Why We’re Publishing Two Advent Devotionals in 2024

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? It may seem a bit soon, still in the late days of summer, but this is the time of year when the long-term planners among us are thinking about Advent. Now is the time to be thinking about Advent devotionals for congregations, small groups, and personal use.

This year, in addition to the eight devotionals already in our catalog, Chalice is publishing two new Advent devotionals, Daring to Connect and Melodies of Faith. Why two?

Melodies of Faith: An Advent Devotional for African American Churches & Families was born from a conversation in a small-group presentation last spring. Following an annual presentation about Chalice’s ministry and upcoming titles, Rev. Dr. Charisse Gillett, the president of Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky, asked if I had a few minutes. “Are there any devotionals specifically for African-American congregations?” she asked. I knew immediately she had a great idea. We spent the next 20 minutes talking through the ingredients for an Advent devotional. Before we left the room, we agreed that she would ruminate on the idea a few days and let me know what she created.

Rev. Dr. Gillett connected with dozens of faith leaders of color to write devotions from an African American point of view with sacred holiday music as the connecting theme. “They mined their personal histories to connect that faith with their cherished memories and music of Christmas,” she wrote in the introduction. “The music is in conversation with the scripture, and our prayer is that both are in dialogue with your individual and collective faith journeys.”

The contributions were edited by Rev. Tanya Tyler, pastor of a Disciples congregation in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Lexington Theological Seminary and Disciples Home Missions provided additional financial support to bring Melodies of Faith to life.

Each devotional is like a little present, building the anticipation of “which song is this about?” Melodies of Faith invokes everything from the spiritual “Go Tell It On the Mountain” to Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” and even the Charlie Brown kids singing “The First Noel.” This is likely the first Chalice Advent devotional that will inspire a playlist. The stories take us to Christmas worship and to a grandfather’s house in the deep night darkness of the Mississippi Delta. We visit family meals and deep reads of works that shape our faith. We hope that after you read each entry, the song of the day accompanies you through your work, your relaxation, and your reflection.

Daring to Connect: Advent as Adventure is by Rev. Dr. Dawn Darwin Weaks, pastor of Connection Christian Church in Odessa, Texas, and author of Breakthrough: Trusting God for Big Change in Your Church. “Advent, this season of waiting for the coming of Christ anew, is meant to be an adventure. It’s right there in the word!” Weaks notes in the opening sentences of the introduction. She launches into stories of joy, courage, persistence, laughter, and radical trust — from God and us. “After all, our story as Christians centers on God’s outrageous risk of sending Jesus to us in the first place. So, this Advent, I invite you to take a daring posture. I ask you to choose to be open anew to connecting to people, places, and the presence of God. This Advent, let’s go on an adventure together of Daring to Connect.”

Together, our new devotional guides will help you look back at the celebrations of the past while anticipating the celebrations yet to come.

If an Advent devotional is a new concept for you, give it a try! They are among our most affordable products, and we have a variety of subjects to select. Having a daily touchstone, especially during the hectic holiday season, can change your view of the holidays and make for an even more meaningful season.

Gratefully,
Brad Lyons, President & Publisher