The King Shall Come

AN ADVENT CAROL DEVOTIONAL

Introduction

I think there is a tendency sometimes to define Advent in a negative way, by what it is not, as in “not Christmas.” It is easily skipped over and merged with Christmas, but it is a distinctive season of its own. Advent is a time to reflect on both the past and the future. During Advent we remember the Old Testament prophecies that point to Jesus’ birth, and the promise of Jesus’ future coming. We think about Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, John the Baptist, and the angel Gabriel. Advent means longing for Jesus, for his judgment/justice, mercy, and peace.

Through this project I wanted to create a way for me and other people to not only better understand Advent intellectually but to experience it, to have a sense of what Advent feels like. I hope that you read the devotionals each day, you will take the time to listen to each song and that you will have a sense of what Advent feels like. Many of these songs are ancient and have been sung and listened to by countless Christians over the centuries. I love how they sound in both traditional and contemporary versions.

I am immensely grateful to Diana, Eddie, Laura and Tim for their thoughtful and prayerful contributions. I hope that you find them as inspirational as I have. May Christ’s peace be with you this Advent, and may you grow closer to God with each passing day.

by Erica Andersen

Contributors

  • Diana Austin

  • The Rev. Deacon Erica Andersen

  • Tim Andersen

  • Eddie Black

  • Laura Bray

Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
Tim Andersen Tim Andersen

Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

When I was a small child and I did something wrong, I would cry, feeling awful not only because I had done wrong but because I was being punished for it!

Read More
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Eddie Black Eddie Black

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

This hymn sits in the context of the Hebrew scripture and history.  Israel long awaits the coming of Emmanuel “God is with us” (Isaiah 7:10-16) for the transformation to a reign of peace.

Read More
Watchman, Tell us of the Night
Erica Andersen Erica Andersen

Watchman, Tell us of the Night

When I first heard “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night” by John Bowring, I instantly liked it for one simple reason: it reminded me of the song “All Along the Watchtower” by one of my favorite songwriters, Bob Dylan. 

Read More
Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies
Diana Austin Diana Austin

Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies

Written by the prolific hymn writer Charles Wesley, “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies” is a rich and beautiful hymn that speaks to us on several levels. 

Read More
Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly
Tim Andersen Tim Andersen

Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly

Mary is a mother to all of us, in a way, a source of comfort and wisdom that not everyone gets from their own mothers. It is no wonder that she so often draws us into prayer because we need a mother sometimes to whom we can unburden our hearts.

Read More
Jesus Shall Reign Wheree’r the Sun
Erica Andersen Erica Andersen

Jesus Shall Reign Wheree’r the Sun

My daughter loves to ask questions that begin “how many days till...”  Like many children, she is constantly anticipating the next exciting event.  S

Read More

Advent Resources by St. Andrew’s