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:

• Why Advent is central to the biblical story
• Byron’s childhood Christmas memories and their spiritual significance
• How busyness can become holy work during the holidays
• The meaning of waiting and longing in a restless world

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:

• Byron’s Booknotes Newsletter - https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com
• Previous episodes: https://slbf.org/studio

Link to a downloadable PDF = https://storage2.snappages.site/6X3R8B/assets/files/2025-AdventChristmas-Resources.pdf