It's that time of year. Well, almost. Christmas movies. Christmas parties. Christmas cookies. Christmas music. Christmas lights.
And Christmas studies. It's a delightfully busy time of year, so they say. I've found that taking deliberate time away from the activities of Christmas and spending time focusing on the activity of Christmas makes the season even more special.
The activity. God coming to Earth as a baby to rescue us. God sending angels to deliver messages to us. God setting the star in the sky to proclaim his big move. That's activity! I want to savor the unimaginable gift of the season.
This year, in addition to my daily devotions, some friends and I will be walking through this new study, Awaiting the Already by Magrey deVega. Here's the publisher's summary:
The Christmas story we know so well is really a compilation of accounts found in each of the Gospels. Although the four books present the event somewhat differently, each of them leads us on the Advent journey of preparation for Christ’s coming. Awaiting the Already takes us on a tour through the Gospel narratives, showing us what parts of the Christmas story come from which Gospel, and helps us to recognize that each Gospel writer invites us to encounter a fresh experience of the birth of Christ. This thematic Bible study is designed to be used by individuals and small groups during Advent. Each chapter offers questions for reflection and discussion, a brief prayer, and a focus for the week.
We are going to try something new this year - we will take this journey in person and online. You are welcome at my house on Mondays - Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12 and 19 - at 9:30 for hot drinks and something delicious to eat. If you can't make that, follow this blog for the weekly update and we'll discuss the lessons through the comments section. We can trade insights, answer the questions and share how God is speaking to us this season. Here are two links for you to order your book.
https://www.amazon.com/Awaiting-Already-Journey-Through-Gospels/dp/1501800892
https://www.christianbook.com/awaiting-already-advent-journey-through-gospels/magrey-devega/9781501800894/pd/800894
Thank you for your pioneer spirit in trying this online discussion group. Now go order your book and get back to Thanksgiving prep. Remember, cleaning, cooking, playing games and enjoying Thanksgiving are all part of living for the Lord. (day four of lesson 5 in the 1 Corinthians study)
Have a cheerful heart, friends, and keep your eye on the timers!
So, what kind of pie are you having with Thanksgiving?
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to this study! My book is ordered and should arrive on Tuesday. Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze in some reading time over the Thanksgiving weekend. Attending the Monday get-together doesn't work well for me but I'll try to attend one session. If the online discussion works well, I may have discovered a new way to learn about God and share with my sisters in Christ. I pray that God blesses our time together, both in person & electronically. God is good!
ReplyDeleteThe introduction of the book is great! It's a wonderful perspective on Advent and setting the stage for Jesus Christ's birth.
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