Dr. Reed Lessing, Professor of Theology & Ministry and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies on the campus of Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota joins the Next Step Podcast to talk about Chapter 4: Comfort, Comfort Ye My People of the book Light in the Darkness: A Hymn Journal for Advent & Christmas.
Pastor, professor, and author, Reed has written scholarly commentaries on Jonah, Amos, Zechariah, and two-volume work on Isaiah, as well as various devotions and other resources. His latest book from Concordia Publishing House is a cross between a commentary and a personal devotion called Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Studies in the Book of Jeremiah.
After a brief introduction and an opening prayer, you'll hear Dr. Lessing read from Isaiah 40 (on page 37 of the hymn journal). The discussion that ensues will take us from Isaiah to Exodus, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and several Pauline epistles. (That's how conversations with Reed Lessing usually go ...)
Before we are done, Justin will read the devotion "Make the Rougher Places Plain" on page 38 and we'll hear the Brooke and Brendan arrangement of this chapter's featured hymn.
In closing, Reed and Justin will talk about possible Advent next steps in their own lives. Perhaps the Faith Experiment on pages 40-41 would be one way for you to take a next step as you prepare for Christmas.
Reed mentions the hymn "Joy to the World" as part of the conversation. If you would like to hear more about that hymn, check out this episode of the Next Step Podcast: Joy to the World.
Dr. Lessing also joined the Next Step Podcast for a discussion of hymn 3 in Ponder Anew: A Hymn Journal of Trust and Confidence. You can check out that episode here: Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
This podcast is designed especially to go with the Light in the Darkness Facebook learning community sponsored by Next Step Press. Join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/AdventHymnJournal.
This episode of the Next Step Podcast was supported in part by the generosity of Next Step Patrons. Please consider becoming a Next Step Patron before the end 2021. To see different options for support, including monthly and annual options, visit https://www.patreon.com/findmynextstep, or email justin@findmynextstep.org to make a one-time gift.
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The music included in the podcast was written and performed by Brooke and Brendan. All rights reserved. The A Light in the Darkness CD from Brooke and Brendan is now available on your favorite streaming services as well as on YouTube.