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Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter

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Though Easter is often trivialized by the culture at large, it is still the high point of the religious calendar for millions of people around the world. And for most of them, there can be no Easter without Lent, the season that leads up to it.

A time for self-denial, soul-searching, and spiritual preparation, Lent is traditionally observed by daily reading and reflection. This collection will satisfy the growing hunger for meaningful and accessible devotions. Culled from the wealth of twenty centuries, the selections in Bread and Wine are ecumenical in scope, and represent the best classic and contemporary Christian writers.

Includes approximately fifty readings on Easter and related themes by Thomas à Kempis, Frederick Buechner, Oswald Chambers, Alfred Kazin, Jane Kenyon, Søren Kierkegaard, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Christina Rossetti, Edith Stein, Walter Wangerin, William Willimon, Philip Yancey, and others.

430 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

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About the author

Eberhard Arnold

70 books62 followers
Eberhard was born in Königsberg, East Prussia into an academic family. He studied theology but, because of his views on infant baptism and his decision to leave the Lutheran church, he was refused his degree. He changed majors to philosophy. He married Emmy von Hollander and together they dedicated their lives in obedience to God’s will. This led to the beginning of community in 1920.

Eberhard was criticized for his uncompromising faith, which cost him many friends. Not wanting to form a separate sect, he always sought out others who felt as he did. This led to a year’s trip to North America (1930-31) to visit the Hutterites. He was accepted as a minister and the Bruderhof became part of the larger Hutterian movement.

When Hitler came to power in 1933 Eberhard spoke out clearly, recognizing early on the direction German politics were taking. He spent the last years of his life preparing the Brotherhood for possible persecution. Returning from a visit to government authorities in October 1933, he slipped and broke his leg—a complicated fracture which ultimately led to his death.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
Profile Image for Amy.
3,051 reviews620 followers
October 2, 2022
Well, as you might have noticed, Lent ended a while ago. (Though in my defense, Lent is roughly 40 days and there are 72 readings in this book. Which maybe corresponds with a broader church calendar than I'm familiar with but prepare accordingly.)

This collection of readings ranges from the familiar and treasured (writings of Augustine, Chesterton, Lewis, Luther, and Sayers) to the odd (Oscar Wilde?!) to the new-to-me (Dear, Guardini, Howard, and Soelle.) The devotion breaks into about six sections with an average of 12 essays per section: Invitation, Temptation, Passion, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and New Life.

Like any collection, some of these essays are amazing and others simply mediocre. Many were challenging and thought-provoking. My view on crucifixes, for example, underwent a fairly radical change after one of these essays. I would love to read it with friends and further explore some of these topics. (And I'd be curious if we agree on which are the best essays.)

I plan to give this one a re-read next Lent and hopefully this time it won't sake 7 months!
Profile Image for Danielle Williamson.
249 reviews16 followers
April 9, 2021
3.5

This book is made up of 72 extracts, essays, and poems. It is divided into six chapters, which serve as categories; Invitation, Temptation, Passion, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and New Life.

I found each excerpt to be hit-or-miss. There were some incredible chapters that moved me and left me astounded and pondering; and others that I thought were off-base, self-congratulatory, or erroneous. As this was an ecumenical book, I suppose this was to be expected, but some views were heterodox and conflicted with what was said in other chapters.

This was a book on my tbr for a while, and as thus, my expectations were pretty high. I finished this book somewhat disappointed, but I am grateful for the few chapters, poems, and authors that were introduced to me for further reading. It was a book (in my experience) that had me digging through a whole field for a few gems*.
* Special mention, John Updike's "Seven Stanzas at Easter".
Profile Image for Celeste.
1,223 reviews2,546 followers
May 2, 2025
Bread and Wine is a collection of reflections on Lent and Easter and why both matter. As a Protestant, Lent isn’t something I ever observed or even knew much about until the last few years. The same can be said of Advent. But something I’ve come to respect deeply about Catholicism are the sacred rhythms of their year. Evangelicals tend to see Easter and Christmas as important days, sure, but they’re only a day each. Catholics (and some of the more ritualistic Protestant faiths) see the importance of meditating on these events instead of flying through them, of observing a season of preparing the heart for the celebrations. I love this, and it’s something I’m trying to institute in my own life. One of the biggest ways I’m doing this is through reading such meditative works as the writings showcased in Bread and Wine.

In this book, we have a collection of 72 brief essays or excerpts about the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, as well as a handful of poems. No author has more than one inclusion. While there were authors included that I already loved and was familiar with, like C.S. Lewis, Madeline L’Engle, N.T. Wright, G.K. Chesterton, Philip Yancey, and more, I was also introduced to an incredible amount of new-to-me writers, or those I’ve heard of but whose work I’ve never read. Among these were Amy Carmichael, Frederic Buechner, Søren Kierkegaard, and Dorothy Sayers.

As with any collection including so many authors, the pieces varied wildly in terms of quality. None were terrible, but some were certainly better than others. There are about twenty that I loved enough to mark so that I could return to them easily. My favorites of these were written by: Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, Kahlil Gibran, Dorothy Sayers, Peter Kreeft, Brennan Manning, Frederica Mathewes-Green, Philip Yancey, Amy Carmichael, Barbara Brown Taylor, and (a poem by) John Updike.

I found some of these profoundly moving, or thought-provoking, or both. Many were penned by people from different faith backgrounds from mine, which helped me stretch myself. Even if I didn’t agree with every single piece theologically, they still made me think and look outside of my own narrow beliefs. Overall, I really enjoyed my time with Bread and Wine, and I feel like it did a lot to help prepare my heart to celebrate the Resurrection. The same company has another book, Watch for the Light, that is similar readings for Advent and Christmas, and I will absolutely be buying myself a copy before December. I can see both of these being books that I revisit in part or whole on a yearly basis.
Profile Image for Jill.
275 reviews15 followers
May 11, 2025
A thoughtful, kind, compelling, and true companion for the Lent and early Eastertide seasons. Chances are good I do the companion book for Advent this year!

Highly, highly recommend.
Profile Image for Rachel | All the RAD Reads.
1,254 reviews1,326 followers
April 6, 2018
I read the Christmas edition of this book back during the Advent season, and loved it. This one was no exception -- it's such a fantastic collection of short writings from MANY acclaimed Christian writers, speakers, and thinkers. I loved the progression of the pieces throughout the Lent season, and loved that it didn't just end on Easter Sunday but continued for a few weeks beyond. This is an excellent companion to any Lent study or just as a standalone book to read throughout the season as well! Highly recommend these.
Profile Image for Leslie Medlin.
2 reviews
July 30, 2023
Quite literally the best compiled writings on the journey of Christ to the cross and the Resurrection I have EVER read. I was moved to tears so many times, and gained perspectives and revelations on surrender, passion, suffering, the Resurrection, and Hope that have absolutely changed my paradigm for both the everyday and my life as a whole. This is such a powerful accompaniment to the Lent & Easter seasons, though it took me till July to read it! Definitely on my top list of all time favorites.

Note: there are certain writings that seem to conflict with others on certain opinions/conclusions - but they are a compilation of writings from a myriad of authors, and my suggestion is to take them all for what they are worth. Each one offers well-thought-out conclusions, and the book as a whole isn’t meant to present only one idea or theme.
Profile Image for Chattynatty Van Waning.
1,061 reviews13 followers
April 22, 2021
Although a Lenten book I think this book could be used as a devotional any time of the year. I like that there were numerous contributors to this collection. I also liked how the devotional was divided into sections: Invitation, Temptation, Passion, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and New Life. Most chapters were short- easy to read for each day of Lent and several days after Easter. The short chapters still packed a lot of weighty material and topics and ideas to really “chew on”.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
1,136 reviews115 followers
April 18, 2022
4.5 stars. Overall a very rich and thoughtful devotional for Lent and Easter. There were maybe five or six entries that weren't scripturally or theologically sound. 72 entries by quite a few authors from various theological backgrounds means a reader is bound to find a few they disagree with.
Profile Image for Matthew.
50 reviews
May 12, 2022
A great compilation of Lent and Easter readings. My favorites were from Clarence Jordan, Amy Carmichael, Walter Ciszek, Karl Barth, Frederick Buechner, Thomas Merton, and Malcolm Muggeridge.
40 reviews6 followers
May 4, 2023
Reading Bread and Wine for Lent and Easter brought a heightened awareness of the season in a way that deeply meaningful and inspiring. I will read this again.
Profile Image for Laura Silvey.
223 reviews12 followers
November 1, 2023
Probably my favorite “one a day” type devotional I have read. I obviously took my sweet ole time and didn’t just read it during Lent, but Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are wonderful year-round subjects ☺️
Profile Image for Luke Baker.
84 reviews4 followers
April 12, 2020
Best Lent resource I have ever come across! Over 70 thoughtful and challenging reflections written by heroes of the Christian faith. Will definitely try to make it a practice to go through this many Lenten seasons ahead.
Profile Image for Crystal.
305 reviews23 followers
February 11, 2016
So disappointed! Most of this collection is greatly distorting scripture!! The writers are taking verses terribly out of context and some seem mentally disturbed. Good grief! Pretty covered book will go in the trash. The only handful of good readings can't save it.
I bought this months ago and looked forward to reading it during Lent season. Now I look forward to burning it in the weekend's bonfire.
203 reviews
April 16, 2025
This book is a collection of short passages that relate to Lent and Easter written by a variety of authors. The authors range from well-known to some I was not familiar with. The book is organized by theme.

I enjoyed this book, and maintained a habit of reading some passages after dinner most nights during Lent this year. I found the first section difficult with the theme of suffering, but I’m glad I stuck with this book because after that, I found the passages to be rewarding and thought-provoking. A collection like this can feature a variety of perspectives and opinions, and I appreciated that this encouraged me to think about the season and holiday in a different way. Several passages encourage you to think about Lent and Easter not just as a Bible story, but to look at what it really means in a real world sense, and see how it is relevant to the present day.
Profile Image for Mwrogers.
531 reviews2 followers
May 17, 2020
This book is a collection of essays by many, many different Christians from different eras gathered together as devotional readings for Lent. If started on Ash Wednesday, it will continue long past Easter as there are more writings than days of Lent. I originally purchased it because it came up as a CS Lewis book and later realized he was just one of many of the authors. It is very good. Some of the authors I don’t agree with and others challenged me to dive deeper into stories I’ve read over and over. I think I will pull it out again during Lent next year and reread my yellow highlights.
Profile Image for Logan Price.
299 reviews34 followers
June 2, 2022
I'd highly recommend this to guide you through the Lent and Easter seasons next year. Each reading is pretty short and it pulls from a wide range of writers! Some of the readings I didn't love, but most of them were encouraging, thought-provoking, or beautiful in some way.

Favorite Quote (from Barbara Cawthorne Crafton): We travail. We are heavy-laden. Refresh us, O homeless, jobless, possession-less Savior. You came naked, and naked you go. And so it is for us. So it is for all of us.
Profile Image for Malvina.
1,906 reviews9 followers
May 13, 2021
A book I started in Lent, with full expectations I would finish by Easter. Clearly I didn't, but I took my time instead. The essays are thoughtful, some I didn't exactly resonate with, but others were insightful and helpful. Overall, good reflections.
Profile Image for Sara Fukuda.
270 reviews
April 8, 2023
As is usual with these sorts of devotionals, some of the musings were excellent some were questionable. Overall a great Lenten devotional.
Profile Image for Jillian Armstrong .
398 reviews26 followers
April 29, 2024
A beautiful collection of essays from a broad range of authors that inspired deep reflection on the Lent and Easter seasons.
Profile Image for Maria  Almaguer .
1,397 reviews7 followers
March 28, 2021
A beautiful collection of essays and reflections for the Lenten Season, written by many notable Christian and spiritual writers. This is the first time I've fully immersed myself in Lent actively, in my entire life, and this book was recommended to me by a Christian yoga instructor for meditation. Some spoke to me more profoundly than others (as most essay collections do for each of us) and I find that there is a similar publication for Advent which I will seek out later this year. As a Catholic, I highly recommend this book to others for deeper immersion for this Holy season.
Profile Image for Create With Joy.
682 reviews169 followers
March 7, 2015
If you want to deepen your spiritual life and reflect on the mystery and miracle of Christ’s death and resurrection – then consider Bread And Wine – Readings For Lent And Easter for your personal devotional time!

Bread And Wine is a collection of 72 readings from a wide spectrum of classic and contemporary authors who share their thoughts on the following themes:

* Invitation
* Temptation
* Passion
* Crucifixion
* Resurrection
* New Life

In case you are wondering why there are 72 readings since there are only 40 days in Lent, the first 46 readings cover events that occur during the official season of Lent, which runs from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, and the last two sections focus on post-Easter themes.

What I like most about Bread And Wine is that it has given me a fresh perspective on and a deeper appreciation for Lent – a solemn season I associate with self-sacrifice and somberness from my childhood.

The Editors write:

Lent is the season in which we ought to be surprised by joy. Our self-sacrifice serves no purpose unless, by laying aside this or that desire, we are able to focus on our heart’s deepest desire – unity with Christ. In Him – in His suffering and death – His resurrection and triumph – we find our truest joy.

I thoroughly enjoy the diverse readings in Bread And Wine. I find that the daily reflections provide a great way to focus on Christ and to ponder what His life, death, and resurrection really mean.

To read this review in its entirety, visit Create With Joy.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Profile Image for amanda.
76 reviews18 followers
March 18, 2024
Another great Lenten read, though some of the writings did bore me. Included some of my favorite Christian authors/philosophers: CS Lewis, GK Chesterton, St. Augustine, Dorothy Day, Amy Carmichael.

Here’s some passages I liked:

“To say it again — this time, backward: There is no motivation for works of love without a sense of gratitude, no sense of gratitude without forgiveness, no forgiveness without contrition, no contrition without a sense of guilt, no sense of going without a sense of sin.”

“For it is the grace of Christ, and not our own virtue, that gives us the power to overcome the flesh and the world. You will not even fear your enemy, the devil, if you arm yourself with faith and are signed with the cross of Christ.”

“Most certainly, it is easier to believe now that the sun warms us, and we know that buds will appear on the sycamore trees in the wasteland across from the Catholic Worker office, that life will spring out of the full clods of that littered park across the way. There are wars and rumors of war, poverty and plague, hunger and pain. Still, the sap is rising, again there is the resurrection of spring, God’s continuing promise to us that He is with us always, with His comfort and joy, if we will only ask.”
Profile Image for Jen.
2,396 reviews40 followers
May 25, 2013
some of the readings I enjoyed more than others, but overall, a worthwhile book. Will add more quotes as I have time.

Some gems so far...

Beneath Thy Cross- Christina Rossetti
Am I a stone, and not a sheep,
That I can stand, O Christ, beneath thy cross,
To number drop by drop Thy Blood's slow loss,
And yet not weep?

Not so those women loved
Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee;
Not so fallen Peter weeping bitterly;
Not so the thief was moved;

Not so the Sun and Moon
Which hid their faces in a starless sky,
A horror of great darkness at broad noon--
I, only I.

Yet give not o'er,
But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock;
Greater than Moses, turn and look once more
And smite a rock.


and this... "Our disppoinments, our lonelinesses and our defeats do not separate us from [Jesus] ; they draw us more deeply into communion with him. And with the final unanswered cry, "Why, my God, why?" we join in his death cry and await with him the resurrection." by Moltmann
Profile Image for Marissa | storiesinthemeadow.
586 reviews6 followers
May 15, 2021
Took me longer than 72 days to read this 😅 I started on Ash Wednesday and read a passage most days. The book is split into 5 parts; 3 to go along with Lent, and 2 to go along with Easter/Resurrection. There is an essay/book excerpt for every day of Lent, and additional ones for the Easter season. Some fantastic writers and thinkers included: C.S. Lewis, Chesterton, Tolstoy, and many others who were new to me. Each selection is 3-8 pages long so it is easy to add it into a devotional rotation/routine.

As with anything theological, there were writers that I disagreed with and those whose words rang poignant and true. I felt like this collection had a good balance of thinkers modern and older, with a variety of beliefs on the Christian spectrum.

I will definitely return to this book every couple of years to align my heart and mind as preparation for Easter, and I highly recommend this book to others.
Profile Image for Valeska.
262 reviews
March 4, 2015
At first, I was getting a bit of whiplash reading this book as it is a very diverse collection of writings. It is tough to hop from Martin Luther to Thomas Merton to Leo Tolstoy to Dorothy Sayers to Edith Stein. I had to take it more slowly to get more out of it. It was very helpful to reference the small biography at the back of the book for the different authors. It made it easier to go into reading a passage when I knew it was written by an "American Protestant existentialist theologian" or "German theologian martyred under Hitler." I have to admit when I saw that a writer was an apologist, the song by REM would start going through my head.

I am considering buying this book. I think you would glean something different from the passages depending on where you are in your life. It would be interesting to revisit the book in a few years.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews

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