Mohler’s New Book Recaptures the ‘Glory of Christmas’
BRENTWOOD, TENN. — Every Christian knows the importance of Christmas, but often, we miss the wonder and the weightiness at the heart of our celebration. “Recapturing the Glory of Christmas: A 25-Day Advent Devotional” from R. Albert Mohler Jr. helps readers worship Christ more faithfully throughout the season.
Entering his fourth decade as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Mohler has written numerous books, but “Recapturing the Glory of Christmas” is his first devotional and first work dedicated solely to the birth of Jesus. Still, he sees this as a continuation of his theological writing.
“There’s nothing more gloriously theological than the truth that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” Mohler said. “I have reveled in the glory of Christmas, and I want to help Christians and Christian families recapture the glory of Christmas.”
The devotional leads readers through 25 theological truths each day of Advent, beginning on December 1 and culminating on Christmas Day. Mohler said he wrote “Recapturing the Glory of Christmas” because he loves Christmas and wanted to provide others with a way to revel in the celebration of the incarnation. “There’s a sweetness to Christmas,” he said. “It’s so natural for little children to gather around and be told the story of Christmas over and over and over again.”
Mohler hopes the book brings light to a society he feels has become dark and secularized and distorts the significance and message of Christmas. This cultural confusion is an opportunity for Christians, Mohler said. “The world gets Christmas wrong, but you know what? It can’t get past the fact that Christmas is the great announcement of something,” he said. “We know what Christmas announces. We get to tell the story of Christ who is the crucified and risen Lord, the Lord over all, who was born a baby in Bethlehem. And we get to tell the story of how to recapture the glory of Christmas. That’s what the world is missing. They’re missing the glory.”
Mohler views the season as a great opportunity for Christians. “We need to seize on it,” he said. “I think churches and Christian families should embrace Christmas and recognize that we—in our humanity—need focal points. Christmas becomes one of those focal moments. This incredible festival of the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ gives us joy and hope.”
As the devotional goes through the days of December with reflections on Scripture, Mohler weaves in classic Christmas hymns because he felt the celebration is something that must be sung. “When we start talking about Christmas, sometimes we just need to sing. One of the best ways to recapture the glory of Christmas is to sing a great Christmas hymn,” he said.
Mohler said he hopes “Recapturing the Glory of Christmas” will add depth and structure for families to the Christmas season. “The book can frame their time together as a family, as they anticipate Christmas. For 25 days, the daily devotionals will help Christian families understand what it means to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Part of that means getting them ready for Christmas and doing so to the honor of Christ.”
Additionally, Mohler wrote the devotional to be used congregationally. “I’ve had several pastors who’ve spoken to me already about how they hope to use it,” he said. “They love the fact that they are able, in just a matter of days with their people, to walk through the great theological, biblical, incarnational glory of Christmas and the coming of Christ.”
For every reader, Mohler said he hopes the work is an encouragement undergirded with truth. “That’s the great thing about Christmas,” he said. “We have the greatest truth we could possibly tell. So, let’s tell it.”
For more information on “Recapturing the Glory of Christmas,” visit Lifeway.com.
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Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Widely sought as a columnist and commentator, Dr. Mohler has been quoted in the nation’s leading newspapers, including The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Dallas Morning News. He has also appeared on such national news programs as CNN’s “Larry King Live” and “AC360,” NBC’s “Today Show” and “Dateline NBC,” and ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Dr. Mohler also hosts two podcasts: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He serves as the editor of WORLD Opinions, writing regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by the Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview. He is married to Mary, and they have two children, Katie and Christopher. Dr. and Mrs. Mohler are the proud grandparents to Benjamin, Henry, and Margaret, all born to Katie and her husband Riley.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Alexander, whitney.alexander@lifeway.com
Written by Aaron Earls, a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources
