Abide in Jesus - 4-Day Advent DevotionalSýnishorn

Christmas is upon us! While it is a joyous time where Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, the season can be overshadowed with stress, anxiety, and a busy schedule that leaves our spiritual tank empty. How can we awaken our souls and be spiritually awake during Advent? 

One way we can "stay alert," as Jesus says in His parable in Mark 13, is the spiritual practice of journaling. 

Journaling helps us reflect on what we're reading - not simply to understand what we've read but to engage with the text. Biblical journaling is basically an open, honest conversation with God. We can wrestle with our doubts and fears, seek God's counsel, and uncover attitudes and action that need to change. There's no right or wrong way to journal as it's personal to you. 

Try this: open your Bible to Mark 13:32-37, but don’t start reading. First, open with a prayer, asking God to speak to you and to reveal Himself through the Word. Pray for an open heart and an alertness to what He may be telling you. Now read the passage from Mark. Finally, with a journal near you, reflect and write on the following questions related to the text:

• Why did Jesus command His disciples to "Watch out! Stay alert!" (v. 33)? How are you following this command?
• How eagerly are you awaiting Jesus' Advent? How often do you purposefully think about it during this busy time? What can you do to watch more carefully this Christmas?