"The Promise" — Part One of an Advent Devotional

This devotional reflects act one of three from our Christmas at The Porch programming.

We live in a world where so many promises have been made haphazardly and broken without a second thought. While pinkies have been hooked and dotted lines have been signed, these gestures meant to inspire confidence often fall short, despite the best intentions.

But when we broke our word in the garden (Genesis 3), God saw fit to give us His, and His Word always stands firm. He saw us, clamoring for control and blind to our sin, and offered a way for us to live in union with Him once again.

Over 300 times in the Old Testament, we were told of a Savior (Isaiah 53), a Serpent Crusher (Genesis 3:15), a Son (Isaiah 9:6-7) who would save us from ourselves and welcome us into something greater.

From the darkest moments when David cried out,

“How long, O Lord?

Will You forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1)

God had a plan to give the world the ultimate Light Bringer, in whom no darkness is truly dark. While establishing covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David, our Heavenly Father was really promising a better Abraham, a better Moses, and a better David.

Through the prophets, hope took root again:“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from His roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him” (Isaiah 11:1–2)

And the promise of salvation echoed through the shadows: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

What would your life look like if you started believing that God’s promises are as true today as they were thousands of years ago?

Join us for Christmas at The Porch, a concert experience on December 2, 2025 featuring Shane & Shane, Keila and Lemuel Marin, Watermark Music, and The Dallas String Quartet. Get your tickets today and join us this Tuesday at 7:30 PM.