Editor Christopher Webber has carefully selected inspirational passages from Underhill's most significant works, providing readings for every day of Advent and Christmas - and sharing the timeless treasure of Underhill's spiritual vision.
"Priest, poet, and farmer" is the short summary. After many years of ministry in inner city, overseas (Tokyo), suburban, and rural locations I lived for twenty years in the northwest corner of Connecticut. Twenty acres of woods, garden, and orchard provided an excellent balance to writing. There's no better cure for writer's block than splitting some more firewood. Less than two years ago, however, I moved to San Francisco and am enjoying life in the city with its conveniences and cultural opportunities. Two books have been published in recent months and although my next book deadline is February 15, I'm doing what I can to promote "Dear Friends: Letters from St. Paul to Christians in America" and "Give Me Liberty: Seeches and Speakers that Shaped America." "
This is a wonderful collection that takes the reader from the beginning of Advent to Epiphany, with short readings that build upon one another. Each reading is only a page or two. It's a wonderful introduction to the mysticism explained by Evelyn Underhill.
I used this little book of devotions for my Advent reading last year and this year. The selections are pithy, deep, and thought-provoking. I like the way they're just long enough to start a profound train of thought, but not so long that you can't plow through them during morning prayer time.
Evelyn Underhill writes from a different century and culture, but her observations are surprisingly relevant and open up timeless truths. She has helped me understand Biblical passages in entirely new ways.