Calling All Angels: An Advent Study of Fearlessness and Strength

by Erin Wathen

Step into Advent with this captivating study and devotional, where angelic encounters come to life, echoing the timeless message of overcoming fear.

What would you do if you were not afraid?


Life can be daunting, filled with uncertainty and fears. It wasn’t any different two thousand years ago when Jesus was born. An aged priest is told he is about to become a father for the first time. A young woman is told she is going to give birth – outside the protection of marriage. A simple carpenter is asked to believe the impossible. A group of shepherds’ night on a hill is interrupted by a bright host of angels in the sky.

Yet, each of these encounters begins with the same  do not be afraid.

Those words, though, are not just words of comfort; they are an invitation and a calling from God. In this captivating Advent study and devotional, pastor Erin Wathen challenges us to take this timeless message and apply it to our lives today. Calling All Angels asks us to contemplate what would change in our relationships, vocations, congregations, and communities if we have the courage to overcome our fears like Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and the Shepherds in the story. 

Included in this book

Weekly studies perfect for individuals or groups Questions for reflection and discussionDaily reflections Worship resources including liturgies, prayers, and children’s momentsAn uplifting playlist to accompany you through the Advent seasonFree videos featuring the author are available online - perfect for beginning weekly studies, sparking meaningful conversations, and deepening your understanding of that week’s story.

Step into Advent where stories of angelic encounters come to life, echoing the timeless message of overcoming fear. Just like the characters in the nativity story, we're invited to embrace courage and join in God's transformative work.

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Chelsea Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for advent season for discussion at church. There were definitely some good takeaways, but my preference would have been that this was a bit more scholarly in its approach. Having said that, I’m not sure I know *exactly* what I mean, and I didn’t dislike it. I think its real value came from our Sunday school discussions that it inspired, which was ultimately the point, I suppose.

[Tommi Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautifully written journey thru Advent! Our church has chosen to use this book as our Sunday school curriculum. We are all loving it.

[Kali Cawthon-Freels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to see if it would be an appropriate resource for our Adult Sunday School class as well as our Youth Sunday School (we're hoping to do something intergenerational this Advent). I appreciate the topic. Typically when we think of Advent, we think of waiting for Christ to come. Wathen encourages readers to focus on all the times that the agents in the story of Jesus' birth are told not to fear. She then unpacks each movement of the story by paralleling it to a present-day conflict in the world or experience in her church. I found the book to be accessible and ask intriguing devotional questions. The book also has other resources (a Spotify playlist, slides, etc) which I appreciate having the option to use.

This book is written devotionally-- that is, it's not necessarily academic. I don't mean that as a negative or a positive, but rather a neutral observation meant to let readers know what to expect. You can expect prompts that encourage you to relate the story of Mary, Joseph, and others to your own life (not a bunch of word studies).

Overall, I think it's a solid Advent resource that invites readers to engage in the Christmas story a new way while remaining faithful to the text.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

We got this book as a resource for planning worship this Advent season. As such I think it is satisfactory, in that it provides some structure in terms of themes, Scripture passages, readings for Advent candle lighting, and ideas for individual or group activities. Personally I would have liked a bit more depth in exploring the Scriptures passages before going to how to apply them in our lives today, but that's something we can do ourselves also.

[Ruth A. Martz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding, inspiring and provocative! I appreciated the meditations based on the question: What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Fear is all around us and within us. The link to songs was wonderful, some calming, others with thought provoking images in the lyrics. Reflection questions are perfect for journaling, and worship resources may be used at home as well as church if possible. Thank you for this Advent gift!

[Efox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year our church's advent devotional was really excellent. I needed this one - fearlessness - because boy has this year been hard. Wathen's premise is what would we be able to accomplish if we actually listened to the thing the angels all tell everyone in the Christmas story when they meet them "do not be afraid!" They say this to Zachariah, Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds and they all respond in different ways telling different stories, but the same message - we don't have to let fear control our actions and when we are freed from fear - which is absolutely a prevailing emotion driving our entire country right now - how can we respond to what God is calling us to do.

I liked the way this one was set up - it had a longer week start reading (I presume for Sunday) and then five short reading/meditations for the rest of the week. I probably ended up reading most of them in one sitting (not the way it was supposed to go) but I did make it through and was able to keep up (something I struggle with - definitely the person who finishes her advent devotional in February some years). Extremely glad for this empowering, thoughtful, devotion for the season. Highly recommend.

[Abbi Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible Advent devotional for today. Connects Bible stories with modern life and has challenged me during this Advent season. I’ve started reading this each morning with my high school aged children and we’ve had wonderful discussion and prayer. 10/10 recommend!

[Kate Belt · Rating 4 out of 5]

My church handed out copies of this Advent study book, based on Year C of the Common Lectionary. It’s nicely written & very timely, with the last chapter noting that on Christmas Day 2023, just a year ago, Israel forces dropped bombs on Bethlehem.

[June Gillam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of unexpected blessings

Not only Christmas but also Lent insights and blessings in this book. I loved that the author at times references God using the pronoun she, as well. Highly recommended.

[Will Waller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Without much scholarship, this book does not have much heft. Best to seek out another girthier volume for your study and use.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[S Thompson]

This is a very good book for Advent. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it as an Advent preparation. I found the theme comforting and encouraging