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In this solo episode, Dr. Mapson guides us into one of the most overlooked yet essential seasons in the life of the church — the season of Advent. While our culture rushes toward Christmas with shopping, noise, and trillion-dollar spending, Advent quietly calls us to memory, reflection, and the Incarnation itself.
Drawing from Scripture, church history, and decades of preaching, Dr. Mapson explores why Advent matters and why the church must reclaim it. He walks through the biblical rhythms, theological depth, and spiritual discipline that make this season more than a countdown to December twenty-five.
From Jewish feast days and collective memory, to secularism and commercialism, to genealogies, angels, tensions in the birth narratives, and preaching possibilities across the Gospels — this episode offers a rich journey through the texts and symbols we often know too well and rarely examine afresh.
Dr. Mapson unpacks:
• Why Advent reveals God’s activity throughout the year
• How the Gospel offers an alternative to cultural Christmas
• The Incarnation as the center of Christian faith
• Preaching values in Matthew and Luke’s birth narratives
• The symbolism of genealogies, dreams, angels, shepherds, and wise men
• Biblical tensions resolved only by divine intervention
• The role of Advent preaching series in shaping congregational life
• Old Testament connections, carols, and songs of the season
• What happens after the angels leave — and how believers respond
This episode invites the church to slow down, look again, and rediscover the gift God gives in this season — a gift that changes how we live, serve, and enter a new year.
Thanks for tuning in to The Ministry Exchange with Dr. Mapson
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This episode is proudly sponsored by Terry Funeral Home Inc.
For over 85 years, Terry Funeral Home has walked with families through life’s most sacred moments, offering care, dignity, and excellence when it matters most. Learn more at terryfuneralhome.com.
This episode is also supported by our Silver Partner, Palmer Theological Seminary.
Whole Gospel. Whole World. Whole Persons. Palmer equips leaders for transformative, justice-centered ministry through theological depth and holistic formation. Learn more at palmerseminary.edu.
Chapters
1. Welcome And Why Advent Matters (00:00:00)
2. Sponsor: Palmer Theological Seminary (00:01:36)
3. Sacred Seasons Versus Secular Calendars (00:02:38)
4. Memory And The Old Testament Feasts (00:04:18)
5. Countering Commercial Christmas With Gospel (00:05:27)
6. Reimagining Giving And Alternative Practices (00:07:53)
7. Preaching Opportunities Unique To Advent (00:10:23)
8. Incarnation At The Center (00:12:15)
9. Symbols: Wreaths And Candles Of Advent (00:13:48)
10. What Preachers And People Need To Hear (00:15:18)
11. Nativity Sources: Matthew And Luke (00:17:23)
12. Separating Sacred Narrative From Culture (00:19:17)
13. Genealogies And Generational Faithfulness (00:20:57)
14. Imperfect Families In God’s Story (00:23:08)
15. Women In The Genealogy And Belonging (00:25:10)
16. God Breaks Silence: John The Baptist (00:26:31)
17. Wise Men, Shepherds, And Gentile Welcome (00:27:59)
18. Zechariah’s Doubt And Holy Fear (00:29:59)
19. Tensions In The Birth Narratives (00:31:30)
20. Herod’s Threat And God’s Protection (00:34:05)
21. Egypt As Refuge And Symbol (00:36:06)
22. Sponsor: Cherry Funeral Home (00:36:39)
23. Accepted By Outsiders, Rejected By Power (00:37:08)
24. Seeing Ourselves In Biblical Characters (00:38:16)
25. Designing An Advent Sermon Series (00:39:31)
26. Reading Jesus With The Old Testament (00:41:18)
27. Titles Of The Messiah In Isaiah (00:42:43)
28. The Suffering Servant And Wounded Healers (00:44:03)
29. Fulfillment Passages In Matthew (00:46:02)
30. Advent Questions: Who, Why, Where, How (00:47:15)
31. Songs Of Advent In Luke (00:48:18)
32. Preaching From Christmas Carols (00:49:25)
33. Another Look At The Innkeeper And Joseph (00:51:05)
34. Dreams And Joseph’s Obedience (00:53:05)
35. Mary’s Response Versus Zechariah’s (00:54:25)
36. After Angels Leave: Human Responses (00:56:01)
37. Mary And Elizabeth As A Model (00:57:25)
38. Beyond The Narratives: Key Advent Texts (00:58:40)
39. Love Spelled GIVE: John 3:16 (01:00:20)
40. Closing Blessing And Invitation (01:01:50)
15 episodes
