Waiting for and Hastening His Appearing
Advent is the beginning of the Church Calendar in which God’s people wait for and hasten his appearing. As The Apostle Peter encouraged the Church that had been dispersed throughout the world: “What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2Peter 3.11-13)
We just recorded a new episode on the Here Below podcast in view of this season of repentance and faith and waiting and hope.
In a culture that chafes against this Christian practice of waiting, we are reminded to press against the tide of blatant consumerism and easy fixes to life that will sooner or later burst or slowly drip your life away. The gifts of God were never intended to replace the Giver. We are well aware of each of our tendencies to cling to good things and fill our hearts with blessings…thus crowding out the slow and transformative work of God’s painful work of removing things from our lives. Advent affords a time to find strength in that others are also trimming the wicks of their hearts and filling their lamps with expectant oil for Christ’s Return to set all the fractures aright. As you plan and make your spiritual formation intentional, we have compiled a list of resources to do just that.
Use them to shape you…
READ
“A Simple Advent Guide” by Tsh Oxenreider
The Advent of Glory: 24 Devotions for Christmas by R. C. Sproul
Come, Let Us Adore Him, A Daily Advent Devotional by Paul David Tripp
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus by Nancy Guthrie
Cur Deus Homo: Why God Became Man by Anselm
Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas by Ruth Chou Simons
Everyday Gospel by Paul David Tripp
Goodness and Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
Good News of Great Joy by John Piper
Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ by Timothy Keller
The Jesus Storybook Bible: A Christmas Collection by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Joy to the World: Daily Readings for Advent by Charles Spurgeon
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room by Nancy Guthrie
Love Came Down at Christmas: Day Readings for Advent by Sinclair Ferguson
On the Incarnation by Athanasius
Repeat the Sounding Joy: A daily devotional on Luke 1-2 by Christopher Ash
“Take Heart Devotional” by Greg Strand
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp
Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
The Wonder of the Christmas Gift: An Interactive Family Celebration by Ann Voskamp
GIVE
Compassion International: Sponsor a Child or Shop the Gift Catalog
Miracle Hill: Supply Donations
Project Host Soup Kitchen: Monetary Donations or Food Donations
EXPERIENCE
A Drummer Boy Christmas (music album) by King and Country
Advent (music album) by Liturgical Folk
Advent Gregorian Chants (music album) by CantArte Regensburg
Behold the Lamb of God Livestream
Christmas at the Billy Graham Library
Christmas Carols for a Kid’s Heart (CD) by Bobbie Wolgemuth
Handel’s Messiah (YouTube video) by Royal Melbourne Philharmonic
Heaven Has Come (music album) by Sovereign Grace Music