eBook - Advent for Exiles

A different style of advent devotional is in our midst. Our family is using this for our daily advent devo this month. I love the depth that it takes. Our kids are older and can appreciate new perspective and deeper thought. High quality Advent devotionals are hard to select, but this is one worth considering. I don't necessarily recommend if you ...Read MoreRead more about A different style of advent devotional

are looking for one to use for a family with younger kids. Read LessRead less about A different style of advent devotional

I was familiar with Caroline Cobb because of her music, so when I found out she had an Advent devotional I was confident it would be beautifully written and faithful to Scripture. Her words are honest and thoughtful, and each day's message packs truth into a short reading. There are song lyrics, the Scripture passage(s), and a response activity ...Read MoreRead more about I was familiar with Caroline Cobb

or prayer for each day. There is a link where you can listen to each song that goes with the readings, which adds an extra layer of depth and a unique way of contemplation. It's a small book with a lovely cover, and an even more beautiful message - that when we feel like exiles (this world is not our home!) we can long for and rejoice at the coming of Jesus. Read LessRead less about I was familiar with Caroline Cobb

Caroline Cobb is a singer and songwriter, but in my estimation, she is also a storyteller, and in her showing and telling, she has captured the fragrance of lament that is the essence of Advent. Jesus is “the joy of every longing heart” because we wait for him to end our exile once and for all. In Advent for Exiles, Cobb traces the biblical theme ...Read MoreRead more about Caroline Cobb is a singer and

of exile from our banishment from Eden to the ashes and ruin of Jerusalem and on to the hunger for home that you might be feeling today. Digging into the rich biblical imagery of a sunrise, a seed, a king, a highway, and a city she encourages readers to put their hope in God’s bright promise of rescue as we wait for all things to be made new. Each reading comprises a song lyric, a scripture reading, a reflection, and a prompt to respond. The message is strong and true: “We do not despair in the darkness of our exile or our longing for home because the hope of Christ is as sure as the sunrise.” Read LessRead less about Caroline Cobb is a singer and

I will admit up front that I love the Advent season and I love Advent devotionals. So why should you read this one this year? Here are some reasons, in no particular order, why this should be your next read this year.

Family oriented:

There is something for everyone in Cobb’s writing. That is to say, there isn’t anyone on Earth ...Read MoreRead more about I will admit up front that I love the

that can’t personally relate to the content of her writing. And her writing style is easy to read, passionate, caring, insightful, and by no means least, creative. It will engage your imagination and your own creativity.
There is heavy content contained in her writing, so parents may want to have follow-up discussions with their kids about what you read together. But there isn’t anything that is inappropriate for children.

Honesty:

In order for us to truly appreciate why Jesus came, Cobb’s writing sets the stage with a universal problem. The total depravity of man. It’s not a warm and fuzzy feeling that we like to associate with our American Christmas. But if we want to truly celebrate Christmas for what it really means, this honesty is the very best place to start. Cobb has the boldness to address what none of us want to address at Christmas. We cannot live a good life. We cannot fulfill God’s law. We do not know how to love. We need Jesus in our lives.

Message of Hope:

Cobb so wonderfully draws out how Jesus meets all our needs, even in our deserts. We might continue to strive to live a good life apart from God, to fulfill his laws apart from him, to love others out of our own strength. Whether from habit or from outright rebellion, we may stray from him in our deserts. But God longs to teach our hearts and souls and minds that He will provide, even when we think our situation is bleak beyond redemption. And Jesus was that ultimate provision. What our hearts have been longing for. He is the fulfillment of every need we have.

Multifaceted devotions:

Cobb will engage all your senses in this journey so that you can holistically relate to the story of God and the human condition that none of us are exempt from.
Each devotion has a Bible reading that pulls from Old Testament and New. In good Advent style, it shows the prophecies in the Old Testament and shows their fulfillment in the New Testament. Cobb loves how the Bible is interconnected from beginning to end and longs to show others how the story is fluid and its integrity unwavering.
There is also a reflection written by Cobb that will tease out the elements of the Bible stories that once distilled, do not seem so foreign or removed from time and culture.
Cobb shares lines from her own songs she’s written that relate to each devotion. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to relate to the topic through your senses and go to carolinecobb.com\adventforexiles and listen as you go through the devotionals. Listen to the songs throughout your day to help you to dwell on the devotional and what it has for your heart and soul.
Finally, there are ways to respond at the end of each devotional. Whether in prayer or in practice, there are sweet activities that the whole family can do together. In fact, Cobb recommends that they are better to do with others than alone.

Daily Devotions:

There are good Advent Devotions that are only one for each week of Advent, but why squander Advent by not doing a daily devotion? I am so excited that Cobb decided to make hers a daily devotion. It will enrich your Advent season and it will focus your heart on the meaning of Christmas more acutely than a weekly devotion will be able to do. This is a big advantage to other devotionals in my opinion.

This year, don’t settle for a mediocre Advent devotional when this one is right at your fingertips! Read LessRead less about I will admit up front that I love the