Waiting, Longing, Rejoicing, and Beholding with Rich Villodas- Episode 1020

That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

Annie F. Downs

Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.9 • 10.2K Ratings

🗓️ 1 December 2025

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

I am SO EXCITED to talk to Pastor Rich Villodas about Advent and the Christian calendar. Advent officially started yesterday and Rich is helping us better understand why the Christian calendar even matters and what Advent means to our relationship with God. We’re going to talk about what it looks like to wait well (which I don’t like to do!), and we unpack the reality of living in the middle of both pain and rejoicing. Advent is all of it, right? If you’re looking for a study to go through this Advent, it’s not too late to start one. You can grab it today and jump right in. Our Stay Tuned series is available to download now at shopanniefdowns.com AND you’re going to love hearing about Rich’s Advent devotional, Waiting for Jesus, today. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, We’re on page 127. As always, the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons. Find the show notes here . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guest If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love: Advent Makes Space for our Grief, but Christmas Makes Space for our Joy with Lanier Ivester- Episode 943 Episode 500: She Reads Truth + Advent . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: My friends get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Our Place: Our Place is having their biggest sale of the year right now! Save up to 35% site-wide through December 2nd. Shop the Our Place Black Friday Sale right now, no code needed at ourplace.com. Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/TSF for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. AG1: If you go to drinkag1.com/soundsfun you’ll get the welcome kit, a Morning Person hat, a bottle of Vitamin D3+K2, an AG1 Flavor Sampler, and you’ll get to try their new sleep supplement AGZ for free! WayFair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun⁠. Capstone Wellness: Learn more at ⁠capstonewellness.com/thatsoundsfun⁠. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 27% off sitewide. Wonder Project: Start your free trial and make sure to choose the annual subscription at watch.thewonderproject.com/thatsoundsfun. When you pick the annual plan, you save money and directly support their mission to bring more of these stories to the world. NIV Application Bible: If you’re looking for a new Bible or know someone you’d like to gift a Bible to, I highly recommend the ⁠NIV Application Bible⁠! Antique Candle Co: Use code “thatsoundsfun” to get a free Gift Set on any order of $40 or more through Dec 15 at ⁠antiquecandleco.com⁠. Mercy Ships: Please donate today at ⁠MercyShips.org/podcast⁠ Omaha Steaks: Visit ⁠OmahaSteaks.com⁠ for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, usepromo code FUN at checkout. NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey!
0:01.0	Hi!
0:02.0	That sounds fun!
0:06.0	That sounds fun!
0:09.0	That sounds fun!
0:12.0	Hi, friends, welcome to another episode of That Sounds Fun, the Seasons.
0:16.0	I'm your host, Annie F. Downs.
0:18.0	I'm so happy to be with you here on the second day of Advent.
0:22.1	Today on the show, we're answering the question, how does the Christian calendar help me experience the seasons?
0:28.0	Y'all already know I love this episode. And listen, if Advent is new to you, we're going to give you every bit of information you need to know you're going to love this.
0:36.7	But before we dive in, I want to tell you about onevart, incredible partners. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. The holidays are a time of traditions. Maybe you're carrying on ones from your childhood, or maybe you're starting your own, like perfecting a new hot chocolate recipe or doing a little family bake-off. That's what we do. Therapy might not be at the top of your list of
0:54.8	traditions, but what if you take time for yourself during what can be a very joyful but
0:58.9	hectic and maybe lonely time of year? Maybe it will be your new tradition. So consider trying
1:04.4	BetterHelp online therapy this month as a way to close the year with clarity rather than chaos.
1:10.3	You can attend your therapy sessions
1:11.8	right from home, so it's super convenient to get started with over 30,000 therapists. BetterHelp is one
1:17.5	of the world's largest online therapy platforms, having served over 5 million people globally,
1:22.8	and you can switch therapists any time, so you make sure and find the right match for you.
1:27.2	This December, start a new tradition by taking care of you. My friends can get 10% off at
1:33.0	BetterHelp.com slash, that sounds fun. That's BetterHelp, help.com slash that sounds fun.
1:40.7	Today on the show, I get to talk with my friend Pastor Rich Viotis. You may remember Pastor Rich from episode 903.
1:47.5	He's the pastor of New Life Fellowship in New York City.
	...

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