Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Advent

Finding the Real Meaning of Christmas: The Apolytikion of the Forefeast of the Nativity

December 20, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 7 Comments

Apolytikion of the Forefeast of the Nativity

If you are part of a Western church that tries to live into the Church year, Protestant or Catholic, you know that in Advent there is a battle afoot. Our churches tell us to focus on Advent. Advent is the ramp-up to Christmas. This season is about waiting for Christ to come — remembering Christmas […]

Filed Under: Bible, Music, Worship Tagged With: Advent, Apolytikion of the Forefeast of the Nativity, Meaning of Christmas

New Online Class for Advent — Lectio Divina

November 24, 2016 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Advent starts Sunday! And so does my brand new online class on lectio divina. I suspect that, like me, you want this Advent to be a time of deepening your connection with God — instead of being swept into the hurly burly of shopping and office parties. As the prophet and the gospel remind us, we need to […]

Filed Under: Bible, books, Church Year, Reviews Tagged With: Advent, Lectio divina, online class

Advent 2–Reading Isaiah (cont.)

December 11, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Funny things happen when reading Isaiah if (a) you are a Christian and (b) you have a theological education in a mainline Protestant tradition. (a) As a Christian, there is a whole lot of Isaiah, like the series of oracles to the nations (see chapters 13 and following), that just seems like hard slogging. The references […]

Filed Under: Bible, Church Year, Theology Tagged With: Advent, Christian use of the Old Testament, Emmanuel, God with us, Immanuel, Isaiah, Isaiah 7:14, Typology

Advent 1–Reading Isaiah

December 1, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

I’m setting out to read Isaiah again this Advent: 25 days to read 66 chapters. It shouldn’t be a problem but, what with a pile of grading running into preparation for the looming new semester, holiday gatherings, and a sinful nature I seldom seem to reach the end in time. My ancestors in the Reformed tradition jettisoned […]

Filed Under: Bible, Church Year Tagged With: Advent, Advent 1, First Sunday of Advent, Isaiah

The Secret to Living Comfortably in Stressful Times (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 1)

December 18, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

Christmas is a week away. The stress level is getting a tad high. We long for just a few comfortable moments. Actually living in comfort seems way out of reach. There is the front burner stuff: shopping wrapping, cooking, parties. Or maybe it is the opposite front burner stuff: no money to shop with nobody […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Advent, Christmas, Comfort, heidelberg catechism, Isaiah 40, Question 1

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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