In Preparing for Jesus, best-selling author and master storyteller Walter Wangerin Jr. recreates verbal images of the events surrounding the Advent of Christ, offering a devotional journey into the heart of the Christmas season. Through rich detail and vivid images, these moving meditations make Christ's birth both intimate and immediate, allowing us to see Christmas from its original happening to its perennial recurrence in our hearts. Preparing for Jesus is sure to be a seasonal classic, treasured year after year.
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From the Publisher
Readers love Walter Wangerin for his wonderful way of rendering biblical truths in completely new and novel ways, making those truths come alive in emotions, stories, and images. In Making Ready, Wangerin contemplates the miracle of Advent, Christmas, and God's kingdom, and once again illuminates, in richly personal detail, what those who were actually there must have seen, heard, and felt. As he considers the possibilities of each key figure-- Zechariah, Mary, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Joseph, Jesus, Simeon, and Anna--he applies their reflections to our own readiness for Christ's coming. Advent means the approach or the arrival, and through the 39 days of this season, from December 1 to Epiphany, January 6, Wangerin meditates on the preparations of those who witnessed Jesus' incarnation--a perfect pattern, he says, for our own making ready. From the first inkling of Jesus' expected arrival to Mary's birth pains and finally to the wise Kings bearing gifts, Wangerin presents a vision of Christmas, not as a once-a-year event but as an ongoing happening in people's lives. Instead of focusing on how far modern culture has strayed from the original meaning of Christmas, Wangerin concentrates on how powerful, beautiful, and life-changing this season can be for believers. Following the example of those who, in the light of the first advent, examined and repaired their lives, Christians today can in a similar way prepare for the coming of the Lord in glory.
From the Author
Walter Wangerin Jr. first came to prominence as the award-winning author of The Book of the Dun Cow. He has since won many other awards and honors for his books, including the best-selling Book of God. Wangerin holds the Jochum Chair at Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he is writer-in-residence
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I enjoyed using this little book during this past Advent and Christmas. Walter Wangerin Jr. has used his wonderful gift writing to give us a series of daily meditations that are a great help in focusing the mind, heart and imagination of the reader on the deepest significance of Christmas. We follow the events of the first Christmas from with scripture accompanied by short writings, poetry and prayer. Wangerin's writing varies between dramatization, exposition and application of the Christmas story to our lives. If you relax and let the author and the Holy Spirit have their way, the book will help you break through the confusion and frenzied cultural activity that often accompany Advent and touch the deeper meaning of the season. It doesn't drop you after Christmas Day but carries you through the 12 days of Christmas, gently releasing you at the beginning of Epiphany. It will leave you feeling like you've been there: at the Manger and help you go and live out the significance of Christ's coming to us in your own life.
I highly recommend this book, I thought it was even more effective than Wangerin's similar--and also very good--book for Lent and Easter, "Reliving the Passion".
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Charlie B
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book contains a few pages of Scripture-based meditation for each of the 25 days before Christmas ("Advent") plus similar meditations for each of the traditional "12 Days of Christmas" after Christmas. You will learn more than you expected, and it will be relevant to the true meaning of Christmas. The book is small, and somehow bridges scholarly research and deep thought with relatively easy reading. Easily scaled down for family reading, it's an exceptional idea for a lasting family Christmas tradition. Highly recommended.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By David Von
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a great book. If you read Wangerin's Easter book (Reliving the Passion) it is very similar in style and process. Suggested that you read a chapter daily during Advent. The chapters are SHORT and even I could muster the self discipline to read one a day, easily done during a cup of coffee in the morning or tv commercial in the evening. Be careful if you read this book. By the time Christmas comes you'll be so pumped about the birth of Jesus that every other gift you receive or give will seem like a disappointment. Excellent.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughtful, artistic, devotional
Some may not like way this devotional goes back and forth between devotional thoughts and story. But I think it's what sets this devotional apart from other advent devotionals. Read more
Published 2 months ago by BDC
5.0 out of 5 stars
A favorite author
Wangerin's writing is educational and entertaining all at the same time. I'd read anything he writes on any subject. Highly recommend.
Published 2 months ago by Linda C SMITH
5.0 out of 5 stars
Advent book
I bought this book for my friend who is co-teaching CCD with me. I had already read "Paul" by Walt Wangerin and was so impressed that I figured he'd write meaningful... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Julie A
5.0 out of 5 stars
Daily Devotions
What a wonderful way to get ready for Christmas. Pick up your tablet and read a devotional each day of Advent. Much better than Advent calendar.
Published 4 months ago by D. Dellinger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful meditation
This is a beautiful meditation on the advent season. This is the third year I have used it and bought 5 more to give to friends. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dorothy T. Ness
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just right!
This is a very enjoyable advent devotional. It's insightful. It's devotional are full and satisfying, but not too long. It has the wonderful touches of Walter Wangerin. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Alan Rathbun
5.0 out of 5 stars
Making your Advent season meaningful
Once again Lutheran Pastor and Professor Walter Wangerin has given us a wonderful book of meditations to begin the Advent season each December 1. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Flonight
5.0 out of 5 stars
Preparing for Jesus
Preparing for Jesus by Walter Wangerin Jr. is an Advent devotional that takes us up to Christmas and the 12 days after. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Carol Munk
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book
I liked the way Wangerin used different perspectives in his meditations on the coming of Christ. The dialogues between the key characters added a personal touch that was easy to... Read more
Published 16 months ago by M. Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent devotional book
Wangerin is very knowledgeable and tells wonderful stories when appropriate so I don't want to miss a day of reading.
Published 17 months ago by Janet S.
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