EPISODE · Dec 2, 2023 · 38 MIN
193. How to Celebrate Advent — A Conversation with Eric Huntsman
from Faith Matters · host Faith Matters
Professor Eric Huntsman has an infectious enthusiasm when he talks about Christmas. He’s up for the fun, the decorating, the shopping, the lights, and the gift-giving. He also has a deep intellectual curiosity and many years’ academic research into the historical development of this holy day. And of course, most importantly, he has a profound devotional attachment to the holiday’s namesake, Jesus Christ. So it’s only natural that he would spend years developing ways to help his family, students and community find more meaning throughout the Christmas season. One way that he’s done that is through the observance of Advent. Much more than just the calendar many of us think of checking off the days in December leading up to Christmas, Advent is a traditional Christian season that’s been observed for at least 1500 years and is marked by the four Sundays prior to Christmas, each of which celebrates a theme of Christ’s birth: hope, love, joy, and peace. In today’s conversation, Eric shared with us the background and purpose behind Advent and some of its symbolism, how he celebrates it, and what he recommends for anyone looking to observe Advent as part of creating their own traditions or rituals.Resources:Good Tidings of Great Joy: An Advent Celebration of the Savior's Birth (Eric's book): https://www.amazon.com/Good-Tidings-Great-Joy-Celebration/dp/1606416596/rCome, Lord Jesus: An Advent Invitation (Wayfare Magazine): https://www.wayfaremagazine.org/p/come-lord-jesusCelebrating Advent: https://huntsmanseasonal.blogspot.com/2013/11/celebrating-advent.htmlFirst Advent: https://huntsmanseasonal.blogspot.com/2013/12/first-advent-hope.htmlChristmas Resource Guide (Daily December devotionals): https://huntsmanseasonal.blogspot.com/p/christmas-resource-guide.htmlAdvent Carols: https://www.amazon.com/Advent-Carols-Countdown-Stories-Christmas/dp/1639930477Tickets for Restore 2026 are now available, and we have a new format we think you're going to love. Get details here!
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Professor Eric Huntsman has an infectious enthusiasm when he talks about Christmas. He’s up for the fun, the decorating, the shopping, the lights, and the gift-giving. He also has a deep intellectual curiosity and many years’ academic research into the historical development of this holy day. And of course, most importantly, he has a profound devotional attachment to the holiday’s namesake, Jesus Christ. So it’s only natural that he would spend years developing ways to help his family,...
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193. How to Celebrate Advent — A Conversation with Eric Huntsman
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