As we have emphasized this year at TWI, Advent is traditionally a season of waiting. Traditionally, the Christmas hymns, the celebrations, the parties—they all waited until the beginning of the twelve days of Christmas. Instead, Advent songs were songs of longing, waiting and longing for Christmas to come. And the point was to remind Christians...
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Contributors from all over America reflect on the theme of longing and silence in their experiences of the Advent season.
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It’s Thanksgiving here in the United States, where both TWI and a large portion of our readers are based. For those of you feasting today, Happy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving begs the simple question: “To whom?” If we give thanks, that implies an object. Who is the recipient of our thanksgiving? For ancient Israel, the phrase “They...
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Alongside the eggnog, the tree, the decorations and gifts, and the ringing of the Salvation Army collection, most of us associate Christmas with the music. Indeed, Christmas carols are some of the very richest of all Christian hymns and music, packed with deep reflections on the coming of the mystery of the ages, how God...
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Over the years, our founder and Senior Fellow Dr. Steve Garber has written many short meditations inspired by the Advent season, reflections that bring us deeper into the biblical story and the broader traditions that surround the Christmas season. Readers of our site regularly revisit them, so we are pleased to gather them as a...
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However and wherever you may be celebrating Thanksgiving this year, take some time to reflect on God’s goodness and provision using this prayer from The Valley of Vision: O MY GOD, Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be,...
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