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All I Really Want: Readings for a Modern Christmas
Sometimes the happiest and holiest time of the year is also the hardest for people to enjoy. These daily readings offer the skeptic, the over-committed the opportunity to make room-perhaps just enough room-for God to show up.The weeks leading up to Christmas can spark a strong spiritual longing for more. Although it may never be articulated, we sense beneath those longings is a yearning for an experience of God. These brief writings address the challenges and realities of the season and include a simple action, ritual or meditation designed to gently steer the reader toward the deeper meaning that underlies the season. Smart, witty, edgy—and always hopeful—readings by Quinn Caldwell include a brief prayer for each morning and evening during the entire Christmas season. This book takes seriously the modern person’s hunger for meaning and import in a season that feels increasingly frivolous. Includes a calendar with one easy task to do each day.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 20, 2015
Review: ALL I REALLY WANT: READINGS FOR A MODERN CHRISTMAS by Quinn Caldwell
Christmas has become so overblown, overinflated, and marketing-hyped "Sell! Sell! Sell!" that a thinking person wonders, " What happened to peace on earth? Where's goodwill to all?" Author Quinn Caldwell postulates that Christmastime still turns the thoughts of many to pondering the spiritual. He offers readings, suggestions, and actions for all of December and early January (Christmastide). Think, ponder, and reflect. ALL I REALLY WANT is a welk-written, humorous yet serious, conversation with the reader.
Christmas has become so overblown, overinflated, and marketing-hyped "Sell! Sell! Sell!" that a thinking person wonders, " What happened to peace on earth? Where's goodwill to all?" Author Quinn Caldwell postulates that Christmastime still turns the thoughts of many to pondering the spiritual. He offers readings, suggestions, and actions for all of December and early January (Christmastide). Think, ponder, and reflect. ALL I REALLY WANT is a welk-written, humorous yet serious, conversation with the reader.
November 27, 2018
One of my favorite Advent books -- but beware: it's irreverently reverent! I appreciate Quinn's creative, soulful take on the holiday season, and return to this book each year.
January 14, 2019
I liked this book. I had read it with a group at church, and wasn't as rigorous about reading every day as I could have been. I appreciated the informal nature of the tone to the reader, but then again, it seemed a bit too casual as well. There were some good challenges to the reader, and it was sometimes thought-provoking, but then again there were parts which were sort of a turn-off.
I may revisit this again next year, as the exercise of reading during Christmastime is worthwhile, but it really didn't completely connect with me.
I may revisit this again next year, as the exercise of reading during Christmastime is worthwhile, but it really didn't completely connect with me.
January 8, 2015
Jan 7, 2015 Because the readings continued into January, I felt I "bridged over" the post Christmas let down. I am storing this book with my fall decorations so I can have it available next season. I'm sure there is more to get out of this modern take on Christmas. Excellent.
Dec 23, 2014
What a thought provoking uplifting book to read during the holidays! This author gives a totally different perspective on the Christmas story and the experience of living through the season in the real world. It is very inclusive of all kinds of people, especially us sinners. It reminds me that God loves me just because i am me.
Oct 24, 2014 I borrowed this from the library to see if I'd like to buy it. The answer is yes- I think it would appeal to both my girls even tho' one is a church person and one is an agnostic. I read several days worth of entries and they are down to earth and realistic, as well as Bible based. Three copies, please!
Dec 23, 2014
What a thought provoking uplifting book to read during the holidays! This author gives a totally different perspective on the Christmas story and the experience of living through the season in the real world. It is very inclusive of all kinds of people, especially us sinners. It reminds me that God loves me just because i am me.
Oct 24, 2014 I borrowed this from the library to see if I'd like to buy it. The answer is yes- I think it would appeal to both my girls even tho' one is a church person and one is an agnostic. I read several days worth of entries and they are down to earth and realistic, as well as Bible based. Three copies, please!
December 6, 2014
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I have bought two copies of this book since finishing it last week - one for myself and one as a gift. It is a fantastic devotional (and I'm not super big on devotionals). The twice-daily essays are quick reads that lead to lots of reflection, even though I didn't necessarily agree with all of the author's theology. The readings are funny and sobering, joyful and heartbreaking, and ultimately focused on the love of God as expressed through ordinary things during the Christmas season. This is a wonderful addition to Advent and I plan on using it for years to come.
I have bought two copies of this book since finishing it last week - one for myself and one as a gift. It is a fantastic devotional (and I'm not super big on devotionals). The twice-daily essays are quick reads that lead to lots of reflection, even though I didn't necessarily agree with all of the author's theology. The readings are funny and sobering, joyful and heartbreaking, and ultimately focused on the love of God as expressed through ordinary things during the Christmas season. This is a wonderful addition to Advent and I plan on using it for years to come.
January 6, 2024
I've used this book twice to go though Advent with some quiet, focus, and attention. Most of the readings are meaningful and helped me to center my thoughts and choose actions to help savor the season.
December 31, 2025
This was a Christmas present last year and I really enjoyed reading it this Advent season. A very nice devotional.
January 2, 2015
a little uneven, but sometimes provocative, which counts, at Christmas.
January 7, 2018
Every year at the beginning of Advent I start a new Advent devotional and every year I quit reading because I am getting nothing from the readings. This year, I spent a lot of time searching for a book I would actually enjoy and that would deepen the meaning of the season for me. I also liked this book because the readings go through Epiphany (January 6), which to me is just as much a part of the Christmas season as the time before Christmas. At first, I was a bit put off because there were morning and evening readings. I am a morning person and by evening, I am tired and not really in the mood to read, so despite what the book said, I read two readings in the morning. I know that is not what the author intended, but it worked for me.
I really enjoyed the book. The readings were fairly quick and went well with the bible verse. The morning reading and the evening readings were both on the same theme, but had different bible verses attached to them. The reading themselves had lots of good advice and interesting points. They didn't come across as preachy or too involved. Each week begins with a calendar of suggested activities to deepen your experience. Often they are things to think about or quick things you can do. While, I admit I didn't do many of them, thinking about the suggestions was helpful to me.
I finally found a devotional I enjoyed and that helped me deepen my faith at Christmas instead of just going through the motions. I intend to reread it next year!
I really enjoyed the book. The readings were fairly quick and went well with the bible verse. The morning reading and the evening readings were both on the same theme, but had different bible verses attached to them. The reading themselves had lots of good advice and interesting points. They didn't come across as preachy or too involved. Each week begins with a calendar of suggested activities to deepen your experience. Often they are things to think about or quick things you can do. While, I admit I didn't do many of them, thinking about the suggestions was helpful to me.
I finally found a devotional I enjoyed and that helped me deepen my faith at Christmas instead of just going through the motions. I intend to reread it next year!
June 7, 2017
I have used this Advent devotional for the past 6 weeks, in spite of this being the church season of Easter. Is not a period of unemployment a time of preparation, of waiting, of expectation, of choosing, of making appeals and looking for inspiration?
This book has been thought-provoking, sometimes turning the usual interpretation of Scripture upside down to make a point. Caldwell brings the truth of the ancient story of Christmas into our modern culture.
This book has been thought-provoking, sometimes turning the usual interpretation of Scripture upside down to make a point. Caldwell brings the truth of the ancient story of Christmas into our modern culture.
January 18, 2021
There were about half a dozen readings that really resonated, but the rest felt a bit forced. (Dec 22's & 24's evening readings are standouts.) This probably has to do more with what I personally wanted out of an Advent book rather than the book itself.
"Honest Advent" fit my needs to a T; "All I Really Want" is probably best for someone else. A
"Honest Advent" fit my needs to a T; "All I Really Want" is probably best for someone else. A
January 7, 2023
This is my favorite of many Advent/Christmas devotional books, and I’m thankful to have read every entry this year. Caldwell’s writing is down to earth and relatable, and the progressive theology is still infused with enough awe and wonder to inspire. There’s enough here to read it again and again, and I intend to!
January 8, 2019
I'll have to do this again next year and spend more time with it.
January 7, 2021
Beautiful, thought-provoking, and holy.
January 4, 2022
answered many personal questions and renewed my faith
December 16, 2023
Love it!!! Every year!
January 6, 2025
Good Advent reading. Modern and thought provoking.
January 8, 2024
This was just what I needed for Advent this year.
November 20, 2015
From the intro: "I hope that the doing of them [activities, prayers, and scripture reading the book suggests to include in your to-do lists] will create room—maybe just enough room—for God to show up. I don't know about you, but this year, that's all I really want."
Due to my desire to enjoy this book as an Advent into Epiphany discipline, I've read mornings and evenings only through today, 10 December, but that's enough to give me a sense of the style, content, and promise of Quinn Caldwell's "Readings for a Modern Christmas." Whether or not we're aware of it, each of us does long for, yearn around, and seek the presence of the Holy, the other-than. All the time. Everywhere. In preparation for Christmas, scripture readings during advent include John the Baptist's announcing the soon to be presence and reign of God on earth, and "All I Really Want" suggests ways each of us can help enable God's ongoing incarnation in the most common, routine, everyday people, things, and happenings. Would you believe the author even suggests going to church, attending worship! Radical, unusual—maybe even helpful to us and to the world!
Each morning and each evening includes a large-print scripture passage on the left hand side of the page, a reflection by the author, and a brief prayer. At the start of each week, Caldwell maps out a 7-day Christmas activity calendar of suggested ways to help yourself and others realize God does show up. Nothing about this book is comprehensive in terms of theology or practice, but it's a delightful addition to your Advent-Nativity and also a format you easily could use as a model for creating your own journal for Advent or any season of the liturgical year.
Due to my desire to enjoy this book as an Advent into Epiphany discipline, I've read mornings and evenings only through today, 10 December, but that's enough to give me a sense of the style, content, and promise of Quinn Caldwell's "Readings for a Modern Christmas." Whether or not we're aware of it, each of us does long for, yearn around, and seek the presence of the Holy, the other-than. All the time. Everywhere. In preparation for Christmas, scripture readings during advent include John the Baptist's announcing the soon to be presence and reign of God on earth, and "All I Really Want" suggests ways each of us can help enable God's ongoing incarnation in the most common, routine, everyday people, things, and happenings. Would you believe the author even suggests going to church, attending worship! Radical, unusual—maybe even helpful to us and to the world!
Each morning and each evening includes a large-print scripture passage on the left hand side of the page, a reflection by the author, and a brief prayer. At the start of each week, Caldwell maps out a 7-day Christmas activity calendar of suggested ways to help yourself and others realize God does show up. Nothing about this book is comprehensive in terms of theology or practice, but it's a delightful addition to your Advent-Nativity and also a format you easily could use as a model for creating your own journal for Advent or any season of the liturgical year.
December 25, 2014
I love a good book. I love how it makes me feel, how it transforms my perceptions, and how it can introduce me to something I haven't thought about enough or ever.
This book made me think, smile, giggle, and brought a giddiness to my heart. I didn't have the chance to read it through-out December so I decided to read it in one chunk on Christmas morning and I felt this overwhelming feeling of peace and happiness while reading it. I absolutely believe it was God.
I loved how this book wasn't overly serious. It was silly at times and I appreciated that. I loved how this book encompassed the real love that God speaks about; loving and accepting all people including gays (and their uniting in marriage), interracial-couples, sinners, angry people, and people who hate Christmas, etc....
This book actually made me get on my knees and bow my head to the ground.
I'm truly not a cheesy person (or so I like to believe) or someone who talks about God to everyone, especially the people who least want to hear about Him, but I am a believer and I love God and I love reading about His love for us.
I love that this book even shouted out to non-believers and said that even they are sometimes doing better work than robotic church-goers who seem to forgotten God's message.
I loved that it talked about how God doesn't care about how often you're in His presence at church but it's more about how you act and treat people outside of church.
Finally I loved how she hoped that Mary had a great sex life! Ha! This was a great one guys and I appreciate the opportunity to read this and review and thanks for revitalizing my spirit. Amen!
This book made me think, smile, giggle, and brought a giddiness to my heart. I didn't have the chance to read it through-out December so I decided to read it in one chunk on Christmas morning and I felt this overwhelming feeling of peace and happiness while reading it. I absolutely believe it was God.
I loved how this book wasn't overly serious. It was silly at times and I appreciated that. I loved how this book encompassed the real love that God speaks about; loving and accepting all people including gays (and their uniting in marriage), interracial-couples, sinners, angry people, and people who hate Christmas, etc....
This book actually made me get on my knees and bow my head to the ground.
I'm truly not a cheesy person (or so I like to believe) or someone who talks about God to everyone, especially the people who least want to hear about Him, but I am a believer and I love God and I love reading about His love for us.
I love that this book even shouted out to non-believers and said that even they are sometimes doing better work than robotic church-goers who seem to forgotten God's message.
I loved that it talked about how God doesn't care about how often you're in His presence at church but it's more about how you act and treat people outside of church.
Finally I loved how she hoped that Mary had a great sex life! Ha! This was a great one guys and I appreciate the opportunity to read this and review and thanks for revitalizing my spirit. Amen!
October 16, 2016
Lovely Christmas ideas. Liberal theology.
Well, I am torn about this book.
Pros: the nice ideas for (almost) every day. Friendly, easy-going approach, which can turn very deep in some of the readings. Some of the readings deeply resonate with me. A lot of hope and acceptance. Funny and witty remarks. Deep love for God. Nice short length for the readings. Understanding for the non-believers and the lost and sad amongst us.
Cons: while some of the readings are deep, some other are just the instant "wisdom" and some are shallow. While the author can preach love, he can be self-righteous and judgmental from time to time - towards the "grumpy, uptight, judgmental" ones (which itself is a paradox, because who can see into the depths of the human heart?). The philosophy of the book is the kind of "I am OK, you are OK". While the author shows that you should love even if it can be hard, it still can be a half-hearted (the kind of "find one person today..." - I mean, it is very nice practice. But the point is to turn your heart to God and find Him in every person (with His help, as it can be truly hard)). There is a lot of acceptance - but just a little about the narrow path of trying to be more and more similar to God. And very, very little about the reality of repentance.
My personal deal break is that the book is obviously gay-positive. Not that it shows into your face, but there are mentions (mostly about gay marriages) here and there. I am not trying to be disrespectful here. But while I would love to discuss this with the author (who is gay himself, serving as a pastor of pastor at United Church of Christ), let's not conveniently forget the 6th commandment.
Well, I am torn about this book.
Pros: the nice ideas for (almost) every day. Friendly, easy-going approach, which can turn very deep in some of the readings. Some of the readings deeply resonate with me. A lot of hope and acceptance. Funny and witty remarks. Deep love for God. Nice short length for the readings. Understanding for the non-believers and the lost and sad amongst us.
Cons: while some of the readings are deep, some other are just the instant "wisdom" and some are shallow. While the author can preach love, he can be self-righteous and judgmental from time to time - towards the "grumpy, uptight, judgmental" ones (which itself is a paradox, because who can see into the depths of the human heart?). The philosophy of the book is the kind of "I am OK, you are OK". While the author shows that you should love even if it can be hard, it still can be a half-hearted (the kind of "find one person today..." - I mean, it is very nice practice. But the point is to turn your heart to God and find Him in every person (with His help, as it can be truly hard)). There is a lot of acceptance - but just a little about the narrow path of trying to be more and more similar to God. And very, very little about the reality of repentance.
My personal deal break is that the book is obviously gay-positive. Not that it shows into your face, but there are mentions (mostly about gay marriages) here and there. I am not trying to be disrespectful here. But while I would love to discuss this with the author (who is gay himself, serving as a pastor of pastor at United Church of Christ), let's not conveniently forget the 6th commandment.
January 13, 2018
Wonderful Advent reading. Love Quinn Caldwell's sense of humor, humility and grace. Made my Christmas a whole lot better! Will use this every year as my Advent calendar(with my own chocolates of course)! Hope, Love, Joy and Peace!
July 7, 2015
This book presents a bit of a different look at Christmas, with scriptural references, devotions, participation activities, and thought provoking daily readings. Brings to mind the things that are most important to remember during the season ans always - family, friends, loved ones, celebration of the spirit and life. Though I didn't agree with everything the author presented here, I definitely came away from this book with a deeper understanding of the relationship between Creator and created, and also between all of us as people. My favorite line in the book is from one of the prayers, "Until You perfect us all, make us kind." For me, that about sums up how we are to act toward one another, not just at Christmas time, but all the time. This is a refreshing look at what the spirit of Christmas is all about. Recommended reading any time of the year.
December 19, 2014
Given To Me For An Honest Review
All I Really Want: Readings for a Modern Christmas by Quinn G. Caldwell will put you in the mood for Christmas. It gives you fresh perspective of Advent. To those who are not part of a church this book may make them more open to a more accepting, compassionate and loving God. The reading is very joyful and vibrant and you will find yourself laughing while reading. The content can be both thoughtful and thought provoking which makes it a great conversation tool for group discussions. This is a book that can be read year after year and you can find new devotions each time. If you need some help getting in the mood for Christmas this book is for you. I recommend this book to everyone. I look for more by Quinn G. Caldwell.
All I Really Want: Readings for a Modern Christmas by Quinn G. Caldwell will put you in the mood for Christmas. It gives you fresh perspective of Advent. To those who are not part of a church this book may make them more open to a more accepting, compassionate and loving God. The reading is very joyful and vibrant and you will find yourself laughing while reading. The content can be both thoughtful and thought provoking which makes it a great conversation tool for group discussions. This is a book that can be read year after year and you can find new devotions each time. If you need some help getting in the mood for Christmas this book is for you. I recommend this book to everyone. I look for more by Quinn G. Caldwell.
December 6, 2015
A sentence from the introduction says it all about this wonderful Advent style book. It is written "to invite you to think and pray a little more deeply about it, not organize it all until it's easy." The author is a little crass and a lot sassy and I loved every page. I looked forward to reading each day. There are scriptures to ponder, stories to laugh over and some prayerful thoughts to wrap up your day. Designed to be split between morning and evening, it is a fantastic way to start and end those chaotic days of the season. I highly recommend this book for yourself and especially as a gift for that special sister or friend
January 8, 2015
This is the most thoughtful, creative, and heartfelt advent calendar I have ever read. Quinn's humor, passion, and joy compel me to dwell on Jesus the entire season. His prayers draw me close to the saviors heart and also encourage mine. I will read "All I Really Want" again because it's all I really need. Thank you Quinn Caldwell.
January 7, 2015
Wow, this book must tick off conservative Christians. It's written by a gay UCC minister who doesn't see a problem with tossing a little Santa and Elvis into a thoughtful and joyful journey through Advent. After finishing it, I feel inspired to make my own Advent guide for next year.
January 10, 2022
Funny and inspirational
Quinn tells the Christmas stor7Dy in a very fresh way that helped me to relate without getting completely overwhelmed like I often do. Funny! Practical! Relatable! Hopeful for more grace like this in the kingdom to come!
Quinn tells the Christmas stor7Dy in a very fresh way that helped me to relate without getting completely overwhelmed like I often do. Funny! Practical! Relatable! Hopeful for more grace like this in the kingdom to come!
June 13, 2016
This is a wonderful book, I can't wait to read-read in Advent as a devotional and prompt for a more meaningful Advent observance.
January 31, 2017
I enjoyed the readings for the morning and evenings. I also liked that there were activities that could be done daily to help with the Holiday season as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews