Experiencing Christmas: Christ in the Sights and Sounds of Advent

by Matt Rawle

Discover how everything changed when God was born.

Everything seems different at the end of the year. We put lights on our houses to dispel the growing darkness, Christmas music floods local radio stations, apple cider and cranberry sauce are again on the menu, and wrapping paper and tape are always ready. Things just look, smell, and taste differently during the Advent and Christmas season, and these differences are a sign to us that God is about to do something radical and different. Christmas is when God surrounded the divine with senses of his own. That first noel was when God had eyes to see suffering, ears to hear our cries, and hands to hold those in need, and all of these senses were bundled in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. “This will be a sign to you,” the angel told the shepherds, and they traveled to Bethlehem and found a child. What signs do you see during the Advent and Christmas season that point you to the divine?

Additional components to use the book as a four-week small group study include a leader guide and DVD/Video Sessions featuring Matt Rawle. This book also includes a link to free downloadable teaching resources for children and youth.

135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2023

About the author

Matt Rawle is Lead Pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City, LA. Matt is an international speaker who loves to tell an old story in a new way, especially at the intersection of pop culture and the church.

Matt has a B.A. in music from LSU and an M.Div. from Duke Divinity School. He and his wife Christie have three daughters. Matt loves meditating on Scripture, listening to the heart of God, and inspiring people to do the work of God—Love. He also loves thinking about new ways to tell an old story.

He is the author of a new series of books titled The Pop in Culture Series. The series includes The Faith of a Mockingbird, Hollywood Jesus, and The Salvation of Doctor Who.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it led to some interesting discussions I felt the book tried too hard to fit things together. Ideas were stretched to the max. As one reviewer said it was scattered. I feel like someone is told go and write a book about advent and then comes the attempt to fit things into your theory. Sometimes it just does not work

[Will Zant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a great reminder of how our senses are on over-drive during the Christmas season and help us prepare for the coming of our savior. Wonderful book!

[Debbie Babbage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this with a small group and it was wonderful. It really sparked some discussion. We are reminded to not only engage our senses with the Christmas story but with all scripture.

[Eileen Ayuso · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Advent study, focusing on the senses and how it relates to our experience and expectation of the coming Christ child.

[Ltcls · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bible Study group liked this, but I found it a little repetitive and scattered. We had interesting discussions and I liked some of the author’s points.