December 11: Two Advent Readings

The first reading is for family with children.
The second reading is from  Good News of Great Joy at Desiring God


Joseph

http://partofthemain.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/day-11-joseph-the-angel-visits-joseph-jesus-is-emmanuel/

Joseph was planning to marry Mary. Before they were married, Joseph had a visit from an angel in a dream. The angel told him that Mary was going to have a baby that came from the Holy Spirit. The angel said to name the baby Jesus, but Jesus was also called “Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.” Joseph would be with Mary, but he wasn’t really the father of Jesus. Jesus was the Son of God. The Bible tells us that Jesus was with God before the world was created. He was always with God. What makes Christmas so special is that we are remembering when God sent Jesus down to us. Jesus became a human child so that he might be with us.

Dear Jesus, We thank you that, even though you are the Son of God, you came down to be a human like we are in order to save us from our sins. Amen. 

Bible Readings: Joshua 1:1-9; Colossians 1:15-20

Another Advent Reading Plan is Good News of Great Joy 

by John Piper

You can watch an introduction video and/or download the whole book at www.desiringgod.org/books/good-news-of-great-joy

You can also get the daily reading at solidjoys.desiringgod.org/