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

Laura Bray 12/12/24 Laura Bray 12/12/24

Of the Father’s Love Begotten

Even though it is one of the oldest hymns in Christianity, “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” is still as relevant as ever in our worship today.

Diana Austin 12/11/24 Diana Austin 12/11/24

Savior of the Nations Come

I had not heard of “Savior of the Nations, Come” until Erica assigned it to me. One of the first things that I did was to listen to multiple versions. (My favorite was Koiné’s You Tube version from their album, Emmanuel Lux.)

Eddie Black 12/10/24 Eddie Black 12/10/24

Prepare the Way O Zion

Do you always welcome your birthday? I’ve had years where I didn’t want to celebrate my birthday.

Erica Andersen 12/9/24 Erica Andersen 12/9/24

The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came

or many people, their understanding of angels, or their “angelology” springs from the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Laura Bray 12/8/24 Laura Bray 12/8/24

Benedictus/Song of Zechariah

Few canticles in the Bible are set to music as frequently or as well as the song of Zechariah.

Tim Andersen 12/7/24 Tim Andersen 12/7/24

Lo He Comes with Clouds Descending

This hymn gives me chills and the times I’ve performed this song I’ve loved singing out “deeply wailing!” so loud my voice rang around the church.

Erica Andersen 12/6/24 Erica Andersen 12/6/24

The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns

I remember hearing and singing this hymn as a child. On hearing the first verse, I have always imagined a beautiful mountain landscape, a cool crisp morning, and a king and his men arriving on horseback.