Preparing for the Messiah: Day 1

— Making Room for the King

Today we begin our journey — forty days of drawing closer to Jesus, the One who was promised from the very beginning. 🌿

Long before shepherds heard the angels sing, before a star appeared over Bethlehem, God had already spoken the first words of redemption.

Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:15
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Reflection:
In this single verse, right after humanity’s first sin, God reveals His mercy.
Even as Adam and Eve faced the consequence of disobedience, God spoke a promise — that one day a Savior would come to crush the enemy and restore what was lost.

As we begin Preparing for the Messiah, this is where our story starts: with hope born out of grace.

Today, reflect on this truth: God’s plan for redemption has always included you.
He saw the brokenness of the world — and instead of turning away, He made a way.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your promise of salvation.
As I begin this journey, help me see how deeply I need Your grace.
Teach me to rest in the hope You first spoke in Eden — the hope that led to the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb. Amen.

Today’s Action Step:
Write down one way you’ve seen God bring hope out of a hard season.
Let it remind you that His promises always come to pass.

📖 If you’re journaling through Preparing for the Messiah, take time to fill today’s pages with what this verse means to you.

💛 Throughout the day, you can reflect on your verses digitally. Open the 40 Verses for Advent link and read Genesis 3:15 slowly — maybe more than once — letting the promise settle in your heart.

The story of Christmas begins here — not in a stable, but in a garden, with a promise that God Himself would come to redeem His people.

With grace and anticipation,
Constance Hadley
@constance_hadley