As the Darkness Clears Away: 25 Daily Devotions on How the Incarnation has Shifted History (Ascol)

Description

This little book is meant to be used as a daily devotional guide throughout the Christmas season. It is broken into five sections of five devotions. Each section focuses on one passage of Scripture that is considered verse-by-verse. The book is designed for use as a personal or family devotion tool. Each individual study has some questions to help apply the passage and each section has a text to commit to memory. As a bonus, there are several original Christmas poems in this work from my dear friend, Dr. Tom Nettles that I am sure will be an encouragement to you.

As the Darkness Clears Away is a lyric from the old hymn Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence. It is my hope that this guide will be a helpful reminder this Christmas season that Jesus, the Light of the World and Giver of Life, came and defeated death and darkness. It is through the life, death, and resurrection of our incarnate God that we can sing “That the pow’rs of hell may vanish, as the darkness clears away.”

Contents

Introduction:

Section 1: Isaiah 9:1–7

1. God Will Rescue His Suffering People — Isaiah 9:1–5
2. Post Tenebras Lux — Isaiah 9:2
3. The Birth That Changed the World — Isaiah 9:6
4. Upon His Shoulder — Isaiah 9:6b–7a
5. The Zeal of the Lord — Isaiah 9:7b

Section 2: Isaiah 40:1–5

6. The Comfort of Christmas, Part 1 — Isaiah 40: 1–2
7. The Comfort of Christmas, Part 2 — Isaiah 40: 1–2
8. “Let every heart prepare Him room” — Isaiah 40:3
9. He Will Prepare the Way — Isaiah 40:4
10. The Glory of God in the Birth of His Son — Isaiah 40:5

Section 3: John 1:1–14

11. Jesus is the Word — John 1:1
12. The Word is God — John 1:1–4
13. The Word Became Flesh — John 1:14
14. Light and Life at Christmas — John 1:4
15. A Light in the Darkness — John 1:5

Section 4: Luke 2:22–35

16. Hope and Peace in Christ — Luke 2:25–32
17. The Significance of Christmas — Luke 2:29–35
18. A Divider of People, Part 1 — Luke 2:34–35
19. A Divider of People, Part 2 — Luke 2:34–35
20. A Divider of People, Part 3 — Luke 2:34–35

Section 5: Matthew 1:18-2:18

21. Born of a Virgin — Matthew 1:23
22. Born for an Eternal Purpose — Matthew 1:21
23. An Apathetic Response — Matthew 2:3–6
24. Gifts for a King — Matthew 2:10–12
25. Hope from the Ashes — Matthew 2:12–18

Conclusion: Fear Not — Luke 2:8-11

Endorsements

Tom’s decades of preaching and meditation on the truths of the incarnation are evident in As the Darkness Clears Away. If you are looking for a heavy dose of Biblical Christology accompanied by the practical insights of a seasoned pastor, this the advent devotional will be a great encouragement to you.
—Graham Gunden, Assistant Pastor, Grace Baptist Church Dean of Theology and Philosophy, The Fletcher School Cape Coral, FL

Dr. Ascol has, once again, beautifully compiled the abiding truths Christians need most in these turbulent times. Each devotional is jam-packed with soul-soothing reminders of God’s faithfulness, and every question inspires the reader to think more deeply about eternity and its implications for our lives today. Now, as ever, you need the wisdom presented in this book.
—Allie Beth Stuckey, Author and Host of Relatable

About the Author

Tom Ascol has served as a Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL since 1986. He has a BS degree in sociology from Texas A&M University and has earned the MDiv and PhD degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Tom serves as the President of Founders Ministries and The Institute of Public Theology and as the Chancellor for Founders Seminary.