Christmas with Bonhoeffer (Bonhoeffer Gift Books) [Hardcover]

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Author), Manfred Weber (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bonhoeffer Gift Books | Publication Date: March 2005

Afour-color Christmas book, featuring short meditations on Christmas and hope, excerpted from a variety of Bonhoeffer's inspirational writings.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–45), a German pastor, was one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century and authored several books read widely in German and English. He played a critical role in the church during the Nazi period: his convictions eventually cost him his life at the hands of the Gestapo. His theology and personal witness continue to challenge Christians of all denominations.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Augsburg Books (March 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806650044
• ISBN-13: 978-0806650043
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,592,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the bleak midwinter..., October 22, 2005

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Christmas with Bonhoeffer (Bonhoeffer Gift Books) (Hardcover)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was someone who lived his faith. His theology was embodied in his action, and he paid the ultimate price of martyrdom rather than retreat to the safety of far-away places. God called him to be faithful in the midst of a troubled world, and he followed that call. Executed just before the end of World War II, he spent his time under suspicion and in prison not being sorrowful at an unjust fate, but rather ministering to others around him, keeping faith and hope alive, for them, and ultimately, for us, his future readers.

It is quite something to imagine a man in the turmoil of Nazi Germany, eventually being part of the horrible Nazi prison system, being able to write and live in a hopeful and hope-filled manner. In many ways, the Christian story recounts similar themes - the Christ child is born into a world locked in sin, and suffers an unjust fate at the hands of brutal oppressors bent on world domination. Bonhoeffer is a Christ-like figure without his even trying to be. His life and his writings provide a very inspirational element to the holiday season.

This book is a collection of excerpts from Bonhoeffer's works, including poems and sermons. Some of these include `The Manger and the Cross', `God Travels Wonderful Paths', and `Christ Has Taken on Human Form'.

This book was published in 2004 in German; this edition available in 2005 is the first English translation of the same. The book itself is a beautiful piece, with nice typesettings, interesting page-layouts, and photographs that add to the spirit of the writings and the season - pictures of the sun through snow-covered trees, other pastoral scenes show the stark winter and the bright sunshine together;

These are pieces for meditation. The excerpts are often short, poignant or otherwise meaningful, drawing the careful reader in to contemplation and prayer. This book makes a wonderful gift for oneself and for others.