Preparing for Visitation :: Zechariah and Elizabeth (Season 4, Episode 4)

Our Response to Advent :: Worship or Rage (Season 4, Episode 7)

As we prepare for the fourth Sunday of Advent and the coming of Christmas Day, we want to finish this season by looking at our response. Now that we know Christ's coming changes everything, heals our hearts, reverses the strong for the weak, the glamorous for the ordinary, effort for grace, wealth for poverty, and the degradation of women for the worth of women and their partnership in the Gospel, what does this mean for us? What changes do we need to make in our everyday lives? Will we rage against the Gospel and the Kingdom of Christ like King Herod, or will we bow our heads and hearts in worship like the wise men in Matthew 2:1-12, 16-18? The essence of Advent is not only about looking back and remembering that Christ came as a baby, it is about looking ahead, and preparing our hearts for the day He comes again as the ruling and reigning king. Links Mentioned: FREE TOOL: Preparing for Christmas [https://susannahbaker.com/resource/preparing-for-christmas/] BOOK: Prepare the Way: An Advent Devotional by Susannah Baker [https://a.co/d/hoZY9PF] Connect with Susannah: Website: susannahbaker.com [http://susannahbaker.com]. Books and Bible Studies: www.susannahbaker.com/resources/ [http://www.susannahbaker.com/resources/] Instagram: @baker.susannah [https://www.instagram.com/baker.susannah/]

The Great Reversal, Part 2 :: Mary's Song (Season 4, Episode 6)

As we prepare for the third Sunday of Advent, we continue to look at the great power and strength of Mary's Song in Luke 1:25-56 and the cultural assumptions and weaknesses it reversed. We specifically look at the way Christ's coming changed the treatment of women and elevated and honored their status in society and everyday life. The coming of Christ truly changed everything, and it has the same power to change us today as well. Links Mentioned: FREE TOOL: Preparing for Christmas [https://susannahbaker.com/resource/preparing-for-christmas/] BOOK: Prepare the Way: An Advent Devotional by Susannah Baker [https://a.co/d/hoZY9PF] BOOK: Biblical Critical Theory by Christopher Watkin [https://a.co/d/aIA1lP5] BOOK: Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland [https://a.co/d/hfE6bWS] Connect with Susannah: Website: susannahbaker.com [http://susannahbaker.com]. Books and Bible Studies: www.susannahbaker.com/resources/ [http://www.susannahbaker.com/resources/] Instagram: @baker.susannah [https://www.instagram.com/baker.susannah/]

The Great Reversal, Part 1 :: Mary's Song (Season 4, Episode 5)

As we prepare for the second Sunday of Advent, we draw hope and encouragement from Mary's song and response to Elizabeth's greeting in Luke 1:25-56. We see how the coming of Christ changed everything, not only for Mary, but also for us. It challenges the ways we think about the Christmas story and how we apply humility to our daily decisions as well as the way we treat people in our daily lives. Links Mentioned: FREE TOOL: Preparing for Christmas [https://susannahbaker.com/resource/preparing-for-christmas/] BOOK: Prepare the Way: An Advent Devotional by Susannah Baker [https://a.co/d/hoZY9PF] BOOK: Biblical Critical Theory by Christopher Watkin [https://a.co/d/aIA1lP5] Connect with Susannah: Website: susannahbaker.com [http://susannahbaker.com]. Books and Bible Studies: www.susannahbaker.com/resources/ [http://www.susannahbaker.com/resources/] Instagram: @baker.susannah [https://www.instagram.com/baker.susannah/]

Preparing for Visitation :: Zechariah and Elizabeth (Season 4, Episode 4)

As we prepare for the first Sunday of Advent, it's helpful to look at Luke 1:1-25, 57-80 and how God used a season of silence to help prepare Zechariah for the coming of his son, John the Baptist, as well as for Christ, the coming King. Instead of seeing his silence as a punishment, Zechariah used the silence as a time to rebuild his trust in the goodness of God and draw near to the Word of God, allowing its promises and hope to heal his heart. Through the story in Luke, we are given that same invitation of healing and hope during the season of Advent as well. Links Mentioned: FREE TOOL: Preparing for Christmas [https://susannahbaker.com/resource/preparing-for-christmas/] BOOK: Prepare the Way: An Advent Devotional [https://a.co/d/7m99NTG] Connect with Susannah: Website: susannahbaker.com [http://susannahbaker.com]. Books and Bible Studies: www.susannahbaker.com/resources/ [http://www.susannahbaker.com/resources/] Instagram: @baker.susannah [https://www.instagram.com/baker.susannah/]

Prepare the Way :: An Overview of Advent (Season 4, Episode 3)

I grew up in the Presbyterian Church and loved celebrating Advent at church and around the dinner table at night. My favorite part of Christmas still is celebrating Advent with my family, lighting the candles at the table, and preparing my heart for the coming of Christ. In today's episode, I talk about what Advent is, how we celebrate it as individuals and families, and why it's such an important part of our yearly rhythm as followers of Christ. Links Mentioned: FREE TOOL: Preparing for Christmas [https://susannahbaker.com/resource/preparing-for-christmas/] BOOK: Prepare the Way: An Advent Devotional [https://a.co/d/7m99NTG] Connect with Susannah: Website: susannahbaker.com [http://susannahbaker.com]. Books and Bible Studies: www.susannahbaker.com/resources/ [http://www.susannahbaker.com/resources/] Instagram: @baker.susannah [https://www.instagram.com/baker.susannah/]