December 9: Two Advent Readings

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


The Angel

http://partofthemain.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/day-9-the-angel-his-name-shall-be-jesus/

Do you know about the angels? The angels serve God. We learn from the Bible that God often sends angels to be his heralds, or messengers. Before his son was born on earth, God sent one of his angels to Mary. Do you remember what the angel told her? She would be the mother of a special baby. The angel said to name the baby Jesus. The name Jesus means, “The Lord saves.” Jesus is a form of the name Joshua. In the Old Testament we read how God used a man named Joshua to lead his people into the Promised Land. Jesus would be a leader of God’s people, too. He would lead them home to God.

 God, we praise you because you are the God who saves. You planned to save all of us through Jesus, whom the angel spoke about so long ago. We pray now in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible Readings: Acts 4:5-12; Hebrews 4:3-10

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/