In this Advent journey through Luke 1 – 2, Christopher Ash brings these familiar passages to life with fresh insight, colour and depth.
As you soak up the Scriptures, you'll experience the joy of Christmas through the eyes of those who witnessed it first hand, from Mary and Elizabeth to the Shepherds and Simeon. This devotional will help you to celebrate afresh the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah in history, and learn what it means to wait for him with joyful expectation today.
Each day's reading includes a short reflection, a prayer, a carol, and space to journal, helping you to treasure the Lord Jesus in your heart in the hectic run-up to Christmas.
160 pages
Contents
- Introduction
- 24 readings from Luke 1 – 2:
- 1. A reassuring certainty (1:1-4)
- 2. Poignant hope (1:5-7)
- 3. Coming home (1:8-17)
- 4. Resting on a word (1:18-25)
- 5. Good government at last (1:26-33)
- 6. Conceived of a virgin (1:34)
- 7. A powerful overshadowing (1:35)
- 8. A wonderful faith (1:34-38)
- 9. Jumping for joy (1:39-45)
- 10. The humble lifted high (1:46-55)
- 11. Rescue from terrible enemies (1:56-75)
- 12. An ancient promise remembered (1:72-73)
- 13. Light has dawned (1:76-80)
- 14. The shadow of the cross (2:1-7)
- 15. Victory in weakness (2:8-12)
- 16. Glory and peace (2:13-18)
- 17. Treasuring and pondering (2:18-20)
- 18. Jesus! (2:21)
- 19. Waiting with hope (2:22-25)
- 20. Good news for the world (2:26-32)
- 21. A sword for the soul (2:33-35)
- 22. Active waiting (2:36-37)
- 23. Waiting together (2:38)
- 24. The silent years (2:39-40, 51-52)
Christopher Ash has put together a wonderful resource for Advent. Engaging explorations of Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus, a prayer to pray, a hymn to sing (if you dare) and room to record your own observations. We tried them around the dinner table and they worked. Recommended.
Mark Thompson, Principal, Moore College
I can think of no better way to approach the Christmas season than reading the richly biblical and thoughtfully pastoral meditations in Christopher Ash’s latest book. Ash always writes with an insightful sensitivity to the joys and sorrows, the hopes and fears of Christians, and these twenty-four meditations on the opening chapters of Luke’s Gospel are no exception. The meditations unfold both the wonder and the challenge of the incarnation. Reading these brief chapters will inform and inspire. I have resolved to buy copies for my children and their families.
Ian Hamilton, Trustee, Banner of Truth
Christopher Ash is a proven scholar with pastoral sensibilities. His Advent meditations will give substance to the season for you and your kin. As the world turns its attention to Christmas, even as much as it tries to cover it over with Santa and sentimentalities, it unavoidably invites Christ’s people to commend him. Let’s not blush and utter a few holiday trivialities. Let’s give details and contours. Let’s provide reasons for Christmas—which begins with feeding our own souls on the substance of the season. Open to these 24 meditations each day in December and let the fresh air of Christmas sanity return to your soul.
David Mathis, Executive Editor, desiringGod.org
Repeat the Sounding Joy: A daily Advent devotional on Luke 1 – 2 is in the following collections: