God With Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas

by Greg Pennoyer (Editor), Gregory Wolfe (Editor)

Christmas is the season most difficult to grasp and understand in all its spiritual richness. The sentimentality and commercialism that dominate the season tend to obscure the profound mystery at its the Incarnation. God With Us provides the perfect way to slow down and reconnect with the litugical and sacramental traditions that illuminate the meaning of the Incarnation and bring it down to earth.

Featuring daily meditations for the complete seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, contributors Scott Cairns, Emilie Griffin, Richard John Neuhaus, Kathleen Norris, Eugene Peterson, and Luci Shaw offer a tapestry of reflection, Scripture, prayer and history. These profound words are enhanced by classic and contemporary art masterpieces carefully selected by the editors. God With Us will make anyone's journey to the stable in Bethlehem and the child in the manger utterly unforgettable.

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

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2007

Reviews

[☾❀Apple✩ Blossom⋆｡˚ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay so, first of all - merry Christmas everybody!!! :)
I picked up this book because I was looking mainly for a praying guide to get ready for Christmas on a spiritual level, even thought I mean, can we ever be ready for His coming?? And it kinda helped in a way, but only because it contained, for each day, the designated Scriptures to pray and meditate on. I appreciate that, but I could have found them online anyway. The rest - the commentary, the chapters about the history of each festivity - I found it on one hand not very deep, on the other hand too "original" and not actually a reflection on the readings, but more of a free commentary form the authors based on "what does this passage make me think of". With the results that, since the authors change for every week, I only liked the parts written by the one author I shared the same ideas with - which, if I remember correctly, is the one who wrote the second week.

But I think I should add that the format of the "devotional" (a book having one brief chapter per day, containing some passage of the Bible and a brief reflection, meant to help with daily prayers everybody who doesn't necessary have time or inspiration to pray every morning) is one of my biggest pet peeves, and it's very difficult for me to find one which I actually can relate to and use in my daily prayer life. For the majority of the time, I find them very superficial and sometimes even distant from the actual meaning of the Scriptures. Anyway, I don't necessary dislike this book, I just don't think it did much in preparing me for Christmas. I think daily prayer, even without a guide, is much more effective. After all, what better guide then Him? :)))

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Advent devotional. I have the original hardcover edition. The pages are thick, glossy, and they perfectly set off the classic artwork inside. I love the variety of writers included - Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox; writers, poets, theologians. It's my second year going through it, and the essays help me focus my heart on Christ and truly prepare for Christmas.

[Patricia Mckenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emmanuel is the meaning of Christmas. Emmanuel means God With Us, the title that says it all. This is a beautiful Advent devotional book in its 4th printing. This quote is from the preface by the author "Christmas is the feast of the Incarnation, which is the mystery of God with us in the flesh. When we cut through the sentiment and marketing to the spiritual riches of Christmas , we recover not only a sense of who God is, but also who we are as human beings." I like the format of the book with the unpacking of the scriptures for the four weeks of Advent followed by Christmas to Epiphany. The history of the feast days by Beth Davis was very informational and I learned a lot about each of the 12 days of Christmas has history and has a specific meaning and purpose. I like the variety of authors from Richard Neuhaus to Kathleen Norris. I did not like that the scripture readings were cited at the beginning of each chapter and not included for convenient reading. I guess I'm just showing laziness, maybe this is made to make the average reader seek out their bible for the readings. Advent is a special time for the church and for me personally. We are an incarnational people where the gift of ourselves is important for the season because of God's gift of himself not just on the cross but by the stable manger. This quote from God with Us "Christmas is about incarnation, and incarnation is God’s becoming what he is not, in order that we might become what he is. Thus does God reveal himself" is a powerful affirmation of our humanity. I would recommend this book to deepen your experience of this spiritual season. From the book is the best recommendation "As this season of preparation continues, Holy God who is with us, may we lean into every moment of our days to redeem the time, to make the most of our every moment."

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous Advent devotional. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was because it did not tell me anything about the art that graces all its pages, nor did the devotional address the art. Also some of the art is thumbnail sized (not sure why) and others are sumptuously large. Each day the reader is provided with Scripture passages, devotional thoughts from some incredibly talented writers and poets, an art print, and a prayer. Sunday’s are given additional material as markers of the liturgical calendar. I loved the variety of artists represented, several new to me. All in all a worthy journey thru Advent.

[Sophfronia Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will be my "go to" Advent devotional from now on. The daily meditations are moving and well written and I especially enjoyed the sections describing and exploring the history of the feast days, which I understood very little beforehand. I also found the artwork, as you can see by the cover, striking and inspiring. What a treasure of a book! I'm grateful for it and look forward to deepening my connection with it in the years to come.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. I read this throughout Advent and it really kept my focus on Christ and the events surrounding His birth. It also helped me explore some of the rich thematic elements of Advent such as waiting, light, darkness, and our current season of advent as we await Christ's return. The artwork really enhances this book. It was a joyful companion to the Advent season.

[Cara Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely. Just lovely. The pictures, the emphasis on the liturgical calendar, the musings of several favorite authors.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am soooo very glad that I was able to get this book for the Advent season this year. What a wonderful inspirational and instructive format. Advent was not a tradition in my early spiritual heritage, but I have grown to appreciate both Advent and Lent. I loved that this book not only had daily scripture readings and devotional readings written by different authors each week, but it also included the history and purpose for the different feast days throughout the Advent and Christmas season! I loved that these readings took me clear through to Epiphany and the Feast of the Holy Family as the 12 Days of Christmas were included, not just the days and weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas. Engaging with this book challenged me, encouraged me and blessed me, making this Advent and Christmas season so much more meaningful this year!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a superb and thorough Advent devotional. Each day (from the start of Advent through the twelve days of Christmas) featured Scripture readings, a reflection, a prayer, and art work (which sometimes fit with the Scripture lesson, sometimes less so). There were also extra explanations and devotions included for all feast days. I found myself blessed by the rhythm of these daily meditations, and it definitely helped me to focus on Christ during Advent and Christmas. I hope to reread this, perhaps in a couple years.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A daily reflection for the seasons of Advent and Christmas with lovely accompanying artwork. I only wish that there had been more written about the art - more of a connection made between the reflections and the art. Each author took one week and I found my favorite to be Kathleen Norris. This book provided a few moments of contemplation and reflection at the start of each of my days and helped me honor these liturgical seasons.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few years back I started choosing a book to read for advent each year. This has been my favorite. The fact that it takes one through Epiphany has been especially meaningful. Another bonus is the famous works of art provided as one move's through the readings. This book has reminded me of things forgotten while also teaching things I never knew. I suspect this book will be hard to top when I get around to choosing a 2025-2026 Advent-Epiphany Book.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these daily readings for Advent and Christmas. They were meditative yet specific, mostly grounded in the Bible passages of the season with hat tips to contemporary life. It wasn't cloying or sentimental. My copy has a different cover, a beautiful copy of a Giotto fresco. Maybe I'll read it again next year.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has pictures of beautiful paintings that enhance the season of the church! However, some of the relevant paintings are quite small. I would have appreciated a little less writing and enlarged paintings.

[Alana/MiaTheReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the artwork that went with the readings, but found the readings didn't really reach me. Possibly it is because I am Evangelical instead of Catholic, and am not used to the focus on saints or the importance put on the mother of Jesus in the faith tradition.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of the best Advent Books ever published. The writings are thought provoking and the art is amazing. I read this book every year.

[Erinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a booklet similar to the title of this book (not the exact one listed). Church Advent reading.

[Mary Elise Dedicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the artwork to accompany the daily insights and reflection.

[Stephanie Bammes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liturgical advent devotional

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some helpful devotions for Advent but a bit too liturgical for me; beautiful artwork enhances the book

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year the holiday season comes earlier. Coffee cups, mall Santas, ornaments, christmas music and grocery-store-eggnog all proclaim the yuletide cheer as the retail industrial complex screams,"Happy Holidays!" The Christian tradition has its own way of preparing for the holidays: Advent (beginning this year on November 29). More than just a time for marking the shopping days before Christmas, Advent is about preparing your heart to enter fully into the mystery of God's coming to us in the Incarnation of Christ.


God With Us: Reader's Edition edited by Greg Pennoyer & Pregory Wolfe
Now is the time to start thinking about how to wait well. Paraclete Press has several devotional resources designed to help us enter into the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. God With Us: Reader's Edition of a paperback version of one of my favorites. Like its companion volume God for Us (which walks through Lent and Easter), it brings together a group of writers from across the Christian tradition (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant--in both Evangelical and Mainline), under the editorial gaze of Greg Pennoyer and Gregory Wolfe (from Image Journal). Eugene Peterson writes the introduction and four authors each write a weeks worth of devotions for each day of Advent. The late Richard John Neuhaus provided the devotions for week one. Poets Scott Cairns and Lucy Shaw write the devotions for weeks two and three, respectively. Memoirist Kathleen Norris's offerings make up week four, leading up to Christmas while Emilie Griffin reflects on the special days between Christmas and the feast of Epiphany. Punctuating each section is Beth Bevis's brief histories share the historical context of the church's practice of the season and various feast days.

If you are familiar with any of these authors, you know how deeply they have reflected on the spiritual life and the wealth of insights they have for waiting and watching well. This is really a beautiful book and one of my 'holiday favorites.' I read a library copy several years ago and am happy to delve back into it for this season. Five stars, for sure.

Note: I received this book from Paraclete Press in exchange for my honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed the poetry of Scott Cairns and Luci Shaw, who are both contributors to this Advent devotional—and when you throw in Kathleen Norris and Eugene Peterson? I was sold. I tried reading a digital copy last year, but couldn't get into it. This year, having a physical copy made all the difference. The artwork included and the overall design is just lovely. With readings for each day of Advent through Epiphany, as well as for the feast days that fall in between, this is a rich resource for the Advent season. It was wonderful—reflective and thought-provoking. I'm looking forward to reading it again next year.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

God With Us: Rediscovering The Meaning Of Christmas(Reader's Edition-Small softcover)

interesting but at times too compact for my tastes reading, nonetheless Very nice to meditate on except for the mention of the "Martyr" Romero(He was a Liberation Theology type/PseudoCommie) and the mention of Guatemala in the 80s and all that jazz overall despite the contributor's leanings, the book runs well and im glad I own despite my disagreements with some of the words chosen. In a world overun by the secular which appropriates even Christmas this is refreshing meditation and light read.

[Jamie Smet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd been wondering/praying about how to foster more thoughtfulness during Advent and an email from the Image Journal popped up in my inbox promoting this new book. It combines daily Scripture readings and reflections based on the church seasons of advent and epiphany with artwork chosen to complement the themes of the writing. I will definitely return to this next year. It did help to keep me focused on "the reason for the season."

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this devotional for helping keep me focused during Advent. Its greatest strength is also its greatest weakness; that it switches authors every week. When I like the author, I want that week to go on. When I don't like the author; I find the whole week tedious.

I liked the reminder of and history behind saints' days and feast days, considering I missed out on all that during religious upbringing.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advent. Christmas. Epiphany. Feasts of the Holy Family and the Holy Innocents. God With Us: Incarnation. Nativity. Saints Nicholas and Stephen.

An ecumenical council of reflection and prayer represented by a trinity of church traditions and literary backgrounds, disciplines, and practices. Unity in diversity.

'Twas our third time/year reading these meaningful reminders of the reason for the season. It's becoming our family tradition!

[Lzarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book for many years, but haven't picked it up during advent for at least a few. I'm so glad I took a break and then went back. The reflections in this advent reader are very helpful for preparing for Christmas, and I like having scripture readings assigned for each day. Possibly the best feature of this book, however, is the art. The beautiful full-color reproductions drew me in once again and were often more central to my daily reading experience than the words themselves.

[Nelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful advent devotional contains scriptures and readings for all of December, through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. There is a description of each of the major feasts observed by the high church during this time period. Reproductions of fine art accompany each day's devotional. The writing is excellent and thought-provoking. I would highly recommend this as a book to purchase.

[Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a must read for Advent AND Christmas, ANY year. The authors did phenomenally well with keeping the short readings every days interesting and practical. It was smart for the editors to arrange for each author focused only on one week of the season, and each author intros the week saying, “this week I’d like us to reflect on....”. Brilliant arrangement, and I say that wishing other Advent books would follow such a simple approach for using several authors.

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read December 2020-January 2021. I enjoy these meditations and the artwork and the historical information on the historical feast days. It reminds me of what Biola University currently does with its online Advent series--gives art and poetry and reflections by a variety of writers on each week of Advent.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice Advent reader, with readings for each day and special readings for special days and feasts. It has assigned Scripture readings for each day and then a short reading an author wrote. I liked some of the writers better than others, but overall it was a good book to read over the Christmas season and structure my time preparing to celebrate. The inclusion of art is a nice addition.