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In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, we sit down with Byron Borger, owner of Hearts & Minds Bookstore, for a rich conversation about Advent—the season of waiting, longing, and hope. Byron shares personal stories, spiritual insights, and a curated list of Advent resources, from devotionals and theological reflections to family-friendly reads. Whether you’re seeking depth, beauty, or practical guidance for the season, this episode is a treasure trove of inspiration.
Highlights:
Books Mentioned:
· Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ – Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans, 2018)
· The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope – Kelly Nikondeha (Broadleaf Books, 2022)
· Hints of Hope: Essays on Living Proximately – Steven Garber (Pericles Press, 2024)
· Advent (The Liturgical Year Series) – Tish Harrison Warren (InterVarsity Press, 2022)
· Christmas: The Season of Light and Life (The Liturgical Year Series) – Emily Hunter McGowin (InterVarsity Press, 2022)
· Epiphany: Season of Glory (The Liturgical Year Series) – Fleming Rutledge (InterVarsity Press, 2023)
· The Art of Living in Advent: 28 Days of Joyful Waiting – Sylvie Van Hooser (Paraclete Press, 2024)
· Advent Is the Story: Seeing the Nativity Throughout Scripture – Daniel Spanjer (Square Halo Books, 2022)
· With Heart and Soul and Voice: Advent Devotions on the First Christmas Songs – Tim Chester (The Good Book Company, 2024)
· A Book of Days: Christmas Reflections from the Northwest – Steve Moore & Contributors (Murdoch Trust, 2024)
· Praying with Saint Nicholas: A Christmas Devotional – Matt Mikalatos (Tyndale House, 2024)
· Waiting for Jesus: An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal – Rich Villodas (WaterBrook, 2024)
· The Star Still Beckons: Gifts of Presence at Advent and Christmas – Leonard Sweet (Salish Sea Press, 2024)
· Unhappy Holidays: Advent Devotional Blessings for a Blue Christmas – Sherri Lee Gerber (Herald Press, 2024)
· All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings – Gayle Boss; Illustrations by David G. Klein (Paraclete Press, 2016; Gift Edition 2021)
· All Creation Waits: Children’s Edition – Gayle Boss (Paraclete Press, 2022)
· The Biggest Story: Advent Devotional – Kevin DeYoung; Illustrations by Don Clark (Crossway, 2023)
· The One We’re Waiting For: An Illustrated Advent Devotional for Families – Taylor Combs (B&H Publishing Group, 2023)
· Incarnation: A Bible Study on the Coming of Christ – Derek Vreeland (Word of Life Resources, 2024)
Other Resources:
Link to a downloadable PDF = https://storage2.snappages.site/6X3R8B/assets/files/2025-AdventChristmas-Resources.pdf
By Upper House5
1313 ratings
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, we sit down with Byron Borger, owner of Hearts & Minds Bookstore, for a rich conversation about Advent—the season of waiting, longing, and hope. Byron shares personal stories, spiritual insights, and a curated list of Advent resources, from devotionals and theological reflections to family-friendly reads. Whether you’re seeking depth, beauty, or practical guidance for the season, this episode is a treasure trove of inspiration.
Highlights:
Books Mentioned:
· Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ – Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans, 2018)
· The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope – Kelly Nikondeha (Broadleaf Books, 2022)
· Hints of Hope: Essays on Living Proximately – Steven Garber (Pericles Press, 2024)
· Advent (The Liturgical Year Series) – Tish Harrison Warren (InterVarsity Press, 2022)
· Christmas: The Season of Light and Life (The Liturgical Year Series) – Emily Hunter McGowin (InterVarsity Press, 2022)
· Epiphany: Season of Glory (The Liturgical Year Series) – Fleming Rutledge (InterVarsity Press, 2023)
· The Art of Living in Advent: 28 Days of Joyful Waiting – Sylvie Van Hooser (Paraclete Press, 2024)
· Advent Is the Story: Seeing the Nativity Throughout Scripture – Daniel Spanjer (Square Halo Books, 2022)
· With Heart and Soul and Voice: Advent Devotions on the First Christmas Songs – Tim Chester (The Good Book Company, 2024)
· A Book of Days: Christmas Reflections from the Northwest – Steve Moore & Contributors (Murdoch Trust, 2024)
· Praying with Saint Nicholas: A Christmas Devotional – Matt Mikalatos (Tyndale House, 2024)
· Waiting for Jesus: An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal – Rich Villodas (WaterBrook, 2024)
· The Star Still Beckons: Gifts of Presence at Advent and Christmas – Leonard Sweet (Salish Sea Press, 2024)
· Unhappy Holidays: Advent Devotional Blessings for a Blue Christmas – Sherri Lee Gerber (Herald Press, 2024)
· All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings – Gayle Boss; Illustrations by David G. Klein (Paraclete Press, 2016; Gift Edition 2021)
· All Creation Waits: Children’s Edition – Gayle Boss (Paraclete Press, 2022)
· The Biggest Story: Advent Devotional – Kevin DeYoung; Illustrations by Don Clark (Crossway, 2023)
· The One We’re Waiting For: An Illustrated Advent Devotional for Families – Taylor Combs (B&H Publishing Group, 2023)
· Incarnation: A Bible Study on the Coming of Christ – Derek Vreeland (Word of Life Resources, 2024)
Other Resources:
Link to a downloadable PDF = https://storage2.snappages.site/6X3R8B/assets/files/2025-AdventChristmas-Resources.pdf

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