Longing for Christmas, an Advent devotional from Rooted Ministry, helps teenagers recapture the joy and wonder of Christmas by unwrapping God's promises throughout Scripture.
Do you remember what it felt like to be a little kid at Christmastime? There's nothing quite like the anticipation of Christmas morning. But the holiday can lose its wonder as we wake up to the many hard things going on in our lives and in the world. The loss we feel over our childhood experience points to a deeper longing inside all of us—for everything sad to be undone and for us to live together with God in perfect joy.
Longing for Christmas looks at twenty-five promises God made and fulfilled in the coming of Jesus. As we explore the way God has kept his promises, we can be encouraged that ALL of the longing we feel—for a better world and for things to be made right—will be fully met in Jesus.
AUTHOR
Rooted Ministry's mission is to equip and empower churches and parents to faithfully disciple students toward lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. Rooted creates curriculum, podcasts, articles, books, and conferences to transform youth ministry so that every student receives grace-filled, gospel-centered, and Bible-saturated discipleship in the church and at home. Find out more at rootedministry.com.
Chelsea Kingston Erickson, MDiv, serves as Editor of Youth Ministry Content and Director of Publishing for Rooted Ministry. Having served as a youth minister for thirteen years, Chelsea is passionate about teaching teenagers biblical theology and helping them learn to study Scripture for themselves. Chelsea is the editor of Longing for Christmas: 25 Promises Fulfilled in Jesus, Advent Devotional for Teenagers. She lives north of Boston with her husband, Steve, and their two young sons.
“Christmas is not about holly-jolly sentiment. The incarnation is an act of war, the Light shining through a darkness that cannot overcome it. This book is for teenagers who take seriously that reality and who want to follow Jesus even when his light is the only one shining.”
Russell Moore, Editor in Chief, Christianity Today
“Give yourself a dose of hope and joy every day of Advent this December with these short, warm daily readings. They’re realistic about life yet full of positive truths about your present and your future and will help you reach December 25th celebrating that Christmas is the great declaration that God always keeps all of his promises.”
Carl Laferton, Bestselling author of The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross
"In the frenzy of the holiday season, Longing for Christmas invites students to slow down and consider what's really on their wish list this Christmas. Tapping into our deep human needs for belonging, peace, unity, and hope, this book shows students how every longing is fulfilled in Jesus. It's a great companion for Advent, Christmastide, and beyond."
Clarissa Moll, Author of Hurt Help Hope: A Real Conversation about Teen Grief and Life after Loss and Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief and Thriving after Loss
"Longing for Christmas reminds youth that they long more for God himself than for his gifts. The authors of this devotional understand the world of teenagers and lift their eyes and hearts to behold the beauty and power of Jesus to fulfill their deepest longings."
Mike McGarry, Director, Youth Pastor Theologian; author of Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith, Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers, and A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry
"What I love about Rooted's devotional, Longing for Christmas, is that amid a usually joyous season, our heart's longings sometimes betray these thoughts. This devotional points us to our faithful Lord and to the great promises of God. Through deep biblical reflections and personal stories, it reminds us of the hope we have in Jesus Christ."
Danny Kwon, Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross Cultural Initiatives, Rooted Ministry
"While this is an Advent devotional written for teenagers, adults, I promise you will want this too! This book skillfully identifies the longings we all have and then provides the balm to our souls we all need. I can’t think of a better gift than a daily personal reminder of God’s promises fulfilled in Jesus."
Kristen Hatton, Counselor; author of Parenting Ahead
"Longing for Christmas provides comfort to teenagers through its message of hope in a complex and complicated world. It speaks to the deeper longing in every human heart for relationship with the God who makes and keeps his promises. This devotional is a gift to teenagers that points them to the promised gift of Jesus, in whom the longing of their hearts is filled."
Isaiah Marshall, Director of Ministry Development, Rooted Ministry; author, former youth minister
"Drawing from diverse voices, Longing for Christmas connects teenage experiences to the good promises God offers in his Word and for this world. The devotional does not sacrifice depth for connection as it serves as a handbook for Christians reading the prophets today. This devotional will bless teenagers as it prepares their heart for the Lord's coming."
Skyler R. Flowers, Family Pastor, Grace Bible Church, Oxford, MS; associate program director, The Keller Center
"As a longtime youth pastor, I wish I'd had this book to recommend to students years ago. Young people are always looking for deeper meaning at Christmastime, beyond just what will be under the tree, and this resource does just that. It speaks to young people exactly where they are and points them to Emmanuel."
Syler Thomas, Pastor of Community Life, Christ Church, Lake Forest, IL
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Chelsea Kingston Erickson, and Rooted Ministry
Chelsea Kingston Erickson, and Rooted Ministry
Marty Machowski
Marty Machowski
Steven Estes