Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas

This book helps make Advent happen. While we mostly bulldoze over Advent to get to Christmas Day, this book helps slow things down and supports the preparatory season. It's a little like opening the Advent calendar windows, with a reading or poem each day. The readings allow for reflection and re-reading. I've been quoting sections of the book to many others. Most of these readings appear as short sermons on a particular topic. Whether written in 1600 or 2000, there is contemporary and, most importantly, personal application. One author quotes John Wesley: "Nothing is more repugnant to capable, reasonable people than grace." As a culture of givers rather than receivers, this book reminded me that grace came down quietly and humbly as an infant, a gift for me, for you. Eventually your tree will be up, gifts wrapped, cards sent, meals eaten. But for 15 minutes each day these readings will allow you to leave the chaos, and keep you on track, waiting to receive, and be glad of it.

Christmas has become such a materialistic, shallow holiday, full of shopping frenzies and over-stressed cranky people. I was looking for something to help me bring the meaning back into Christmas and found this small book of inspirational readings. It is a book for thinking people- for someone who wants to take a few minutes every day during Advent to reflect on the meaning of Christmas and life in general. Highly recommended for thinking folks who miss the spiritual side of the Holidays.

I have read quite a few books seeking to prepare myself during Advent for the coming of Jesus. So far this one is my favorite. The same passages speak differently to me each year. Each year new seeds are planted in my mind and my heart so my soul blossoms with new fruits that help me continue to grow.

This is a wide-reaching collection, pulling from many authors (male and female), across continents, countries, eras, and denominations. The entries are poems and essays, and focus on many different aspects of the Christmas story and the Life of Christ.My favorites were Blumhardt's Action in Waiting (Nov. 24), Britt's Yielding to God (Dec. 9), Yoder's The Original Revolution (Dec. 11), Arnold's Be Not Afraid (Dec. 15), Day's Room for Christ (Dec. 19) and Moltmann's The Disarming Child.I found this encouraging and thought-provoking. During the Holidays there is often the preasure to Experience God in some deep and meaningful way. But I rarely do. While this book didn't give me some life-altering epiphany, but I found peace in many of the messages.

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. However, I have read several of the sermons already and have found myself engrossed and enlightened. This book is not light reading. Nor is it 'feel good' everyone is happy reading. Well worth what I paid, and I have already recommended this book to several friends.There is nothing more to add really the other reviews on here really say it all so far.

This is an excellent devotional for Advent. I found it in the bookstore of the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. The noted Christian (and some secular) thinkers from across the centuries take the devotional reader beyond the surface traditions and "candles" of Advent to new places of meditation and thought centering upon the mystery and awe of the birth of Christ. As I followed the readings day by day, I was so inspired I immediately purchased (via Amazon) two more copies for friends as Christmas gifts, so that next year they might enjoy and be inspired by the journey to Bethlehem. If you are a thinker and want to hear from great minds (as well as an occasional poem or two-even a submission from the likes of Sylvia Plath!)and want to go further in your personal understanding of Advent and the mysteries and truth of God's greatest act of love, I would highly recommend this devotional to you.

A new take on advent from so many great writers and philosophers. Used copy is in great condition except sticky spot where piece sticker was removed.

I read through "Watch for the Light" this Christmas season, and it was absolutely awe-inspiring. I loved the various scholarly voices who spoke into so many aspects of the miracle of Christmas. And it was such a nice surprise that the book spans through Epiphany as well. It absolutely added a depth of meaning, inspiration, and contemplation that more richly prepared our family's heart for celebrating the birth of Christ. I strongly recommend it--I'm definitely going through it again next year, and I'll be buying a few as gifts to hand out after Thanksgiving, too!

A most impressive and literary compilation. Bought as a present for a churchwarden friend and much appreciated.

Arrived in time for the advent season. My husband and I are enjoying the variations in length and style of writing. A gift that is precious to me.

Book is as described, arrived very quickly. Hardcover in excellent condition . Thank you!

Good value, captures Advent perfectly

Very interesting