Preparing for Jesus: Meditations on the Coming of Christ, Advent, Christmas and the Kingdom

by Walter Wangerin Jr.

In Preparing for Jesus, best-selling author and master storyteller Walter Wangerin Jr. recreates verbal images of the events surrounding the Advent of Christ, offering a devotional journey into the heart of the Christmas season. Through rich detail and vivid images, these moving meditations make Christ's birth both intimate and immediate, allowing us to see Christmas from its original happening to its perennial recurrence in our hearts. Preparing for Jesus is sure to be a seasonal classic, treasured year after year.

Genres: Christmas, Christian, Nonfiction, Devotional, Faith, Spirituality, Christian Living

195 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Walter Wangerin Jr. is widely recognized as one of the most gifted writers writing today on the issues of faith and spirituality. Starting with the renowned Book of the Dun Cow, Wangerin's writing career has encompassed most every genre: fiction, essay, short story, children's story, meditation, and biblical exposition. His writing voice is immediately recognizable, and his fans number in the millions. The author of over forty books, Wangerin has won the National Book Award, New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year Award, and several Gold Medallions, including best-fiction awards for both The Book of God and Paul: A Novel. He lives in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he is Senior Research Professor at Valparaiso University.

Reviews

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface, this six-week daily devotional for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Day (December 1 to January 6) looks like many other books of this sort. But it's not. Here is a one-word description of the writing: earthy.

Each short daily devotional begins with a passage from one of the Gospels (almost always Luke) and ends with a relevant prayer, poem or hymn. In between, author Walter Wangerin Jr. offers up his interpretation of what the day's Gospel reading means, often in dramatic, deeply descriptive, and bold ways that places the reader in the center of the action. And sometimes that feels a bit uncomfortable because the Advent and Christmas stories aren't always ones of comfort—even if we want them to be.

Wangerin is not only a Lutheran pastor, but also an English professor and the author of more than 30 novels, and this hybrid background is very much apparent in the writing. His meditations feel like stories that are told from the intimate point of view of Mary, Joseph, Zachariah, Elizabeth, the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna—and you've never heard them recounted quite like this.

Even after reading it every day for six weeks, I'm not sure how to describe the book. Theologically, I agree with most of it, and I have to admit the earthy, vivid, storytelling approach made me sit up and pay attention.

Just a thought: This is very much a book for grown-ups and not entirely appropriate for anyone under 12 years old, in case you might want to read this aloud as a family.

[Lmichelleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a beautifully written guide for Advent this year, one I would unhesitatingly recommend to those wanting to pause thoughtfully during Advent and prepare for the celebration of the Incarnation. Walter Wangerin Jr. has a way of getting inside the human thoughts and feelings of each character of the Christmas story and helping me to enter into their experience as well. I plan to read through again next year!

[Tommy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

Beautiful! Wandering writes breathtaking, thoughtful verse and prose that walks us into the joy and depth of the Christmas season. I am thankful to have used his writings as part of my devotional this year. I hope to read more of his other novels.

[Len Knighton · Rating 3 out of 5]

PREPARING FOR JESUS

​This book is a devotional that covers the Advent and Christmas seasons plus the Day of Epiphany. It is to be read one chapter a day and, indeed, that is the best way to read it, as one bounds, skips, crawls, and/or struggles through the holidays. There is encouragement in each.
​Wangerin also displays quite an imagination as he steps beyond the pages of Scripture in describing the characters and events recorded in the Gospels According to Matthew and Luke. Other reviews have criticized him for this. I could add to it but I also realize that preachers, myself included, occasionally take liberties with Scripture in our sermons. When we do, we hope they enhance our listeners’ understanding of the stories and characters. I’m not sure it does in every case here.
Wangerin's chronology is off one day. If one reads a chapter a day as he suggests then the book ends on January 5. He calls The Day of the Epiphany the twelfth day of Christmas but it is actually on January 6, twelve days after Christmas Day.
​Following the lead of my Goodreads friend Diane, I’ve put my favorite lines in the book at the end. To be frank, I’m not sure I would have added any lines but the ones that follow, which are near the end of the book, came to me shortly after I learned that the mother of one of my best friends had just been put into Hospice care. I will be officiating her funeral and I may use these words in the service.

​

And Jesus shall… turn suffering into redemption, and to turn dying into life for the innocents, the Josephs and the Marys. Their dying shall have good company, and then it shall have an end. Go in sweet obedience, my beloved—and though you die, it shall end in life for you.

My God, my Father, make me strong, When tasks of life seem hard and long, To greet them with this triumph song:
Thy will be done.
Draw from my timid eyes the veil To show, where earthly forces fail, Thy power and love must still prevail—
Thy will be done.
With confident and humble mind Freedom in service I would find, Praying through every toil assigned:
Thy will be done.
Things deemed impossible I dare, Thine is the call and Thine the care; Thy wisdom shall the way prepare—
Thy will be done.
All power is here and round me now; Faithful I stand in rule and vow, While ‘tis not I, but ever Thou:
Thy will be done.
Heaven’s music chimes the glad days in; Hope soars beyond death, pain, and sin; Faith shouts in triumph, Love must win— Thy will be done.
(Frederick Mann, 1928)

Wangerin Jr., Walter. Preparing for Jesus (pp. 183-184). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Three stars waxing

[Letty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I was initially excited that this Advent/Christmas devotional went all the way through Epiphany. But there were times when I just wanted it to be over. Then there were times when I was struck by an insight that Wangerin pulled from an otherwise insignificant detail of the story.

A major flaw in the book is the dating of the readings starting on Christmas Day. Christmas Day is the FIRST day of Christmas. Wangerin calls Dec. 26 the first day and everything is off from there, including Jan. 2 falling on the “first day of the calendar year” and then the 12th Day of Christmas falling on Epiphany itself, which is incorrect. Most of it is readable anyway, but some date references within the readings are subsequently off by a day.

Wangerin’s writing style is…odd. It takes some mental work at times to track with him, but most of the time it is worth it. Some of the ancient writings/poems he chose to include were hard to understand or apply, but some were diamonds in the rough. Wangerin spent an inordinate amount of story time on Zechariah, but the insights were interesting. The account of the Birth included some incorrect details (inn and stable) and I could have done without some of the gory details and the word “moist.” (Haha) Another pet peeve of mine that developed was his obsession with the “moist” and “rheumy” eyes of elderly people. Good grief, is that really a necessary detail to camp on? Ugh.

Anyway, overall a decent way to spend the Christmas season, some lessons gleaned, life applications gained. Probably could use some updating to be more accessible to the average reader.

[Lauren Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third time I've read this during Advent, and highly recommend it. It's well-researched and accurately fills in cultural context to the Christmas story, but more importantly is relatable, makes me think in new ways, spurs meditation, and gives fresh meaning and insight to an age-old story. I like that it breaks barriers of the typical cultural telling of the story. E.g. he doesn't pretend the star was a real star, but a convergence of planets. He doesn't pretend there were 3 magi, as the Bible doesn't specify the number. Even so, it doesn't feel like he's bursting the magic of the season, either, but adding new things to wonder at. The wording is a little old-timey if you're used to reading informal texts, but if you can stomach hearing at least one verse from KJV you'll be fine. And Hark! It's Christmas so we are accustomed to more lyrical lines.

[Melissa Snow · Rating 2 out of 5]

This Advent-Epiphany collection of readings has some helpful and inspiring stuff, but it quickly became bogged down by a few elements that made it tedious and iffy. The occasional florid prose becomes just plain hard to follow at times. I didn't like the days when Wangerin talks to biblical figures and conjectures about their experiences. I understand the appeal of being able to see their stories from their own shoes, but it always felt off and not quite right.

I did appreciate that this devotional extended through Epiphany.

[Lindsey Hoobler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid, Scriptural devotional for Advent. I like that it went all the way through the Christmas season and ended on Epiphany. The language but a bit too poetic / flowery for me at times, but overall, it did what I wanted it to do which was to help me focus on Christ at Christmas. I didn’t read it quite every day, hence why I’m finishing it on January 15th :)

[Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and is one I'll read again and again. Wangerin has a way with words that tell the familiar story of the birth of Jesus in a way that makes it real to the point of wonderment at how deep and true the love of God is for all.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair for a Wangerin Book

Loving most of what Walter Wangerin Jr. has produced, I had high expectations for this. It was pretty good but not on the standard I have come to expect from him. Still, I look forward to reading his Lenten work in a month or so. What an author!

[Kyle McFerren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best Advent/Christmas devotional we have found. It starts on December 1st and has a meditation and prayer a day until Epiphany. Theologically deep, beautifully written, and addresses the traditional themes of Advent and Christmas in their appropriate seasons.

[David Campton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally like Wangerin's deceptively simple narrative approach to Biblical exposition, but apart from a couple of factual insights this devotional commentary for the Advent and Christmas season left me somewhat non-plussed. But it's perhaps me this year...

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than the typical advent devotional, I learned new things and gathered new insight into the life of young Jesus. I'll read again.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful advent reading for personal reflection. I'd like to check out his book for lent as well.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would read again.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great.

[Mary Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and it was great.

[Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really important as believers to engage our imaginations, part of the way in which we are made in God's image, as we worship and know Him more deeply.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely: helpful and useful.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most meaningful Advent seasons I’ve had because of this book of meditations. Thoughtful, challenging, and convicting. For me this book will speak to me throughout the year.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit more fanciful than what I'm looking for in an Advent devotional, but some parts were quite good.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the disappointing Watch for the Light by Orbis publishers, I was gun-shy of finding a deep yet meaningful advent book. Wangerin’s book was a wonderful antidote. Not only is he a gifted writer, but he is a deep thinker. Many of the passages in this book left me with my mouth hanging open in sheer amazement at his insights.

The book is divided into sections named after the central characters of the Christmas story: Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, John the Baptist, etc. Each reading focuses on their response as participants in God’s great drama of the incarnation.

Some sample quotes:

On Zechariah being struck dumb: “God, when we encounter him, seems first to do us violence, but the violence is in fact benevolence to us, for God is destroying false gods in order to prepare us to receive him as God alone, and his mercy as the very core of our existence.” (p. 35)

On Elizabeth’s pregnancy: “And this is how mercy always comes to us, isn’t it? - like a baby delivered in old age; the miracle we thought we had outlived, the gift we thought impossible to receive. It always astonishes us.” (p. 89)


I did not like the section of Simeon and Anna because it added too much that is not in Scripture, but I’ll just skip over that bit next year. This is a superbly done devotional book that I look forward to revisiting each Christmas season.

[Paul Dubuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walter Wangerin Jr. has used his wonderful gift writing to give us a series of daily meditations that are a great help in focusing the mind, heart and imagination of the reader on the deepest significance of Christmas. We follow the events of the first Christmas from with scripture accompanied by short writings, poetry and prayer. Wangerin's writing varies between dramatization, exposition and application of the Christmas story to our lives. If you relax and let the author and the Holy Spirit have their way, the book will help you break through the confusion and frenzied cultural activity that often accompany Advent and touch the deeper meaning of the season. It doesn't drop you after Christmas Day but carries you through the 12 days of Christmas, gently releasing you at the beginning of Epiphany. It will leave you feeling like you've been there: at the Manger and help you go and live out the significance of Christ's coming to us in your own life.

I highly recommend this book, I thought it was even more effective than Wangerin's similar--and also very good--book for Lent and Easter, "Reliving the Passion".

[Betsy-Gay Kraft · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can understand why a lot of people like this book. It depends a lot on theology. If you believe that Jesus is God, then you might well enjoy this book. It is pretty well written. But if you believe, as I do, that Jesus is fully human but a channel to God--one who showed by his teachings and life how we can come into communion with God and can allow God to work through us--then this book will not appeal to you.

I was very uncomfortable with most of this text, but I did find some quotes that I liked a lot.

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad this book came across my radar just as I was trying to figure out what Advent study I wanted to read this year. The price was right on Kindle (under $5) so this is what I went with. I really enjoyed Wangerin's journey through the different characters involved in the Christmas story. His reverence for the miracle of Jesus' birth was so wonderfully written. I also liked that this went from the beginning of Advent through to Epiphany.

[Evan Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the seasons of advent, christmastide, and epiphany have grown stale for you at all and you are looking to engage them as true devotional times in the church calendar, try this book. Excellent! You know that WW will always write something of beauty that is from the heart, but this one is also very well researched. Read it next year.

[Ann Hein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time I've read this as a daily devotional. Better this time than the first. Gave me something to ponder every day. He writes from the viewpoint of those involved at the time of Christ's birth.

Now I've read it a third time. A wonderful way to spend Advent, preparing for Christmas, celebrating the 12 days of Christmas, with the last meditation on Epiphany.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I Like: Advent + Epiphany. Different from other Advent devotionals I've read in a way that really makes me think about this season and meditate. A nice slow read through the portions of Scripture that retell the story. Alternate styles and approaches between the days also help to keep me from surface reading without thinking it through. This is a deep one!

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Wangerin's writing and like this little book which takes the reader from Advent through Epiphany. One thing I appreciate is the inclusion of the Bible passage at the beginning of each day's meditation so you don't have to keep a separate Bible along side to look up Scripture passages.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful journey through Advent and the 12 days of Christmas to Epiphany. Scripture, song, poetry both ancient and new. Wangerin's language gave me new perspective and insights into the nativity story.