A Radiant Birth: Advent Readings for a Bright Season

by Leslie Leyland Fields (Editor), Paul J. Willis (Editor)

"In Advent we prepare for the coming of all Love." ―Madeleine L'Engle "At the birth of Jesus, an event of cosmic significance by which we humans still mark our calendars, the invisible and visible worlds come together." ―Philip Yancey "Help us to realize, as those who love and believe in you that we, too, are pregnant with Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, and that day by day we are being enlarged." ―Luci Shaw The first Christmas sermon preserved in church history was preached by St. John Chrysostom in AD 386, in which he declared, "Behold a new and wonderful mystery!" In this volume, the Christian literary writers of the Chrysostom Society reflect on Advent and Christmastide as a bright and meaningful season of anticipation and glory. Through forty-two readings from the first Sunday of Advent through Epiphany, contributors prepare us in watchful waiting for the coming of Jesus. We enter slowly so that the familiar can astonish us and become wondrous once again. Jesus is born in Bethlehem. But not only there. He is also born in us, that we might bear his presence and impart his goodness to the world.

Genres: Devotional, Poetry

224 pages, Hardcover

Published September 5, 2023

About the author

When you see her, Leslie may be wearing a silk dress and fishnets or wearing Xtra-Tuff boots and mending fishing nets, depending on whether she’s at her fishcamp in the Alaska wilderness or on a speaking tour “Outside.” She’s happy in both places talking about the books, places and topics that move her most.

She's the multi-award winning author of 12 books, with her 12th forthcoming in April, 2020. (Your Story Matters) Her list includes Crossing the Waters: Following Jesus through the Storms, the Fish, the Doubt and the Seas; Forgiving Our Fathers and Mothers; The Spirit of Food: 34 Writers on Feasting and Fasting Toward God (Cascade), Surviving the Island of Grace: A Life on the Wild Edge of America (Thomas Dunne), and Parenting is Your Highest Calling . . . and Eight Other Myths That Trap Us in Worry and Guilt (Waterbrook), and five others. Her essays have won a number of awards and have appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Christianity Today, Beliefnet, Books and Culture, Orion, etc. She takes on garbage, a theology of the body, culture-making, motherhood, narrative theology and points between and beyond. Her essays have won Pushcart nominations, the William Wilberforce Award and the Virginia Faulkner Award.

“As much as I love words on the page, I’m not fully satisfied until I get to speak them in person with others,” Leslie adds. She says she’s honored to travel and share from her passions nationally and internationally at conferences, universities, churches and retreats. With three master’s degrees, she has taught collegiate and undergraduate classes for many years, including six years in Seattle Pacific University’s MFA program. If she can’t see her audience, radio is a good second. She has appeared on more than 150 radio shows including Family Life Today, Prime Time America, Keepin' the Faith, Chris Fabry Live!

Leslie blogs at www.leslieleylandfields.com about life in her house, in the wild and on the road. She lives in Kodiak, Alaska with her husband and two teens. In the summer, her four older children return to their fishcamp island where cell phones don’t work, and where they all happily (sometimes) work together in commercial salmon fishing. You can reach her at leslieleylandfields@gmail.com

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Radiant Birth is a devotional for Advent through Epiphany, collecting writings by members of the Chrysostom Society both living and dead. I especially appreciated Madeleine L'Engle's and Luci Shaw's poetry, and the many reflections by memoirists. There are a few short stories, too. I loved the inclusion of St John Chrysostom's Christmas sermon, the first extant Christmas sermon in church history. The length of each day's reading was just right--a few pages for fiction/reflection, two poems, or a Scripture reading and a poem or brief reflection.

As far as formats go, this one is just about perfect. I don't like devotionals for these seasons that go by date (even though Christmas and Epiphany are moveable feasts) because Advent is of variable length. A Radiant Birth is structured with daily readings for the maximum number of weeks included in the season, so it's easy to keep track of readings but also flexible for every year. And with Advent's different lengths, it will be fun to return to the book and visit readings at a different pace.

I look forward to revisiting this Advent devotional in future years, and will be recommending it when I am asked for Advent book recommendations.

[Graydon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible and stunning Advent devotional! It was so good that I read it too quickly (it goes until Epiphany) This book is full of good writing, poetry, Scripture, short stories, and more - all wondrous responses to Advent that pulls the reader in with beauty.

[Lori Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful collection of reflections on Advent.

[Michele Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of forty-two readings is bound to become a classic and an annual blessing with the stated purpose of lifting and lightening our holiday load with the beauty of truth. The invitation to “Behold!” is one we can easily miss in December, so I’m looking forward to beautiful words from Eugene Peterson, Philip Yancey, Madeleine L’Engle, Luci Shaw, Marilyn McEntyre, and other favorites to enhance my contemplation of God’s incomprehensible gift.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of stories, poems, psalms and devotions from some wonderful scribes. All focus on the birth of Jesus and its impact. It's personal, often deep, at times lighthearted and leaves you wanting more.

It's a beautifully gentle way of approaching Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.

I'd suggest I'll be using this next Advent as it's excellent.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely anthology of poetry and prose from Advent 1 until Epiphany. Some of my favorite authors are featured: Walter Wagnerian J., Eugene Peterson, Luci Shaw, Philip Yancey, Lauren Winner, Madeleine L'Engle, Richard Foster. Twenty-six members of the Chrysostom Society share stories, essays and poetry which bring the stories around Christmas alive.

[Maribeth Van loon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of seasonal readings,poetry and reflections not arranged in any particular progression. Some were deep, some just okay. I particularly enjoyed a dramatic reading script that was included midway; could be great for a Christmas church service.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice collection of stories and poetry

[Sarah White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Especially enjoyed poetry by Luci Shaw and short stories by Gina Ochsner. Nice variety of content and reading type.

[Gigi Tharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings Christmas to life and was easy to read.