Lively Hope
Advent is the four-week season that prepares the church to celebrate Christmas by remembering Jesus’ coming to earth.
But the story of Advent really stretches all the way back to Creation and all the way forward to the new heaven and new earth.
Woven together, the Bible’s stories show God’s desire to be with His people through history—and lead us all to our lively hope.
"A Lively Hope is a story for Advent told from a high vantage point, providing a view for readers that includes more than looking back to Old Testament prophesies about Messiah: it takes us right back to the seed of hope planted by a rescuing God in the hearts of his heart-broken children in the Garden. A Lively Hope also looks forward, beyond the great mystery of the Incarnation to Christ's return and our final restoration in the New Creation. Asp offers the scope of God's Story with her own lively hope shining through, providing a thread that not only connects the pieces, but inspires with energy and grace a forward-looking hope for people on the other side of the Incarnation and the Cross. Melody Villars' beautiful illustrations "paint a thousand words" on every page."
—Liz Stewart, Children's Pastor at Church of the Cross
"Many children's books about Jesus tell a relatively happy story with an even happier ending. A Lively Hope: An Advent Story stands apart from those. In this book, families are invited into a rich and textured version of the Gospel narrative that creates in young and old alike a deep longing for the presence of Jesus, our lively hope and loving King. Author Jen Asp writes as a storyteller with little ones in mind, helping them know and recognize our "broken peace" and very real need for God to make the world right again. By making space for real brokenness in her telling of the Gospel, the space for true joy, gratitude and jubilation is made all the more grand as we approach the celebration of Christ's first coming at Christmas, and look forward to his second coming when he will restore all things to God. I highly recommend walking through the season of Advent with the guidance of this lovely, lively book."
— Andene O'Neil Pastor of Worship Arts at Church of the Cross
"Lively Hope offers a fresh retelling of the Advent story, revealing how from Genesis to Revelation it is woven together around the theme of Hope. With vivid imagery and lively metaphor, Jennifer Asp captures the minds and hearts of her readers, helping them to see their own place in the biblical narrative as they “look out, look up, and look ahead” to notice God’s plan still being revealed in the world around them. Asp’s compelling prose are brought to life with lovely four-color illustrations by Melody Villars in this book that is sure to become a Christmas classic."
— Phyllis Alsdurf, Author of It's Milking Time
"Most Christmas books start and end with the birth of Jesus, but the story of redemption goes back so much further in history - and holds so much more future hope! Lively Hope tells the full story, from creation to final restoration, and follows God's tender and purposeful initiative through it all. Jennifer Asp's storytelling leads us through the four weeks of Advent remembering God's promises and looking forward with hopeful longing to their complete fulfillment. For those of us who have been waiting for a book that brings Christ's second Advent into focus, Lively Hope is a gift indeed."
—Haley Scharf, Co-founder of Aslan's Library