Why This Jubilee?: Advent Reflections on Songs of the Season

by James C. Howell

In this book of 24 reflections, James Howell takes inspiration from well-known carols and Christmas songs to explore the birth of Jesus. He groups the devotions into 4 weeks by these topics: The Place, The Men (Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi), The Mother, and The Child.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2015

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just what I hoped for in an Advent study: looking at the phrases from hymns and mining their depth
My only disappointment was that James Howell states phrases from hymns without always staying which hymn it comes from. Of course, that got me searching and have me a greater immersion than I might have had if I hadn't had to search.
I'd never thought about some things. For example, how O Holy Night is so familiar, but it's a solo - it's not even in the common hymn books!
The discussion guide was adequate for our class.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Advent devotional that acts as a study to examine the 'songs' from the Bible that point to Christ's birth.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I absolutely loved the idea, I found some of the theology troubling.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glimpses and thoughts about carols. Some profound thoughts right alongside ordinary insight.