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

by James C. Howell

Music is such an important part of Advent and Christmas. Can you imagine Advent without "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"? How about Christmas without carols like "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Silent Night," and "Joy to the World"?

It pleases the Lord Jesus when we sing of his coming with carols we know by heart. It pleases him even more when we think about the words we are singing.

In 24 reflections on well-known carols and Christmas songs, James Howell explores the birth of Jesus. He ponders the meaning of certain phrases from these songs and relates them to our daily lives.

The four weeks of devotions are arranged by topic:

The Place
The Men (Joseph, shepherds, magi)
The Mother
The Child
A guide for weekly discussion is included.

Join Howell in this rich remembrance for the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

112 pages, Kindle Edition

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.