A Very Midtown Advent Book List [updated]

[The following post has been updated as of November 28, 2018.]

I am prone to be dull, spiritually drowsy, halfhearted, lukewarm. That is the way human beings are, including Christians, even about great things…What you and I need is usually not a brand-new teaching. Brand-new truths are probably not truths. What we need are reminders about the greatness of the old truths. –John Piper

For those of you looking for some additional daily readings during this Advent season, here are a few that we would recommend:

Good News of Great Joy by John Piper
Piper’s Good News of Great Joy contains twenty-five short devotional readings beginning December 1st and going through Christmas Day. This book of advent meditations aims to put Jesus at the center of your holiday season.  Our Staff read this together several years ago and found it to be a helpful tool as we anticipated the celebration of Christ’s birth. And even better news: a free downloadable version of the book is available! (Click here!)

The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by John Piper
Structured identically to Good News of Great Joy, this book contains twenty-five different scripture passages and devotional readings. Piper reminds readers that Christmas is about the coming of Christ into the world and it is his hope that these daily devotions will serve to focus our hearts on adoring Jesus, which is essentially what advent is all about. Free downloadable version is available! (Click here!)

Come Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp
Tripp’s advent book contains one devotion for each day in December with the intent of helping its readers slow down, prepare their hearts, and focus on what matters most: adoring Jesus. Each devotion starts with a gospel-centered thought followed by an extended meditation for the day. At the end of each daily reading there is a brief devotion for parents and children featuring one central theme from the Christmas story and related scripture verses. 

She Reads Truth (and now He Reads Truth) Advent Studies
Each year, the online resource She Reads Truth puts out a daily Advent Study that begins on the first Sunday of Advent. These studies are free through their website (and available for a fee through the She Reads Truth App). While 2018 will not come out until December 2nd this year, 2015, 2016, and 2017 are still available on their website.

For those not familiar with the She Reads Truth study format, each day consists of several scripture passages to read on your own followed by a blog post written by either a She Reads Truth blog contributor or a guest writer. These readings are definitely more “blog post” in style and should be read as such. In order to get the most out of these studies, we recommend reading and possible journaling and/or praying through the scriptures on your own and then reading the blog post as a follow up to that.

Advent 2015: Born is the King
Advent 2016: Christ Was Born For This
Advent 2017: Joy to the World

Hidden Christmas by Tim Keller
While not a daily Advent reading book, this one is just too good not to include. Keller’s goal in writing this book was to “make the truths of Christmas less hidden.” Keller takes readers on a journey into the surprising background of the nativity. By understanding the message of hope and salvation within the Bible’s account of Jesus’ birth, readers will experience the redeeming power of God’s grace in a deeper and more meaningful way. This is a great one to read on your own and we’ve also seen it be beneficial to read alongside with someone who does not yet fully grasp the meaning of Christ’s coming. It’s perfect for gospel-conversations and questions!

related read: “A Very Midtown Children’s Advent Book List” blog post

A Very Midtown Children’s Advent Book List [updated]

[The following post has been updated on November 28, 2018.]

Build God-centered anticipation and expectancy and excitement into your home—especially for the children. If you are excited about Christ, they will be too. If you can only make Christmas exciting with material things, how will the children get a thirst for God? Bend the efforts of your imagination to make the wonder of the King’s arrival visible for the children. –John Piper

As Advent approaches, we wanted to provide parents with some additional resources that may be helpful as you seek to build God-centered anticipation and excitement in your homes.

But before we begin, just a little reminder from author Elyse Fitzpatrick: 

Above all, please don’t make this a way to earn righteousness or “make a tradition” that will somehow save your children when they, like you, are “prone to wander.” Traditions don’t save us, the Christ-child does…Don’t worry if you don’t get this done every day or in the right order. We tell you not to worry because you’re not the one bringing Christ to your children. The Holy Spirit does that. He may use you as a means to accomplish His work….or He may not. You can pray and then trust that He will use this season and your entire life in just the way He chooses.

So with that in mind, here are some helpful resources to help you point your family’s heart toward the advent of God’s Son this Christmas season:

Daily Advent Books:

Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
If you aren’t familiar with The Jesus Storybook Bible, it is one of our favorites all year long as each story whispers His name, pointing readers to Jesus. And there just happen to be exactly twenty-four Old Testament stories leading up to the birth of Jesus in the narrative. Start on December 1st, and you will reach the story of Jesus’ birth right on Christmas day. 

Check out this website for a free download of illustrated cards from the Storybook that match each daily reading. We recommend printing these on cardstock, laminating, and hanging one each day after reading the corresponding story for a great visual reminder of our waiting for the coming King. We’ve seen families turn them into Christmas ornaments or create a simple banner to hang from the mantle.

Unwrapping the Greatest Christmas Gift by Ann Voskamp
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift is Ann Voskamp’s interpretation and extension of the Advent tradition of the Jesse tree. Similar to The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent plan, the Jesse tree uses Old Testament stories, this time, tracing Jesus’ family tree. As Voskamp describes in her opening: “The tree we really need to understand and be astonished by is the family tree of Jesus Christ. Because this is our story—your story…He adopts all the messy and broken and imperfect people into his tree and he gives us his family name.” Unwrapping the Greatest Gift begins on December 1st. Each day contains a scripture reading, a family devotion, one to three questions to discuss as a family, and additional optional family activities. 

Many families choose to make their own “Jesse trees” in conjunction with their reading. If you’re feeling particularly crafty, check out Pinterest for lots of ideas for making your own daily Jesse tree ornaments as a family. Or, if family crafts aren’t your thing, check out Etsy for many sets of Jesse tree ornaments ready to purchase. Feeling particularly thrifty? Voskamp provides a link to free downloads of pictures you can cut and use as ornaments. Use code “Jesse.” 

Counting the Days, Lighting the Candles by Elyse Fitzpatrick
Geared towards elementary aged children, Counting the Days, Lighting the Candles (by author of Give Them Grace) is certainly the least frilly of the Advent bunch. Be prepared to look past a few typos, but what you will find is a sweet devotion that allows families to rest and rejoice in the Advent season. Each day contains a scripture passage to read as a family, followed by a mini devotional specifically for parents and then a devotion to read as a family. 

Each week also contains an additional family activity set up to tie in with that week’s study. As Elyse mentions in her introduction, each weekly activity requires a bit of prep work and she encourages parents to think through the best day of the week to complete the activity. 

Why Do We Call it Christmas? Reading Plan
Connect modern traditions with the birth of Jesus in this 10-day reading plan. Each day contains a short video clip from Phil Vischer’s (Veggie Tales) Buck Denver Asks- Why Do We Call It Christmas?, scripture reading, and short reflection with prayer prompts.

Picture Books:

Who Is Coming To Our House by Joseph Slate
Marketed Age: 1-3 years old
Available in board book or paperback, this simple book describes how the animals prepare a cozy home for the baby Jesus. The repetition of the book is immediately appealing to young children. While there’s room to be cautious about nativity books from animals’ perspectives, this sweet story provides age-appropriate anticipation of the birth of Christ, keeping His coming at the center of the story as the animals join in celebrating the newborn King. 

What is Christmas? by Michelle Medlock Adams
Marketed Age: 2-5 years old
Michelle Adams’ warm humorous text lists all of the things that Christmas might be about, only to conclude that it is truly about celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Savior. The whimsical art and rhyming fun-to-read verse draws young children in and serves as a great tool for helping young children process all that makes up the holiday season. And if the book ends up being a hit in your house, Adams has an entire series of similar books worth checking out! 

Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Marketed Age: 4-7 years old
A personal favorite, author of the Jesus Storybook Bible creates a beautiful picture book that captures the moment that Christ arrives. The book contains the refrain “It’s time! It’s time” as creation whispers a secret: the long-awaited child had arrived! Lloyd describes the quiet celebration of creation in a way that will leave you and your family praising God as you celebrate that “the one who made us has come to live with us!”

The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell
Brand new this year (and by the same publisher as The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross which we are huge fans of) comes a captivating retelling of the Christmas story with adorable illustrations showing how God kept His promise to send a new King, a rescuing king, a forever king! This book helps children discover exactly how God kept His Christmas Promise.

related read: “A Very Midtown Advent Book List” blog post
 

How to Throw a Lifegroup Christmas Party

Jake Blair, one of our Church Planting Candidates, shares some ideas for how to host a memorable and intentional Christmas party this holiday season. 

It’s that time of year where many of our calendars are filled with Ugly Christmas Sweater parties, Secret Santa gift swaps, cookie exchanges and the like. In the midst of all the events, sometimes it’s hard to know how to maximize social enjoyment and gospel intentionality in a way that doesn’t feel awkward or forced.

This requires considering who is there. If your group has a lot of non-believers involved, make sure you help them understand what you’re doing and why. Give them a heads up so they don’t feel like any kind of bait and switch weirdness is happening.

With all that in mind, here are some ways to remind ourselves of the hope we have in Jesus by throwing LifeGroup parties that are both fun and full of gospel intentionality:

Consider Reading and Praying Together

• This can work with an all adult party or a mixture of kids and adults!
• Gather in a big circle and have someone or multiple people in your LifeGroup read the Christmas story out loud. 
• When you’re done reading, spend some time praying and thanking God for sending His Son, Jesus to save us from our sins. 
• Reading plans:
  • Simplest - Read Luke 1:1-21 straight through (or break it up into three parts - Luke 1:1-7, 8-14 and 15-21.)
  • Or make your own!

Sing Together

As Elf reminds us, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.” As the Scripture reminds us, no one has more reason for Christmas singing than those of us who believe God sent His son to save us! And over and over (references from isaiah and Psalms and New Testament) God actually commands us to sing out loud. 

Why? Because biblical truths have a way of sinking further into our hearts when we put them to melody and music. So, get past any social awkwardness and strike up a fun and rich gospel-centered carol!

• Have someone print out lyrics to familiar Christmas hymns and sing them together. Consider songs like, “Silent Night”, “Joy to the World”, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, “Joy Has Dawned” or “Come and Stand Amazed.” 
• If you have musically gifted folks, encourage them to bring their instruments and play! 

Feast

In Isaiah, God promises us that when Jesus returns, we will all enjoy a massive feast with Jesus as the guest of honor. In light of that, every feast here on earth has the potential to point our hearts toward the feast He is preparing for us in that day.

• Throw a big potluck. 
• Don’t be thrifty with food; be extravagant! Encourage everyone to bring their very best thing they make. (a.k.a. Don’t ruin Jesus’ birthday party with instant potatoes.)
• Invite people who could use a feast. Consider who in your life doesn’t normally get invited to the best parties and make them feel extra welcomed.
• When you pray before the meal, emphasize God’s incredible goodness in providing this small feast and inviting us to the larger feast of heaven!

Start a New Tradition

Healthy families make memories together. One of the best ways to do this is by creating traditions that help make memories for years to come.

Discuss beforehand what would be fun for y’all. Make it special and memorable. (For example, if you always only do Secret Santa every year, consider mixing it up!) Options could be:

• Watching a Christmas movie together that everyone quotes specific lines together.
• Play a post-dinner football game or card game. 
• Have a gingerbread house building contest!
• (Consider incentives like: winners win a prize or losers have to clean the dishes!)

Throwing a LifeGroup party this holiday season? Use the hashtag #AVeryMidtownChristmas and we’ll feature you in our social media.

Why We Take A Break At Christmas

As long as we've been a church, we haven't hosted Gatherings on the weeks around Christmas and New Years. Since this is different than what many churches do, we thought it might be helpful to explain why.

1. CHURCH IS MORE THAN WHAT HAPPENS ON SUNDAYS.

The bible is clear that church is a group of people, not a service on Sunday. While meeting together is important, it is not the main way church is practiced. So when we don't have Gatherings, it doesn't mean we're not "having church." It simply means that during that week, our church will not all be meeting together in a building.

2. REST AND FAMILY TIME IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR STAFf and volunteers.

Not having Gatherings around the holidays helps enable our church staff and pastors to take time off to rest and be with family. This helps our staff and pastors be good leaders to their family, in addition to good leaders of our church. In addition, the bible tells us that resting is a good way of reminding ourselves that it is ultimately God who holds things together, not us. For our staff, resting is important so that we remember that God is ultimately the one who leads his Church.

3. CHRISTMAS IS A GREAT TIME FOR MISSION.

Christmas is arguably the time of year that boasts the most parties and get-togethers. Take the time you would have spent at a Gathering and/or serving with Midtown, and attend/throw a party instead. Show the love and hospitality of Jesus by enjoying time, company, and food with your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors.

Columbia Christmas Greatness

The Christmas season is here! In case you are looking for great Christmas-themed activities to do, and since we are a church that loves our city, we thought we would highlight 5 great Christmas things to do around Columbia.

1. Lights at the Zoo.  Every Christmas for the past 25 years, Riverbanks Zoo sets up Christmas lights all over the premises.  More information here: http://www.riverbanks.org/events/lights-before-christmas.shtml
2. Saluda River Lights. If walking through the zoo sounds too cold, the Saluda Shoals Park is another great place to go see  some Christmas lights from the comfort of your own car. They have over a million Christmas lights with over 400 animated themes within a 2-mile drive.  More information here: http://www.icrc.net/events/holiday-lights.aspx
3. Ice Skating. Nothing says "Tis the season" like skating on a giant block of ice. Columbia now has its first outdoor ice skating rink on Main Steet that is 50' x 63'.  More information on dates and times of operation can be found here: http://www.columbiacvb.com/includes/events/index.cfm?action=displayDetail&eventid=11367
4. Devine Night Out. More than 40 stores on Devine Street in Columbia will welcome guests from 5 to 8 p.m. on December 13^th for an evening of shopping, socializing and festive cheer. The celebrations continue from 8 to 10 p.m. with a fabulous FREE After Party at Burger Tavern 77 featuring live entertainment and an assortment of complimentary food and beverages. More information can be found here: http://devinestreetcolumbiasc.com/news_and_events/news/39/
5. |giv| Allen-Benedict. No Christmas is complete without Midtown's |giv| campaign. This year we are rallying towards a local, here-in-Columbia project. We are going to give our prayers, financial support, and even ourselves to be behind a launch of  a new campus right in the Allen-Benedict Area. More information can be found here: http://midtowncolumbia.com/allen-benedict-campus/

Why We Take a Break at Christmas

As long as we've been a church, we haven't hosted Gatherings on the weeks around Christmas and New Years. Since this is different than what many churches do, we thought it might be helpful to explain why.

1. Church is more than what happens on Sundays.

The bible is clear that church is a group of people, not a service on Sunday. While meeting together is important, it is not the main way church is practiced. So when we don't have Gatherings for two weeks, it doesn't mean we're not "having church." It simply means that during those two weeks, our church will not all be meeting together in a building.

2. Rest and family time is important for our staff.

Not having Gatherings for two weeks helps enable our church staff and pastors to take time off to rest and be with family. This helps our staff and pastors be good leaders to their family, in addition to good leaders of our church. In addition, the bible tells us that resting is a good way of reminding ourselves that it is ultimately God who holds things together, not us. For our staff, resting is important so that we remember that God is ultimately the one who leads his Church.

3. Christmas is a great time for mission.

Christmas is arguably the time of year that boasts the most parties and get-togethers. Take the time you would have spent at a Gathering and/or serving with Midtown, and attend/throw a party instead. Show the love and hospitality of Jesus by enjoying time, company, and food with your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors.

We will have no Gatherings at either campus on December 23 and December 30. Gatherings will resume on January 6, with the exception of the Devine Street 7:00pm Gathering, which will resume on January 13. For details about our holiday Gathering schedule, visit our calendar or Gathering page.