ADVENT DEVOTIONAL | Day 23 | A Glorious Temple

READ
5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. 6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.
Haggai 2:5-9

REFLECT
The people in Haggai’s day were charged with rebuilding the temple. As they began their work, the new temple felt small and unimpressive compared to the glory they remembered. Into their discouragement, God reminded His people that His Spirit remained among them and He promised that the latter glory of the temple will be greater than the former and that in the temple, God would give peace.

At Advent, we see how this promise found its fulfillment in Jesus. Centuries later, Christ walked into that very temple. While He came humble, riding on a donkey’s colt, His presence brought a glory far greater than anything stone or silver could contain. In Him, God’s Spirit dwelt fully, and through His life, death, and resurrection, true peace with God was secured.

And the promise continues. Through Christ, God now makes His dwelling place in His people. Scripture tells us that we as believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who strengthened Israel, who filled the temple with glory in Jesus’ day, now lives within us. Advent reminds us that God is still near, still working, still bringing peace—not just to places, but to people. As we wait for Christ’s return, we live as living temples, bearing His presence and peace to a weary world.

RESPOND
Take a moment and reflect on how amazing it is that you don’t have to go to a temple to find God’s presence because His Spirit dwells in you.
As a living temple of the Holy Spirit, what might it look like this week for you to bear Christ’s presence and peace to the people and spaces around you as you wait for His return?