Janet Denison talks with Dr. Mark Turman about her Advent devotional series, The Songs Tell the Story, why she wrote it, and shares her favorite hymn and how to make Christmas about Jesus. 

 

Show notes: 

 

Janet Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Janet Denison’s book, The Songs Tell the Story (along with the kid’s version), a Christmas devotional that explores the meaning and origin of our favorite holiday songs. They talk about how Janet wrote the devotional study and the history of Advent (1:02). Janet especially loves O Holy Night, and was surprised to discover its origins (6:10). They discuss why hymns were so important in history for the layperson to understand theology, and their own most profound experiences with hymns (14:42). They give insiders perspective on Christmas in the lives of ministers (20:58). They close by talking about how to use The Songs Tell the Story, and how to make the busy season focused on Jesus (28:47). 

  Resources and further reading:

 

• Foundations with Janet - brand of Denison Ministries
• The Songs Tell the Story - Janet Denison
• The Songs Tell the Story (kid edition) - Janet Denison
• Content to Be Good, Called to Be Godly - Janet Denison

 

About the hosts 

 

Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. 

 

About the guest 

 

Janet Denison teaches others to live an authentic faith through her writing, speaking, and teaching ministry. She blogs weekly at FoundationsWithJanet.org and leads virtual and in-person Bible studies. She is also the author of The Songs Tell the Story and Content to Be Good, Called to Be Godly, among other books. Janet and her husband, Dr. Jim Denison, live in Dallas, Texas. When they’re not writing or ministering to others, they enjoy spending time with their grown children and their four still-growing grandchildren.