Goodness and Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas

by Michael Leach (Editor), James Keane (Editor), Doris Goodnough (Editor)

An anthology of inspired readings from cherished writers to enrich you every day of the season

From the first day of Advent through Christmas Eve to the Epiphany, these 45 readings from beloved writers, classical and contemporary, will surprise you, touch your with love, and comfort you with peace. Authors

Harper Lee Kathleen Norris Frederick Buechner Maya Angelou Pope Francis James Martin Marianne Williamson

Amazing Peace is a wonderful book for daily inspiration during the holiday season and to re-read for its beauty and wisdom on many days after.

Genres: Christmas, Devotional, Spirituality, Christianity

300 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2015

Reviews

[Jessica]

Readings for every day of Advent, a mixture of sermon, short story, and poem. They were a little too, well, Catholic for me, to be honest. I felt like I was being chastised for not being humble and holy enough. Also, many of the pieces were by people who I had not heard of, but their essays seemed to be either part of a longer work, or to be leaning in the fact that I should know who they were. Sort of, "Remember the first time I was in Brazil? Well . . ." No. No, I don't! Can you give me some context here?

I really liked the idea of having something to read each day of Advent, and I marked a couple of essays and a story that resonated, so it's not like I hated it.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a collection of short essays, this book was understandably uneven in its entries: Some were fantastic; others just so-so. But it would be a good companion as the subtitle suggests to get a person prayerfully through the seasons of Advent and Christmas.I do enjoy that it does include a wide variety of authors and even gives a very short biography of each one in the back of the book, should the reader want to explore a particular writer more in depth.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Papa Panov FTW

[Leigh Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for Advent. A lovely collection of essays and poems.

[SaraJane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remembering the Sacred Presence of the One Who Dwells among Us - Joyce Rupp (pg. 250)
May we look for your goodness in people who seem least likely to carry your love.
May we behold your radiance in the ones we quickly pass by at home or work.
May we discover your love in our deeper self when we feel unloving and irritable.
May we embrace you in the persons whose faithfulness we take for granted.
May we see your empathy in those serving the wounded of the world.
May we recognize your courage in the valiant people who speak out for justice.
May we notice your non-judgmental acceptance in those who keep an open mind.
May we search for your gentleness when it is covered with harshness in another.
May we observe your generosity in every gift we receive, no matter how small it is.
May we reveal your mercy when we pardon someone for having turned against us.
May we welcome your joy in the delightful voices and happy play of children.
May we convey your compassion when we visit those with illness and poor health.
May we detect your patience in those who put up with our impatience and hurry.
May we unite with your peace hidden beneath the layers of the world's disharmony.

[Tanja Nayak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to put on your coffee or beside table this Christmas. A nice selection of poems and essays to give you real food for thought during the season of Advent. Amid all the hustle and bustle of the festive season take time to sit down for an hour with this book and think and ponder about the thoughts of some great writers. A must for anyone who knows that Christmas is more than about the material trappings that consume so much of our time during the festive season, but also about time-old traditions and a much deeper spirituality and heart-felt truth. An inspiring read.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this as well as the initial one I'd read: Watch for the Light. There are significantly more Catholic writers and thinkers in this one, which is something I'm not as familiar with. However, reading over the difficult dark advent season was as beneficial as it ought to be, and my Christmas season was calmer, more serene, and more focused on the origin of Christmas than it has been for years.

[Mallory · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writings are mostly from a Catholic perspective. I didn't find this collection very memorable or compelling.

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome collection of stories to read during Advent to keep in mind what Christmas is all about.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good companion for the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season. Readings in many different genres, from poetry, stories to short essays.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ultimately a DNF for me. Some of the entries just felt really _out there_ for me theologically (Richard Rohr, Marianne Williamson in particular).

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really nice little books with a very varied selection base. I couldn't finish it because the library needed it more, but I enjoyed it while I had it.

[Kelli Reinhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely collection of daily readings for Advent through Epiphany. Ecumenical but not universalist, definitely leans Catholic.

[Margaret R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book of readings as reflections for Advent and Christmas. Especially the mix of authors who contributed.

[Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this seasonal read. It was my first advent book and I so enjoyed celebrating the season with a daily story. Some better than others, but one I will read more than once.

[Larada Horner-Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of articles, poems, etc. about the liturgical season of Advent and Christmas that enriched my experience this year. Thoughtful, thought-provoking and inspirational.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! Thought-provoking.

[Sandra VonniessenApplebee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing there were only a handful of stories that I found a message or caused me to reflect

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

A thoughtful book for the holiday season, this book is a selection of essays and poems to put you in the real meaning of the Christmas season. I didn't quite finish it since it is due back to the library. I skimmed the ending days. Frankly, I got a little bored. A couple of days would be enough for me. It takes a particular person to read this book day to day.

[Karen Floyd]

A thoughtful and thought-provoking collection of poems, sermons, writings. I particularly liked Maya Angelou's poem "Amazing Peace," and Anna Quindlen saying that Mary and Joseph had not "trekked to Bethlehem, Herod and the Magi in hot pursuit, so that modern pilgrims could track down the trendiest toys."

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book of Advent devotions I have ever read. I would even recommend these devotions for those who aren't sure of their Christian faith, or are actively questioning their faith. Although published by a Catholic press, the devotions are accessible to all. Some are charming, some challenging, but all will aid contemplative thought during Advent.... or any time of waiting.

[Emily R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every year during Advent, starting with the first day, 11-21. I enjoy reading the different stories that the Authors share. It’s definitely nice to read during the Advent season, but really, you can pick it up anytime of the year and enjoy it.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent devotional for Advent with some of my favorite authors: Richard Rohr, Anna Quindlen, Willa Cather, Kathleen Norris.

[Joseph Mole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a breath of fresh air for me after reading from the same compilation for more than 10 years. Beautifully curated, and exactly what I needed this advent season.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good companion for Advent and Christmas. There are many very good articles and poems which enriched my celebration of the season and the spiritual journey that is Advent and Christmas.