Advent marks the beginning of a new church year and season with a focus of reflecting on how the Israelites waited for their Savior mirrors how we wait for His return. During the season of Advent, there are many hymns that Lutherans love. The stories behind the hymns are just as compelling as the reasons people love them. This episode doesn’t touch on favorites such as O Come, O Come Emmanuel or Savior of the Nations Come (listeners can look forward to two separate episodes solely focusing on these two important Advent hymns), but other important advent hymns.

During this episode Peter Reske tells us the history behind Advent hymns and the themes that connect them all together. Experience the wonder, joy, waiting, and awe of Advent hymns LSB 334, 335, 339, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 350,

Questions Covered:

• What themes are covered during Advent hymns?
• How are Palm Sunday and the First Sunday in Advent similar?
• How does LSB 334 – O Lord, How Shall I Meet You point us to Palm Sunday?
• What are some strategies to listen/focus/learn from our Advent hymns?
• Which prophet does LSB 339 speak about?
• What is the unique history of LSB 343?
• What Advent hymns show the coming of Christ in Word and Sacrament?
• How do these hymns connect to John the Baptist?
• In LSB 345, who is the voice crying in the wilderness?
• How does LSB 346 connect to Isaiah 40:1-8?
• How does John the Baptist parallel Isaiah in LSB 347?
• How are several hymn-writers related?
• How do we connect the Word of the Lord to our Advent hymns?

Learn more about the Lutheran Service Book and the Lutheran Service Book Companion to the Hymns .

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About the Guest:

Peter C. Reske, senior editor of music/worship at Concordia Publishing House, holds degrees in English literature and historical musicology from Marquette University and The Pennsylvania State University. He was the editor of Lutheran Service Book and its attendant resources.

About the Host:

Elizabeth Pittman is the senior manager of public relations at Concordia Publishing House. She received degrees from Valparaiso University and the University of Missouri School of Law. It should come as no surprise that Elizabeth is passionate about sharing the love of Jesus. Her life is very busy raising three active sons with her husband.