is—grace and truth, side by side, perfectly held together in one Person.
And if Jesus carries both grace and truth, we should too.
So here’s the challenge for this week:
Let grace and truth shape your words. Be honest, but gentle. Be clear, but kind. Let the way you speak reflect the One who spoke life into the world by becoming one of us.
If you’ve missed earlier devotionals, you can watch all the previous entries at johnmarkharris.net.
I’m grateful you’re here, and I’m looking forward to the next one with you. See you tomorrow.