Advent Reader

Today is the first day of Advent, and I have published a devotional reader this year. A few of the readings started out on posts on this very blog. I thought it would be fun to publish the readings here for those who might want to receive the readings directly into their inbox, or be able to forward them easily to friends of family. If you would like to download the ebook, head over to smashwords and get it here, or you can head over to www.dfrbook.com and get a pdf version from here.

The Advent – An Introduction
The term Advent comes to us from the Latin “Adventus” which literally means coming.  The season of Advent is a traditional time of spiritual preparation, for the coming of Christmas and for the future coming of Christ. Christians have observed this special time of remembrance, preparation, and anticipation for more than 1500 years.

As we prepare to celebrate the fact that Christ came, so long ago, we reflect on the implications of the incarnation, the in-fleshing of God for us today. The fact that God became one of us, like a stranger on the bus, is one of the most profound mysteries of our faith, and is unique to Christianity.

Only Christianity tells this particular story. Other religions have men pursuing God and of God speaking, of God coming toward them; but only the Bible tells the story of the God of the universe becoming one of us. He did this so that we could become one with Him. It is all about relationship.

Over this Advent Season, I invite you to join me on a journey of reflection and anticipation, as we examine different facets of the beautiful jewel of the gift of God with us. It is dazzling from a distance, but let’s not stay at a distance this year. Let’s examine it carefully and prayerfully. Let’s be amazed again as we stare into the depths of this mystery that lies at the heart of our faith.

This book was written with a heart for relationship with God and also with each other. While I hope it will be helpful for individuals, I have written it specifically with families and communities in mind. That might include a daily gathering for reading, discussion, and possibly prayer, or it might be done individually with the idea of sharing the experience in community while only gathering occasionally during Advent.

Each day includes three items: 1 - An advent reflection to stimulate your thinking, 2- Some questions to help you reflect personally or corporately, and 3- Suggested biblical passages that relate to the theme for the day. I have tried to include questions that will help you to dig deeper, while also providing simple applicational questions that even young children can consider.

My prayer is that the words on the pages ahead will lead you deeper into the word of God and lead you closer to the Word that is God.