Advent is upon us once again. But, due to a somewhat spontaneous vacation and upcoming houseguests, this won’t be a good season for me for writing. And so, I thought I’d share with you my collection of Advent series from previous years, in case any of them pique your interest to follow along with this year.
May this season be a blessing to you and to those you love, and a reminder of all that is good, true, and beautiful in anxious times.
2018: Exile and Anticipation
A short, two-part series exploring two sides of the Advent season.
2019: The ‘O Antiphons’
A series reflecting on the ‘O Antiphons’, short hymns traditionally sung within Vespers in the last week of Advent. (These antiphons were also the inspiration for the verses in the better-known Advent hymn ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.)
- O Sapientia (Wisdom): Stop, Look, and Listen
- O Adonai (Lord): With Outstretched Arm
- O Radix Iesse (Root of Jesse): Never Too Late
- O Clavis David (Key of David): The God Who Frees
- O Oriens (Morning Star): Where am I pointed?
- O Rex Gentium (King of the Nations): Questions of Authority
- O Immanuel: God is with Us
2020: People Look East
A series reflecting on the verses of the wonderfully rich Advent hymn ‘People Look East.’
- People Look East: Set the Table
- People Look East: Furrows Be Glad
- People Look East: When Night is Dim
- People Look East: Set Every Peak and Valley Humming
2021: Signs of the Times
A series exploring the idea of perceiving and understanding ‘the signs of the times’.
- Signs of the Times: An Advent Reflection on Luke 21.25-36
- Signs of the Times: The Christmas Difference
- Signs of the Times: STOP
- Signs of the Times: LOOK
- Signs of the Times: LISTEN
2022: Waiting for God
A series looking at Advent through the messianic oracles of the Prophet Isaiah.
- Waiting for God
- Hope of the Nations: An Advent Reflection on Isaiah 2.1-5
- All Is Not Lost: An Advent Reflection on the Remnant in Isaiah 1-12
- Life from Death: An Advent Reflection on Isaiah 11.1-10
- New Life on the Way: An Advent Reflection on Isaiah 35
- A Voice in the Wilderness: An Advent Reflection on Isaiah 40
- With Us Within the Ambiguity of Life: An Advent Reflection on Isaiah 7.10-17
- Joy and Sorrow, Excitement and Anxiety: An Advent Reflection on Isaiah 52-53
2023: Coming Soon
A series looking at the four traditional Advent themes of Love, Hope, Peace, and Joy
Matthew Root 