Wounded in Spirit: Advent Art and Meditations: A 25-Day Illustrated Advent Devotional for the Grieving with Scriptures and Stories Drawn from the Works and Lives of Artists, Poets, and Theologians

by David Bannon, Philip Yancey (Foreword)

Christmas can be a time of joy but also of tears, memory and prayer. Celebration does not always come easily.

In twenty-five illustrated daily readings we commune with Scripture and the wounded artists that gave the world masterpieces of hope: Gauguin, Tissot, Caravaggio, Tanner, Delacroix, van Gogh, Dürer. We’ve heard the names. We recognize the paintings. But do we know the artists? They were flawed and often troubled people: a widower that saw a vision of Christ; a murderer who painted himself as Peter; a grieving father that drew his sons as Jesus and John; an orphan who saw his salvation in the Holy Family. Despite their wounds—perhaps because of them—these artists achieved the sublime. Their humanity inspires us. Based on the latest research in history and grief, Wounded in Spirit returns us to where Christian art began. From mourning in Roman catacombs to works of the masters, we join the world’s great religious artists on their pilgrimages of hope and brokenness. In their wounds, in our wounds, we may once again encounter “God with us.”

Genres: Christmas, Christian, Devotional, Spirituality, Art

176 pages, Hardcover

Published October 30, 2018

About the author

David Bannon taught college for many years and publishes on art, history, culture, translation and grief. He has appeared on The Discovery Channel, A&E, and The History Channel and has been interviewed by NPR, Fox News and The Wall Street Journal. He has lectured at libraries and museums and was curator of Asian art for the Florence Museum of Art and History in South Carolina. He is a member of the Rückert Society in Schweinfurt, Germany and a former member of the American Translators Association (ATA) and the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA). David’s daughter, Jessica, died in 2015. He and his wife currently live in South Carolina.

Reviews

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an expensive and beautiful book with rich color plates and a nice ribbon to keep your place. The paper is high quality and it is simply lovely. The theme is much different from the usual Advent fare. In a sense it is about suffering. It is about the art of Advent and the church through the ages through the eyes of wounded men. Most of the artists represented in this book lost a child or a family member along the way. The book touches on the depth of sorrow and its manifestation in the art of Advent. It is a stark reminder that Christ was born into a real world full of suffering and longing and not a pretend romantic world. Perhaps that means this book is not for everyone, but if you do find yourself sometimes suffering with loss during the holiday season you will probably appreciate the depth and beauty of this volume.

[Rebekah Barkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed in this season. The art is beautifully compiled and the writings on grief and suffering tie together in a way I’ve never experienced with the hope and expectation of Jesus coming in the Advent season.

[Michele Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In just a few days, we’ll begin the season of Advent. Even if you don’t observe much else on the liturgical calendar, it’s hard to avoid the on-ramp to Christmas. Instead of counting shopping days and check marks on my do-list, my practice has been to think of Advent as a time of preparation for the celebration of Jesus’s birth. There’s no magic formula for this. When my sons were all young and enthusiastic (and boisterous!), we did a daily project: baking together, crafting an ornament, visiting a nursing home, or even bailing out of the homeschool schedule early and reading big stacks of Christmas books. We’ve looked at Old Testament prophecies and thought about the message of the angel, the response of the shepherds, and the visitation of the mysterious magi. Advent puts time on our side for more in depth teaching than can ever happen in a quick read through of Luke 2 on Christmas eve.

One component of Advent that seems to get lost in the tinsel is the recognition that Jesus had a very somber and serious reason for showing up all pink and newborn in that Bethlehem manger. He would grow up to bear our griefs and to carry our sorrows, to be wounded and bruised so that we could know healing and peace. From time to time all of us feel the dissonance of Christmas joy alongside regular old December stress, and to varying degrees our own experiences have confirmed that Simeon’s prophecy of a heart-piercing sword is not the only evidence that the Incarnation started out tinged with blood.

David Bannon is a grieving father who knows the bitter taste of disappointment–with life, and with himself. He was convicted of felony charges in 2006, and, then, in January of 2015 his twenty-six year old daughter died of a fentanyl-laced heroin overdose. He found his way back into a true and heartfelt celebration of Christmas by embracing the grief as well as the solace expressed in Christian art. The result is Wounded in Spirit: Advent Art and Meditations, a collection of twenty-five meditations based on paintings that become devotional in nature as they “convey truth rather than arguing for it.” (xi)

Leaning into the joy as well as the sorrow during Advent prepares the heart for a celebration of Christ’s birth that is rooted in hope. Since “grief can ruin or mature us,” (11) there is wisdom in bringing it out into the open to do its work, and Bannon employs a palette of Scripture references, quotations from great literature, and images of masterpieces from a collection of flawed, troubled, and wildly talented artists in his creation of twenty-five meditations to carry the pause of communion through the season of Advent.

Wounded in Spirit: Advent Art and Meditations, is a guide for those who, perhaps, would not appreciate a more traditional approach to Advent, but who would find companionship in the healing knowledge that they do not suffer alone.

Many thanks to Paraclete Press for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review which has been offered, of course, freely and with honesty.

[Benjamin Lawrence Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting book. A wonderful companion on the Advent journey. A unique look at Advent through the eyes of those who have been wounded by grief.

Not my favorite advent devo but one I will return too.

[Jeffrey Schallick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique and moving for both what it does and does not bring to the table, this book is a refreshing and excellent read for advent. Unlike most advent books with clean and conclusive devotionals, this book is more of a springboard for meditation through basic title themes, brief scripture, and its primary strength, the artwork and its artist's story. With tackling the difficult topic of sorrow that always seems to be exacerbated during the holiday season, leaving behind the typical clean and neat devotional model was ideal. It set this book up to truly help and comfort those struggling with sorrow, especially those who have lost loved ones, where easy answers and platitudes often do more harm than good.
Offering up the story behind the various featured paintings also added a new depth and meaning to each work, allowing the reader to connect with art in ways they may have struggled before. Despite its focus on such a hard topic, this book manages to offer healing and hope, whether directly through its written words or the meditation it so easily inspires. For those weighed down and struggling with sorrow or simply learning how to not be afraid of such a prevalent state, this book is a great read to begin to process that sorrow. In that process, it allows those entering advent to seek a deeper connection with God in light of the world's brokenness that the lights and joys of Christmas cannot always mend.

[Bill Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The format of the book is amazing. Art, meaning, scripture and quotes. However, the notes and bibliography were the most helpful to me.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the art and the introduction to new to me artists. But would have liked deeper spiritual content. But the art!

[Joy Matteson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful Advent art collection for meditation. I loved every page.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book invites the reader to think about faith and loss using the lives and art of 25 different painters as a lens. Points of thought are sharpened or turned by quotes/poetry after each biography. I found the book both interesting and comforting; grief is usually not so openly acknowledged.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was filled with lovely masterpieces, and the stories of loss regarding the artists who created them. The artwork was beautiful to behold and the backstory was meaningful and deeply moving. One challenge I had with the book was its references to artwork that was not featured in the book. This made thoroughly being immersed difficult for me, as I either had to peruse the internet or I had to simply gloss over that section of the artist’s work. Given the abundance of quotes in the book and duplicate artwork (small snippets of paintings that accompanied quotes and verses), I would prefer to see more art and reframe the quotes to visually engage the reader more thoroughly in the topic at hand (missing masterpieces).

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reeeeally like this Advent set of devotions. It’s thoughtful, well put together, and encouraging. Defo one I’ll revisit when it’s actually, you know, Advent. 😂😂

I do wish it had been a bit clearer when referencing paintings not featured in the book (versus ones that were). I kept flipping back and forth only to find that some mentioned weren’t pictured. Even an asterisk or something could subtly but easily assist with this.

But, my European Studies-major mind is still very happy with it. 😍 It truly unites several of my passions (Europe, history, art, and of course, faith) into one book.

[Sherry Elmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 comment:

I think I liked this book even better this year than I did last. It is definitely one that is worth rereading each Advent season. In fact, it would be well worth the time to read at any time of year. After all, we are in a perpetual advent, waiting for Christ's return!




2019:
This is a beautiful collection of art, poetry, meditations, and quotations about suffering and hope, loss and Advent. I loved the artwork that was chosen and wish there could have been more. It was the right book for me this season.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just 13 days in and I’m all the feels. Each day I connect with something. From Millets Angleus to meeting new artist Juan Baptist Simeon Chardin. This has been a journey that I’m taking with many friends. Well worth an Advent journey.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

My pick for Advent 2018. Read my preview on my blog: https://thoughtsprayersandsongs.com/2...

[Lmichelleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a different kind of advent book, but in a good way. Part mini bios of artists, with many moving selections of their works, and part treatise on finding joy in the midst of pain and sorrow. There was an especial focus on bereaved parents. I'll return to this book again other years I'm sure, probably not even at advent.

[Stacy Deyerle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and unique advent devotional. However, many paintings are referenced in the text which are not shown, which I found disruptive. Also, there was more focus on the psychology of grief than on scripture and the advent season, which was disappointing.

[Sharon Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book for anyone struggling with emotions of loss and grief as they approach Advent. There are twenty-five beautiful reflections. Each day looks at a different artist and illustrates one or two of their paintings and an often poignant message, from the life story of the artists themselves. The author uses quotations from 'great thinkers' of the past to add to the depth of the reflection. The work of the artists through the painful, brokenness of their lives is inspirational to all!

[Stacy Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent. I began this book during Advent in a terrible time of my life and read it slowly and deeply over a period of a few years. That terrible time has passed, but alas, when you are a mom, there is always more wounding. When you love deeply, you will be wounded. Wounding and redemption. I especially loved the very last entry which spoke of the artist who after losing 4 or his 5 children, still found joy every single day in painting.

[Danielle Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books that merge art and meditation really speak to me. I appreciated that this book took a different angle to approach Advent, one of deep sorrow and ultimately hope. The physical book was very nice quality with beautifully printed art prints. The selection of featured artists was of a nice variety and exposed me to quite a few of which I had never heard of.

[Rosie Gearhart · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 This is a gorgeous book, but I found myself enjoying the quotes and poems at the end of each day’s reading more than the reading itself. Lots of speculation about the internal feelings of the artists.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

One to own

[Cindy Costanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated with scripture based works of art and the descriptions of lives of the artists who created them. The book deals with grief during the time of Advent and how each of these artists death with their own grief through their artistic expression. Throughout, it contains quotes from researchers about the grief process, and especially how parents grieve the loss of a child as did most of these artists. Beautiful to read and process. I especially recommend for those who do not "feel" like celebrating Christmas in traditional ways due to the loss of a loved one.

I read this book again for the 2nd year in a row. It is just as meaningful this year as last and I will re-read it every year during Advent.