This Advent program, written by The Rev. Dr. Pat Dutcher-Walls, has been created to help congregations understand and appreciate the Old Testament texts that underlie the many beautiful hymns that the church sings during Advent. The resources assembled here are arranged so that your congregation can use this program as an Advent Bible study, an Advent sermon or full service for regular worship, such as an Advent Lessons and Carols service. No matter how you choose to use the program ,you will need a willing musician to accompany the hymns you choose to sing as a part of the Bible study, sermon, or worship service.
Resources include a video introduction that explains the program and sets out the themes. The heart of the program consists of a series of seven short videos about texts from the usual Advent Old Testament readings; these texts also form the basis for hymns from the PCC hymnal. Each video explains the original context of a passage in ancient history and indicates how the passage lived on in both Jewish and Christian tradition. When combined in units of 1) the background video, 2) the reading of the biblical text, and 3) the singing of the suggested Advent hymn, your congregation will learn both about the spiritual themes of Advent and about the Hebrew Bible roots of the beautiful hymns we sing during Advent.
A program introduction and a script of the videos and Bible readings accompany the videos to guide your use of the program. Blessings to you and your congregation this Advent!
Advent 2024 – Intro