O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: An Advent Study

by Lifeway Women

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel…”
 
The familiar carol rings true with beauty and grace, but few stop to consider the deep theology of this tune.
 
O Come, O Come, An Advent Study explores Jesus’ work on our behalf in the message of Christmas. This study will not only fuel our worship of Jesus, but help the reader foster steadfast love anchored in biblical truth now and all year long. Readers will more fully understand the anticipation and waiting that the Old Testament world endured, the light and life Jesus came to bring us, and the eternal promise that Jesus is yet ushering us into.
 
This beautiful resource will also include advent activities to help kids, students, and adults celebrate the Christmas season together. This Christmas season, set your focus on the anticipation and joy that only Christ can bring in this study of Advent.
 
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

144 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[Jenine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved being prompted through this study to remember and recall what the gift of Jesus means, all the ways He intersects my life, His love for me and the life He calls me into.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn’t what I expected of an Advent study but it was interesting

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some sections of this study guide that I’d give 5 stars to, and some sections that I’d give 1-2 stars.

Pros:
The intro to this book was written in 2020 so it was very timely. The content is timeless, but especially relevant now in 2020/21.
I liked that it went through the attributes of Christ found in “O Come O Come Emmanuel” and dove deeper into who Christ is and how he is with us and personified light, wisdom, and desire of all nations. My favorite section by far was wisdom.
The daily sections were very doable and I liked the setup of the days/weeks- it never felt daunting and I could pick it up whenever I had 10 minutes to spare. Also, it is a beautiful book to work through (although ironic that the last section talks about celebrating Christ/Christmas around the world, but all the images are very American Christmas…. But they ARE lovely images!)

Cons:
The biggest downside is that the book felt extremely disjointed. Because every single day has a different author, some of the days were more “milk” and some were more “solid food.” Multiple days reviewed how to become a Christian, and multiple days repeated the same scriptures with little variation. It could have been more cohesive and comprehensive - maybe with more editing or group planning among the authors?
I do wish there had been more diversity in race and age among the 24 authors (about 20 of them are white women in their 30s/40s), but that’s on me for not choosing a different book.

Overall, it got me reading the Bible and I learned more about Jesus during the Advent season, which is the whole point!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several Lifeway contributors wrote lessons for this Advent study using the hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel as the basis for this 5-week study. Also, each week has added crafty projects for kids, teens, and adults. I did manage to do one of the crafts with my daughter and she really enjoyed it. During a "normal" year I would have been annoyed with one more thing to do. But this year I have really enjoyed finding time to indulge my crafty side.

I think this rating is as much about me as the study. Others in my group really liked this study, but I had trouble finding time to do the homework, so I didn't get as much out of it.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us celebrate Christmas without fully understanding the full meaning behind the holiday (myself included). The study helped remind myself and open my eyes once more to the impact of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection on my own life and how I can spread the gospel and hope Jesus brings to others this season. I felt refreshed and so much more peaceful over the 5 weeks of this study. Highly recommend, you don’t even have to only do this study during Advent; the Christmas message is timeless.

[SarahO · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first advent study! This was Lifeway Women's advent study for last year but it still worked for this year so I'm happy.
I love the Song this was based off of and I though they did a real good job of using it to focus on Christ. All of the fill-in the blank questions were pretty good but I really struggled with week 3's because I wasn't quite sure what they were asking so there was a lot of blank spots left. Other than that though I greatly enjoyed this study!

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as a gift at a women's Christmas event on Dec. 1. The book is set up to be a 4-5 week study with a group of women, but I just went through it on my own. It's fine. If you have used any LifeWay materials before (LifeWay is the publishing arm of the Southern Baptists), it's heavy on salvation. I don't have small children or young teens, but I liked weekly suggested activities they had for children and teens.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this bible study as a bible study but it was not an advent study. Very little in my opinion about Christmas. Maybe it’s because I read it over a longer period than advent. But I did like it.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the better advent studies I've done! It includes crafts that actually seem doable too. I really loved how it was structured around a classic Christmas song. Gives that song a whole new meaning for me.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic Advent study on my favorite Christmas carol. Thought provoking and moving. I enjoyed the activities for teens and kids included, too, even as an adult!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first advent Bible study! Absolutely loved and will be doing again for years to come.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study during Advent. Loved the ideas given for activities for children, teens and adults.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I need December 2021

[Savana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a four-week study, and not a lot of content. Good for the holiday season, and good content. Would have liked more substantial material, but I still enjoyed it.

[Stephanie Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Advent Bible study

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the take on this topic for the season.

[Bridget Mcgahen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reminder of our deep need for Jesus being why Christmas is so great

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my fourth advent study from lifeway women, and each one I have very much enjoyed.
I love being intentional about focusing on Christ’s long awaited birth in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.
At the end of each week there is an activity/exercise for adults, teens and children, which I love to share with my family! There’s also plenty of room to take notes and a group study guide at the beginning of each week.