Preparing for Jesus: Meditations on the Coming of Christ, Advent, Christmas and the Kingdom (Hardcover)

by Walter Wangerin Jr. (Author) "THE WORD ADVENT is derived from the Latin adventus, which means "the approach" or "the arrival..." (more)
Key Phrases: Holy Spirit, Most High, Lord Jesus (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In this Advent and Christmas devotional, best-selling author Walter Wangerin Jr. takes the reader day-by-day through the major events and characters leading up to the birth of Jesus. (36 meditations.)

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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 195 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310206448
• ISBN-13: 978-0310206446
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #462,780 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your were There: at the Manger ..., January 6, 2003

By	Paul M. Dubuc (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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".

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent family tradition, January 14, 2008

By	Charles H. Bonnett "Charlie" (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.