When God Comes Down: An Advent Study for Adults

by James A. Harnish

When God Comes Down is a five-week study, providing one lesson for each week of Advent and one for Christmas. Each lesson includes a key Scripture, a brief reflection, discussion/reflection questions, a brief prayer, and a focus for the coming week. In this study, Harnish explores the meaning of the incarnation…God with us in human flesh. 

Often our Advent/Christmas journey is focused on us – our memories, feelings, relationships and experiences.  This study puts the focus on God’s action in Jesus Christ.  It encourages participants to think more deeply in terms of the biblical, theological, and spiritual meaning of the Nativity and to apply it to their own lives.

The study looks at the stories of the primary biblical characters in the birth stories through whose lives the miracle of incarnation Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Harnish also looks at a traditional character in nativity plays, one who is not mentioned in the Bible, the innkeeper.  Through all these characters, he helps us claim for ourselves the reality of God's presence with us.

Genres: Religion

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book to lead an advent adult-study at my church and it was very good. It worked well for my congregation, but I think it can be used well anywhere. The author uses good examples of things and has different ideas to get people engaged. He also brings out things I had never noticed. My favorite study in particular was the one on the innkeeper, but I also liked the ending study on amazement. I will most likely come back to this book at some point and use it again or at least borrow his ideas from it. There was nothing earth shattering, but it was very good at being exactly what it was made to be.

[MaryAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for an adult Sunday school class. It was OK -- fairly worthwhile but nothing earth shattering.

[Beatrice E. Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for an Adult Advent class

Some good stories that teachers can use to encourage people to think about Christmas in a fresh way. A good Advent lesson.

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book to lead an adult advent study at my church. It was a great resource. Lots of conversation and well written.

[Sparrow12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

good