Overview

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, Advent is often treated as little more than an extended celebration of Christmas. In this short study, Alex Thompson examines the season of Advent as a distinct and important part of the Christian story as it looks forward both to Christ's arrival and his return in glory. Using the rich imagery of the classic Advent hymn ""O Come, O Come Emmanuel,"" he explores the way the New Testament draws on the Old Testament to express the longing for God's deliverance in Jesus. Individual readers and small groups alike are invited to reclaim Advent as a Christian season that captures the longing of the church and invites them into deeper commitment to Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us.

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9781666724349

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Reviews

Thompson's study opens up the Scriptures in wonderful ways. Perfect for small groups, large group settings, or individual study, this is a tremendous resource for any congregation and all Christians, whatever their faith tradition. I can't recommend this little book highly enough! This is world-class scholarship in the service of Christ and his church. --Jim Ware, University of Evansville Thompson leads readers into a powerful contemplation of Advent's 'double vision, ' and brings both the riches of the scriptural tradition and the complexities of contemporary experience into a conversation generated by one of the church's ancient liturgical hymns. Simply and elegantly written, this meditation exemplifies scholarship in service of the church. --Luke Timothy Johnson, Emory University, emeritus Thompson provides a splendid resource that enables churches to deepen their Advent yearnings and join ancient Israel in longing for the coming Messiah--yes, his first Advent, but also, importantly, his second Advent. --Paul R. Raabe, Grand Canyon University Alex Thompson has woven together stories--biblical, liturgical, church historical, and some of his own--and invited us to add ours as we journey together through Advent. This is a marvelous book for small-group or individual study skillfully written by one of the church's finest pastor-scholars. --William P. McDonald, Tennessee Wesleyan University Thompson has integrated his personal experiences as a pastor and a professor, knowledge of church history, and the relationship between the Old and New Testaments to write a beautiful Advent devotional. It is a reflective piece that will help anyone who wants to more fully engage with the Advent season as they await the coming of the Christ child once again. --Jennifer S. Wyant, Associate Pastor, Birmingham UMC

Author Information

Alex Thompson is a professor at Tennessee Wesleyan University and ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as a pastor of Niota and Cedar Springs UMC. His current research focuses on the New Testament, resurrection, and the intersection of pop culture and theology. He lives in rural Tennessee with his wife Mary and their two boys.

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