God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas [Paperback]

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 30, 2010

"There are only two places where the powerful and great in this world lose their courage, tremble in the depths of their souls, and become truly afraid. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ."

"No priest, no theologian stood at the cradle of Bethlehem. And yet, all Christian theology finds its beginnings in the miracle of miracles, that God became human."

These stirring words are among forty devotions that guide and inspire readers as they move thematically through the weeks of Advent and Christmas, from waiting and mystery to redemption, incarnation, and joy. Supplemented by an informative introduction, short excerpts from Bonhoeffer's letters, and passages from his Christmas sermons, these daily devotions are timeless and moving reminders of the true gift of Christmas.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"These Advent and Christmas reflections of Bonhoeffer flew from his prison cell, flung open the doors of hope, and sailed heavenward as heart-wrenching prayers, prayers from a condemned man, prayers from a hopeful man, prayers from a man who embodied what it means to pray 'May your kingdom come.' This will be my Advent and Christmas book." Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies, North Park University, and author of The Jesus Creed and The Blue Parakeet --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-45) was a Christian minister, seminary professor, and theologian who became one of the leading voices of opposition against Nazism during World War II. He was a founding member of Germany's Confessing Church and was executed for participating in a plot to assassinate Hitler. His theological views have become highly influential in the years since his death.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (August 30, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664234291
• ISBN-13: 978-0664234294
• Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 4.6 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Holidays > Christmas

More About the Author

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born in Breslau in 1906. The son of a famous German psychiatrist, he studied in Berlin and New York City. He left the safety of America to return to Germany and continue his public repudiation of the Naz*s, which led to his arrest in 1943. Linked to the group of conspirators whose attempted assassination of Hitlerr failed, he was hanged in April 1945.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Advent and Christmas Devotional January 24, 2011

By Jagette

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

GOD IS IN THE MANGER: REFLECTIONS ON ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS by DIETRICH BONHOEFFER

I realize this is January but I wanted to let you know about a book I read during Advent and Christmas. I have been looking for a good Advent book for a long time and I have found it.

This little book is divided into 5 parts:
* Advent Week One--Waiting
* Advent Week Two-- Mystery
* Advent Week Three--Redemption
* Advent Week Four-- Incarnation
* The Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany

Reading devotional literature by Dietrich Bonhoeffer can be challenging. But God is in the Manger opens up the gospel and will take you to the heart of the Christmas story.

Most of these devotions are taken from writings during the time Bonhoeffer was being held in a Nazi prison cell. Also included with each day's reading are short excerpt from Bonhoeffer's letters and passages from his Christmas sermons.

I plan to read this again before Advent 2011. We need to be reminded about the real reason for Christmas--Christ.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for your library to read and reference over and over. December 18, 2011

By Burgandy Ice

Format:Paperback

This is not your average Christmas devotional. This book does not bounce through the events leading up to and following the birth of Jesus like I expected from a book subtitled "Reflections on advent and Christmas".

For one, the writing is heavy, deep, originally written in the 1940's in German by someone who stood up against Hitler's control of Germany at the time. Some of the insights in this book come from the writer's experience in prison, where he was hanged at 39 years of age, less than three weeks before Hitler committed suicide.

There are 40 devotionals altogether, 4 weeks preceding Christmas day and 12 days after. Each week has a theme, each day a short excerpt from a sermon, a snippet of a letter (like to his fiance), & related Scripture. I found the layout very easy to use.

The content is remarkable. The first week is about "Waiting", for example. "For the greatest, most profound, tenderest things in the world, we must wait. It happens not here in a storm but according to the divine laws of sprouting, growing, and becoming."

Other themes are Mystery, Redemption & Incarnation. Altogether these devotionals expand the expectation and celebration of the Advent and Christmas.

Did I agree with everything Bonhoeffer said? No, actually. But even where I disagreed, I was provoked to thought about why and how. His opinions are strong coming from his hard experience, but the small, devotional doses are just right. It's not a book full of ideas to swallow hole, it's a book to enter with your brain turned on (as I say to my kids) to examine what the Bible says, what you believe, and a readiness to celebrate Jesus as never before.

My Rating: 4.5 - Good book for your library, to read & reference over and over.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Challenging and worth it... December 24, 2011

By NC

Format:Paperback

This is a challenging devotional. Take the time to let the words sink in. You will find gratitude for your own situation in these readings regardless of what it might be. Bonhoeffer is a truly remarkable man. I wish that there were more like him in this world.