Advent resources for you and your church
/By: Ali Hull
There are two times of year when publishers compete with each other to provide resources: Lent and Advent. As the latter is an extremely busy time of year, a quick overview of what is available might prove helpful.
The resources out there include study courses, devotionals and Advent readings, for personal, homegroup or congregational use. Some concentrate closely on the biblical text or on individuals from the Christmas story, others look at issues thrown up by that story – and, not surprisingly, the issue of migration and the plight of immigrants feature strongly.
Mary’s Voice
To start with the Christmas story, Amy Orr-Ewing has written Mary’s voice: Advent Reflections to contemplate the coming of Christ (Worthy Publishing, 2023).
This is an illustrated hardback, although not cheap, would make a good gift, and goes some way to balance the indifference with which the Protestant side of the church often treats Mary.
The Gifts of Christmas
Sheila Walsh has written The Gifts of Christmas: 25 joy-filled devotions for Advent (Baker Books, 2023).
This book covers a lot of different Bible passages and focuses on something new every few pages, with a lot of autobiographical material. A much lighter read, therefore, than the book on Mary.
Stick with Love
Arun Arora has written Stick with Love, which is the 2023 Archbishop of York’s Advent book (SPCK, 2023). Bishop Arora’s book of Advent Reflections is a collection of short pieces on different Christians from different backgrounds and countries, over a long period of time. While the subjects are varied, there is a consistent focus on what God has done in each individual’s life, and this provides a central cohesion, even with chapters on such varied individuals as George Floyd, Eglantyne Jebb and Billy Graham. Each chapter ends with questions for further reflection, and there are, in many cases, suggestions for further reading.
Searching for Home
Cole Moreton’s book, Searching for Home: Advent reflections on the God who welcomes everyone (SPCK: 2023), focuses on the issue of home, the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt, and the plight of refugees today. It is part of a four-week course that comes with both a video and an audio download. Cole Moreton, a journalist and broadcaster, has spent a lot of time talking to today’s refugees, and the intention here is to remember others as we lead up to Christmas, a time when self-indulgence can seem rife.
Shorter Devotionals
10ofthose have a wide range of resources – check out their website – including no less than four Advent devotionals, each containing 25 very short pieces. The first is The Coming of the King, which is made up of readings taken from J C Ryle’s Expository Thoughts from the Gospels, brought together by Mary Davis. Ryle died in 1900, so the language here is not particularly user-friendly.
Avoiding the usual New Testament Advent readings, Matt Searles’ Comfort and Joy focuses on Isaiah 40-55, and could provide inspiration for a series of Advent sermons, as could Finding Hope under Bethlehem Skies, by Robin Ham, which is based on the book of Ruth.
The last shorter devotional looks at the book of Luke: The Radiant Dawn, written by Tom Parsons.
Star of Wonder
The final book in the pile of Advent resources is Star of Wonder, written by Angela Hunt (Bethany House: 2023). Again, this book is divided into 25 chapters, but they are longer than most of the books listed here, and range widely over the Advent story, including the people, the places and the history.
Starting with the wider issues, such as Bethlehem and Egypt, the book focuses in finally on Mary, Joseph and Herod.
Bio: Ali Hull
Ali Hull has spent nearly thirty years working with words, as a writer, editor and writing coach. Now the Book Editor for Preach magazine, her ‘to be read’ pile is approaching frightening proportions.
