Despite the presence of many beautiful Advent songs in many of our hymnals, most of us would prefer to skip right to singing our favorite Christmas carols.

But in our rush to get to the joy of Christmas, we forget what Advent is all about--watching and waiting for the coming of a promised king. It is not about shopping, partying, gift wrapping, and vacationing. It is about resting, trusting, praying, and seeking.

Through the words of moving Advent hymns and the powerful words of Scripture, Songs for the Waiting will help readers reclaim a sense of the beautiful anticipation and preparation that is central to Advent.