Advent in the Sun: Making Our Home in Jesus

Devotional week 51

“Remain in Me, and I in you.” — John 15:4

I love this time of year! In South Africa, December arrives with sunshine and long summer days. Many of us slow down for the holidays, spending lazy afternoons swimming, enjoying braais, relaxing with friends and family, and watching beautiful sunsets. Our Christmas meals are often light and colourful—full of fruit, salads, and fresh flavours.

Because this is the Christmas I have always known, it sometimes feels strange to see the snowy scenes that fill our shops. I have only experienced snow for a few hours in my life, so the traditional “winter Christmas” images can feel far from my own reality. And yet, this contrast reminds me of something important: people around the world celebrate Christmas in ways shaped by their culture, climate, and memories, and each expression carries its own beauty.

But regardless of what surrounds us, warm or cold, quiet or busy, Advent invites us into the same deeper truth. It calls us to pause and prepare our hearts, remembering why Jesus came. Advent has two layers of meaning: 

Looking back and celebrating the first coming of Jesus in His birth at Bethlehem.

Looking forward and anticipating His promised second coming as King.

As a child, I created an Advent calendar at school and only understood it as a countdown to Christmas. The only thing on my mind was presents with little thought of Jesus. Looking back, I wonder how much of that affected my view of God. Something far away and foreign. I am grateful that, over time, God changed my life and perspective, teaching me to see Advent differently.

Looking back at the years gone by, I adapted my view of work and rest. My devotion to God brought balance in my life. Building on this, I have come to see that rest is more than stepping away from activity or finding a quiet moment in a busy day. True rest begins with connecting with God in a way that reaches deeper than circumstances, schedules, or emotions. Jesus invites us into this kind of rest when He says, “Remain in Me.”

To remain means to dwell and make your home in Him. It describes a relationship, not performance. Rest comes when we stop striving to control life and instead learn to abide.

Prayer

Father, draw my heart into deeper communion with You. Teach me to remain in Your love, to listen for Your voice, and to trust You with every part of my day. As I walk through this Advent season, help me discover rest not just in quiet moments, but in Your continual presence. Amen.