A Time of Wonder: The Days of Advent Through the Eyes of Worship

by Julia Bartel, Jonathan Chan, Isaac Gay

The Christmas season might seem like an odd time to turn to Ecclesiastes in your Bible. As December dawns, there’s no time to ponder the ephemerality of life—the house needs cleaning! The cookies need baking! The presents need wrapping! The family needs to be entertained! Or maybe the season that feels bereft of spare time is exactly the moment to ponder the fleeting nature of our lives.

We often engage a wide spectrum of experience during this unique season. Ecclesiastes bears testimony to the reality that there is a specific time for everything—for plantingand sowing; for crying and laughing; for lamentation and celebration. Wherever the Christmas season finds you this year, you can take heart in the fact that God orders reality according to seasons and rhythms that are sometimes dark and sometimes light; sometimes heavy and sometimes full of levity.

In this Advent devotional from Christianity Today, we move through the cycle of morning, afternoon, and evening, each with its own tone and specific reality to press into. As we move through the weeks of Advent, this devotional guides us along a journey through times of renewal, trial, revelation, and ultimately to a time of wonder at the great gift that we have at Christmas: Christ’s incarnation on Earth, his taking on flesh for the sake of love and our salvation. Dive in, find the time to witness the days of Advent through the eyes of wonder, and join as we worship together.

116 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Dianne Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short book of nativity reflections. Page 90 has my favorite one titled “A Promise in the Darkness.” We all get afraid of the dark and challenging experiences that come our way, but we are never truly alone. While this book is specifically focused on Advent, it would make a great devotional anytime of year.

[Tyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated this Advent Devotional which was so insightfully prepared and gifted to me by Christianity Today. I took my time and hand wrote answers to all of the Reflection passages after I read each days assigned portion of scripture and devotion.
Lots of underlined passages and points I hope to remember. I think this devotional helped me slow down and appreciate this Christmas season more. My heart feels humbled.
Although they were all very good, my favorite essays were, When You're Ready for Jesus to Return by Karen Stiller and Away in a Manager, Humiliated by Vijay Krishnan.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entry written by Lily Journey on Simeon was my favorite. I appreciate her calling him to my mind. His journey of expectant waiting will be thematic for me in 2025. I want to build my own spiritual journey around a theme of expectant waiting.

[Kimberly Phinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful devotional—and could really be enjoyed all year because of its richness. I was also blessed to have my essay, “A Promise in the Darkness,” included. I am very grateful to Christianity Today and editor Conor Sweetman for this opportunity. I highly recommend this devotional.