Dear Sister,
Almost every December, my unrealistic hopes and dreams fall apart at some point. My family gets hit by the flu, ravaged by a stomach bug, or plagued by lingering head colds. My joy falters when a holiday tradition doesn’t go as I planned. My self-confidence cracks when I discover an email buried in my inbox about buying a special gift for that night’s Christmas party. My face falls in shame when I realize I forgot a gift for my child’s beloved teacher. When my Christmas expectations run up against the reality of life in a fallen world, my heart is quick to covet the picture-perfect Christmas images plastered all over social media. When I set my hope in my ability to create the perfect Christmas, the Advent season turns from wonderful to stressful faster than a batch of freshly baked Christmas cookies turns to leftover crumbs on the plate.
One year, exhausted by this annual pattern, I decided to put a note to myself in one of my Christmas storage bins as I was packing up decor to hopefully break the cycle the next year. Through tear-filled eyes and with a weary and worn-out heart, I scratched reminders to my soul that Jesus came to pay the price for my sins—including my bad attitude and my sinful self-confidence that rages against resting in Christ and surrendering my plans to him. Thankfully, God doesn’t keep a legal pad of my sin and insufficiencies. When God looks at me, he sees the righteousness of his Son covering me. While every moment in the season of Advent won’t feel wonderful, magical, or meaningful, Advent can be a season of worship as we focus our hearts and minds on Christ, the Lamb of God, whose shed blood covers our shortcomings, short-sightedness, and short tempers.
Over two thousand years ago, upon seeing Jesus Christ, John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). For thousands of years, Israelite priests had offered daily animal sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people, according to the law God had given them. So embers from lambs’ flesh were still burning in the temple when John spoke these prophetic words that burned to a crisp the people’s expectations of the Messiah. Jesus wasn’t a warrior king coming to wield his sword against the people’s political enemies. He was the Lamb of God who would willingly lay down his life on the cross like the animals that were sacrificed in the temple day after day—his innocent blood spilled as the perfect sacrifice to cover our sins and cleanse us. John’s voice still echoes in the wilderness, calling us to walk the straight paths of the Lord with our eyes fixed on Jesus, abandoning our pride, our vain attempts to earn God’s love, and our past sins and failures.
This is the good news we celebrate and soak our souls in during Advent. When we behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the fire of his Word burns away our unrealistic expectations, settles our debts, restores our joy, and unchains us from the insurmountable burden of sin. So we worship the Lamb like the angels do in Revelation 5:12, declaring, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” This Advent season, let us worship the worthy Lamb of God!
Beholding the Lamb,
Gretchen
Founder of Well-Watered Women
P.S. Worthy is the Lamb is available in the Well-Watered Co. TODAY, and you can save 10% on the study when you bundle the study with our corresponding Advent card set or kids card set! Find answers to all questions about this year’s Advent Collection below!
What is Worthy is the Lamb about?
During the season of Advent, we anticipate the joy of Jesus’ first coming and wait in expectation for the day he will come again. This year, we invite you to study and meditate on Jesus as the Lamb of God throughout December, beholding his sacrifice so you might worship him.
Because Jesus is the Lamb of God, we are no longer defined by all our failings and shortcomings; we are made new through his life, death, and resurrection.
Because Jesus is the Lamb of God, we forsake our striving for perfection and live in light of his grace, freeing us from unrealistic expectations to live obediently and abundantly through him.
Because Jesus is the Lamb of God, we surrender our plans and look to him as he shepherds us, even when we don’t understand his ways.
Because Jesus is the Lamb of God, we don’t have to host perfect Christmas parties, keep up with every family tradition, or go into debt buying presents. The insurmountable pressure to measure up has been lifted, and we can enjoy this Advent season with our eyes on Christ.
Christ came as the Lamb of God, and because of his sacrifice, he is worthy to receive all praise, honor, and glory. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away your sin and experience the freedom of his gentle embrace.
How long is Worthy is the Lamb and how is it formatted?
Worthy is the Lamb is a four-week Advent Bible study. It includes:
- Four weeks of in-depth Bible study tracing the theme of the Lamb of God from Genesis to Revelation
- Five days of Bible study per week from December 1–December 30
- Each day takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete
- Bible-centered study to discover the meaning of the text before making application to your current circumstances
- Daily practice applying God’s Word to your life
- Daily Bible study questions that will be clearest using the English Standard Version (ESV) translation of the Bible
- Weekend reflections to help you meditate on what you’re learning this Advent season
- Gospel-rich content to draw your soul into the presence of God
- This study can be done individually or with a group
Can I do the study with a group?
Yes! We love when women walk through our Bible studies together within their local context. Gather a group of friends to study Worthy is the Lamb together and meet weekly to discuss what you’re learning. Or even study with long-distance friends by committing to check in a few times throughout the season to share what stood out to you and how you see God working in your story today.
What other resources are in the Advent Collection?
In addition to Worthy is the Lamb, the collection includes Worthy is the Lamb Advent Cards, and Well-Watered Kids Worthy is the Lamb Advent Cards. The cards are available exclusively in the bundles. Save 10% when you bundle!
What’s in the Advent Bundle and Advent Family Bundle?
The Advent Bundle includes Worthy is the Lamb and Worthy is the Lamb Advent Cards. The Advent Family Bundle includes these items plus the Well-Watered Kids Worthy is the Lamb Advent Cards. There is a limited amount of bundles available and they will sell out, so order yours today!
What are Worthy is the Lamb Advent Cards?
There are 27 calendar cards in this set—one for each day of study in Worthy is the Lamb. The front of each card beautifully displays a truth statement about the Lamb of God and content on the back that offers key reminders about what you're learning from Worthy Is the Lamb Advent Bible study. The weekend cards feature meditation prompts to consider what you’ve learned that week more deeply.
How do I use the Well-Watered Kids Worthy is the Lamb Advent Cards?
Commit to five minutes each day of pointing your kids to Jesus, who came as the Lamb of God to take away our sins! Simply choose the card with the correct date, read the Scripture, and answer the discussion questions together. The cards are simplified content from the women's Advent Bible study so you can teach your kids from the overflow of what you're learning. The Well-Watered Kids Advent Cards include:
- One card per weekday of Advent from December 1–30
- Short but theologically-rich content that engages your elementary-age kids with God's Word
- A daily question that rotates between comprehension, interpretation, and application to help teach your kids how to think about the Bible
Do you offer bulk discounts for groups?
We do! If you’re interested in ordering studies for a group of five or more, please email us at hello@wellwateredwomen.com for special pricing.
Do you ship internationally?
We do! Ordering right away is the best option for our international customers to ensure their orders will arrive in time for the beginning of the Advent season.
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