"You will conceive and give birth to a son ...
And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by ...
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke's opening chapters are bursting with familiar phrases like these. They ring with warm solemnity and make many of us feel a Christmas glow. This book invites readers to discover depths it's easy to miss in the nativity plays and carol concerts that feature prominently in over-filled December diaries.
You will be guided through Advent in 25 daily Bible readings and prayers, at times pausing for several days to peer intently into Luke's best-known narratives. Lights sparkle in the darkness that enfolds the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year -- until they are taken down and put back in the box in January. Luke points us to Jesus, the Radiant Dawn of a day that will never end. Let these Advent reflections direct your heart's gaze towards him, the shining source of confidence and joy in whatever darkness we experience.
What others are saying about The Radiant Dawn:
"These outstanding little commentaries are a gift to the church. They come out of Tom’s love for Christ and his love for his wife, and Lucy and I have found them deeply moving." — Rico Tice, All Souls Church, Langham Place
"December can be an overwhelming season. How to find the peace and joy that Christmas is meant to be all about? Enter Tom Parsons with a devotional to guide us through 25 days over Christmas. Read. Enjoy. Worship." — Dr Josh Moody, Senior Pastor, College Church, Wheaton
"This book exists because Tom Parsons loves his wife and loves God's Word about the coming into the world of His Son, the Lord Jesus. And now, we get to enjoy these twenty-five brief but inciteful reflections in the opening of Luke's gospel on the run up to Christmas Day. Tom's writing is culturally engaged, personally applied and Biblically informed. I'd like to put a copy of 'Radiant Dawn' into the homes of everyone in our church family before December 1st, and to pass to neighbours and friends, who don't know the Lord." — Craig Dyer is the Associate Pastor of Harper Church, Glasgow, and Training Director for Christianity Explored Ministries.
"The Radiant Dawn by Tom Parsons is a gem of a read. While few of us are strangers to Luke chapters one and two, this Advent devotional encourages us to slow down and meditate on what is affectionately called the Christmas Story, but is in truth the historical record of the arrival of the Messiah. Tom manages to help us sweep aside familiarity and replace it with fresh awe and adoration, not only for the Babe in the manger, but also the Christ on the cross. The craziness of the Christmas season is put into perspective as our spiritual preparation is prioritised in these short, challenging readings. Not intended as a cozy read, The Radiant Dawn, challenges us to engage once more with the Christ of Christmas." — Catherine Campbell, speaker, and author of Broken Works Best and Journey with Me
"Fresh, inspiring, challenging, practical. Tom Parsons makes the opening chapters of Luke’s Gospel come alive in these daily bible studies for Advent. Inspiration and encouragement for every day of December as we wait for the coming of the Christ-child." — John Wyatt, author and paediatrician, London
