There's plenty out there on the 'real' meaning of Christmas; this volume steps back further to examine more vital questions: What does it mean that God took on human form? That Mary believed? That Christ came down to earth, and will one day come again? Whether dipped into at leisure or used for formal daily devotions, this unparalleled collection gives the phrase 'Christmas preparations' new depth and meaning. Includes writing from Kathleen Norris, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Annie Dillard, John Donne, Meister Eckhart, Dorothy Day, T. S. Eliot, Gustavo Gutierrez, Eberhard Arnold, G. M. Hopkins, C. S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, Martin Luther, Henri Nouwen, Edith Stein, Thomas Aquinas, Dorotee Soelle, Philip Yancey, and others.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
It's hard to go wrong with 40 essays and poems from theological writers such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dorothy Day, Madeleine L'Engle, Martin Luther, Kathleen Norris, Henri Nouwen, Philip Yancey, Karl Barth and Síren Kierkegaard. These are not frivolous, feel-good Advent readings; they are deep, sometimes jarring reflections, many with a strong orientation toward social justice (other authors include liberationists Leonardo Boff, Gustavo Guti‚rrez and Oscar Romero). "The love that descended to Bethlehem is not the easy sympathy of an avuncular God, but a burning fire whose light chases away every shadow, floods every corner, and turns midnight into noon," explain the editors. This collection, born of obvious passion and graced with superb writing, is a welcome even necessary addition to the glutted holiday bookshelves.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
100 of 100 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This eclectic collection of longer-than-usual daily readings for Advent through the Feast of the Epiphany succeeds in helping its readers more deeply appreciate the Christmas season.
The selections are recent and ancient, ecumenical and even secular, with excerpts from Bernard of Clairvaux, Martin Luther, T.S. Eliot, Thomas Merton, and Anne Dillard, to name a few. In various essays, for example, Dietrich Bonhoeffer explores the existential meaning of Advent, Kathleen Norris contemplates what the Annunciation reveals about spiritual virginity, and John Howard Yoder considers the Incarnation as a kind of revolution.
Don't expect a string of Hallmark sentiments, however. The overall tone of the book is rather hard-edged, emphasizing the poverty, paradoxes, and perplexities of the Nativity. Like a clear winter night, it's spiritually bracing stuff, biting and full of mystery.
The selections are recent and ancient, ecumenical and even secular, with excerpts from Bernard of Clairvaux, Martin Luther, T.S. Eliot, Thomas Merton, and Anne Dillard, to name a few. In various essays, for example, Dietrich Bonhoeffer explores the existential meaning of Advent, Kathleen Norris contemplates what the Annunciation reveals about spiritual virginity, and John Howard Yoder considers the Incarnation as a kind of revolution.
Don't expect a string of Hallmark sentiments, however. The overall tone of the book is rather hard-edged, emphasizing the poverty, paradoxes, and perplexities of the Nativity. Like a clear winter night, it's spiritually bracing stuff, biting and full of mystery.
76 of 76 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I will admit it.
I am not, generally, enamored with devotional guides. Their simple message often leaves me wanting.
That was not the case with this book, which I received as a gift. Perhaps it was the year. I work for a large retail chain. Two days before Thanksgiving, I found myself loathing the "Christmas Music" being played in the store to create a seasonal buying mood.
In past years Advent was a time for me to contemplate Christ's birth. This past year it turned into a time of contrasting emotions. Eager to reunite with my family, the store's frenzy left me frazzled and indifferent. I lost sight, frankly, of the reason for the season.
For that reason, this book was exactly what I needed. This anthology contained a daily essay from some of the best spiritual writers. Each daily reading gave me a fresh outlook on the true meaning of the holiday season.
I am not, generally, enamored with devotional guides. Their simple message often leaves me wanting.
That was not the case with this book, which I received as a gift. Perhaps it was the year. I work for a large retail chain. Two days before Thanksgiving, I found myself loathing the "Christmas Music" being played in the store to create a seasonal buying mood.
In past years Advent was a time for me to contemplate Christ's birth. This past year it turned into a time of contrasting emotions. Eager to reunite with my family, the store's frenzy left me frazzled and indifferent. I lost sight, frankly, of the reason for the season.
For that reason, this book was exactly what I needed. This anthology contained a daily essay from some of the best spiritual writers. Each daily reading gave me a fresh outlook on the true meaning of the holiday season.
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a great devotional book, and I am not usually one that finds devotionals set up like this very interesting. It is set up to have a reading each day during Advent, Christmas and through to Epiphany, and the readings are all written by people like C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Kathleen Norris, Annie Dillard, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, etc. This is no, "What was the innkeeper thinking" sort of advent reading book. It is thoughtful and insightful and has a lot to say that ties into the preparative nature of advent, that is the preparation for the messiah's return. The writings vary in length and type from scholarly writings to musings to poetry or introspection. The readings are meaty enough, too, that you could certainly read them this year and again next year and they'll still be good.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Watch For The Light
Some great thoughts about Christmas that will cause you to think more deaply about the significance of the birth of Christ.
Published 4 months ago by Dave R
Amazingly UN-inspiring
With names like C.S. Lewis, Philip Yancey, Madeleine L'Engle and Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the cover, I expected, at the least, that the book would be orthodox. Read more
Published 4 months ago by H. Owsley
A collection worth having on your shelf for years to come.
Each reading is so unique, and unexpected, and helps to shift one's attention from self, and busy preparations of Christmas to the real meaning of Christmas--God incarnate in a... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Anya L. Cobler
Excellent.
I bought this for myself. I'll be the first to admit I find some of the sermons a bit long. Yes, they really are sermons. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Methusala
Companion for the Advent Season
I discovered this book 2 years ago when trying to find a series of devotions to use during the season of Advent for a group of women. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jennifer McDaniel
A Nice Theology/Devotional Hybrid
This book was a great read for me on several levels. First, it's a great way to read excerpts from a good many theologians and authors you may have wanted to read, but hadn't... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Jason M Fallin
Great readings for Advent
My husband and I decided to bring back some of the traditions we had growing up and one of them was to celebrate Advent. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Janelle
Table of Contents
Even though reading an anthology does less justice to the authors included than reading their more extended works, anthologies serve an auxiliary purpose: they alert us to the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by J. Brugaletta
Fantastic
I am half through this book and it is revolutionizing the Advent season. The writers have spent so much time in scripture and prayer that they see Christmas as the properly huge... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Brendan
Watch For The Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
This book contains writings which are amazingly appropriate for not only the Advent season but also before and after. It is truth clearly spoken and easily understood. Read more
Published on January 22, 2010 by Elizabeth J. Kaiser
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
IT IS ADVENT AGAIN. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, Holy Spirit, New Testament, Father Mike, Jesus of Nazareth, Christ Jesus, New York, Let the Word, Son of God, King of the Jews, Christ the Lord, Luke's Gospel, Holy One, Pontius Pilate, Most High, Virgin Birth New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
IT IS ADVENT AGAIN. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, Holy Spirit, New Testament, Father Mike, Jesus of Nazareth, Christ Jesus, New York, Let the Word, Son of God, King of the Jews, Christ the Lord, Luke's Gospel, Holy One, Pontius Pilate, Most High, Virgin Birth New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 40
books:
See all 40 books this book cites
- The Original Revolution: Essays on Christian Pacifism (Christian Peace Shelf Series) by John Howard Yoder on page 119, and Back Matter
- Grand Miracle by C.S. Lewis on page 243, and page 248
- Selected Writings (Fount classics) by Gerard Manley Hopkins in Back Matter
- The Collected Poems of Thomas Merton (New Directions Paperbook) by Thomas Merton in Back Matter
- Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith by Kathleen Norris in Back Matter
See all 40 books this book cites
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