Awaiting the Manger: Whispers of Advent in the Old Testament

by Ocieanna Fleiss

Discover Jesus in the Old Testament

Celebrate the hope of Christmas as you witness how God has written the promise of Immanuel, “God with us,” into human history! Awaiting the Manger journeys with you through the Advent season, illuminating how God used the lives of ordinary people to foreshadow Christ’s coming during the centuries and even millennia before his birth.

Through daily readings, you’ll dive into Old Testament stories brought to life with vibrant cultural and historical insights. You’ll explore each account first through the perspective of those who lived it, and then by uncovering how it fits into the sweeping arc of our redemption. Each reading is followed by a devotional prompt, including a Awaiting the Manger will enrich your experience of Advent and your understanding of the Old Testament as you rejoice in the tenderness and compassion God has shown his people from the very beginning.

Genres: Christmas, Faith, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian, Holiday

176 pages, Hardcover

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Valerie Hash · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautifully written

[Megan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun devotional walking through spots in the Old Testament where you can see hints of Jesus. I think this would be a great to read as an adult, a teen, or a family with kids as you’re getting ready to celebrate Christmas!

[Jason Parke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great devotional with 25 topics within the Bible's Old Testament that focus on Advent, discovering Jesus Christ's prophecy of his birth fulfilled. It doesn't only have to be read during the Advent season, however.

Readers will discover that each biblical topic is surrounded by at least one verse. Topics centre around characters that are either in the genealogy of Jesus or provide object lessons having to do with Advent. They are expanded by the author as if to tell a modern story, all the while focusing on the biblical text and how it relates to the coming of Jesus the Messiah. A specific quote, a practice for the reader to apply, a reflection, a prayer, another Scripture reference, and Christmas hymn conclude each devotional.

References conclude the book. A good read for group or personal study!

[Katherine Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's lifelong love for finding Christ in the pages of Scripture gracefully unfolds in this lovely little tome. Readers' own season of awaiting the manger will become the richer for allowing Fleiss to walk them through the many surprising ways Christ’s coming was foreshadowed in the ancient pages of God's Word. I predict that reading and rereading Awaiting the Manger from year to year will become a new treasured tradition for many a believer.
With thanks to Harvest House for giving me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.

[Babs Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best advent book, first me, to date! There is so much to live about this book. I’ve never experienced the miracle of Jesus’ birth as simply displayed from this book. I’m going to keep rereading it so these stories can be written on my heart. The ‘practice’, hymns, further reading, prayer at the end of each lesson is priceless! There is so much in each day, or as little in each day, the choice is up to the reader. I received it as a gift and have already gifted it to others. Probably my favorite read in 2024.

[Rachael Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read for the Season

I would really read this again next Christmas. Wonderfully done! December 24th writing specifically touched me. Such a great look at the whispers of Advent in the old testament.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this advent book! It did a great job of bringing various Old Testament stories to life, providing further reading in the Bible, and even having a Christmas hymn to sing for each day. It is a great one to do as a family!

[Chelsea Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this book during Advent! I loved the connections between Old Testament stories and the birth and life of Jesus! If you’re looking for an Advent devotional, this is a great option!

[Megan Kortze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this advent read. It was a great way to start off every morning in anticipation of Christmas. It was difficult this year to not get swept up into the busy-ness of it all, but this helped a lot.

[Paulette Kneip Mullins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made it to day 12. Maybe will finish at a later time

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I appreciated the different stories from the Bible, some I didn't even really remember, but overall it was just okay.

[Mark Mckim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to add to your advent reading.

[Donna Peake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written for the season.

[Nancy Houlihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

good for all ages

Excellent Advent resource. Used it as the basis of a Bible study at my church in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Appropriate for family, individual or group study. Strong in stories about the women who prepared the way. This is a keeper.