Waiting For Christ

by John Henry Newman, Christopher O. Blum (Editor)

Blessed John Henry Newman was one of the most beloved and well-known preachers of his time. Originally an Anglican priest, Newman converted to Catholicism and became a Catholic priest and cardinal. Known for his beautiful prose and exultant preaching, Newman has long been a source of inspiration for those in the Church. In this new and compact compilation of his sermons, you're invited to journey with Bl. John Henry Newman through Advent into Christmas and Epiphany, meditating on the coming of Christ and the Christian life. Newman's masterful knowledge of the lives of the saints, Catholic doctrine, and, above all, Sacred Scripture, will help you immerse yourself in these liturgical seasons of waiting, wondering, and joy. These beautiful meditations guide you through reflections - Preparing for the Lord s coming at Christmas and the end of time
- Our dependence upon the Lord s goodness
- What happens when we do not seek truth
- Mary s role in salvation history
- God s call for each and every one of us to holiness
- Glorifying God in the world
- True joy
- Martyrdom, affliction, and consolation
- Love as the one thing needful
Waiting for Christ provides an opportunity to spend a few minutes with Bl. John Henry Newman and Christ every day of the Advent and Christmas seasons, preparing for the coming of the Lord.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Christian, Christmas, Spirituality, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

Published October 9, 2018

About the author

Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman was an important figure in the religious history of England in the 19th century. He was known nationally by the mid-1830s.
Originally an evangelical Oxford University academic and priest in the Church of England, Newman then became drawn to the high-church tradition of Anglicanism. He became known as a leader of, and an able polemicist for, the Oxford Movement, an influential and controversial grouping of Anglicans who wished to return to the Church of England many Catholic beliefs and liturgical rituals from before the English Reformation. In this the movement had some success. However, in 1845 Newman, joined by some but not all of his followers, left the Church of England and his teaching post at Oxford University and was received into the Catholic Church. He was quickly ordained as a priest and continued as an influential religious leader, based in Birmingham. In 1879, he was created a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in recognition of his services to the cause of the Catholic Church in England. He was instrumental in the founding of the Catholic University of Ireland, which evolved into University College Dublin, today the largest university in Ireland.

Newman was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 September 2010 during his visit to the United Kingdom. He was then canonised by Pope Francis on 13 October 2019.

Newman was also a literary figure of note: his major writings including the Tracts for the Times (1833–1841), his autobiography Apologia Pro Vita Sua (1865–66), the Grammar of Assent (1870), and the poem The Dream of Gerontius (1865),[6] which was set to music in 1900 by Edward Elgar. He wrote the popular hymns "Lead, Kindly Light" and "Praise to the Holiest in the Height" (taken from Gerontius).

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was really hard to rate. The content was excellent. The thoughts and information were so important, however, it was so far above my understanding in many places. If you are looking for an easy read, this is not it. It was hard to read and understand, but if you have the time and understanding of Christology you will love this book.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really wonderful little book consisting of selections from Bl. Cardinal Newman’s sermons for each day of Advent and Christmas. These not only served as spot-on seasonal reflections, but also included a lot of important points I anticipate coming back to throughout the year. They are excerpts rather than full sermons, but I think the editor did an excellent job, as they make complete points and it’s not obvious that things are missing. This collection has been a great asset to me over the last month or so, and also makes me even more determined than I already was to go through some of Bl. Newman’s full sermons.

[Lara Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an edited collection of excerpts from some of Newman's Advent and Christmas sermons, with a sermon for each day of Advent and Christmastide. It was recommended to me at my parish bookstore and I am so glad I picked it up. Each sermon is the perfect length for daily devotional reading. Yes, sometimes the sermons need to be read twice over for the meaning to be fully impressed, but far from blaming this on complicated language, I instead basked in the richness to be found in each word. I heartily recommend this to any Catholic/Christian hoping to enter more deeply into the season of Advent. Newman's reflections will certainly lift your gaze to heaven, and fill your heart with peace, joy, wonder, awe, and a spirit of thanksgiving.

[Daniel Millard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series of collected reflections from Bl. John Henry Newman for the season. His tone is one of both severity and wonder, and his wisdom from the late 19th century applies quite perfectly to that of the early 21st.

The topics and subjects are too broad to summarize, but I thought these reflections quite fitting for the season of Advent and Christmas both - and really an excellent set of daily reminders and meditations if one can keep on top of them.

I'd like to re-read this with better diligence in the future.

[Anthony Smitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book with great sections of homilies and writings by St. John Henry Newman. I found it easy to understand and approachable; a few chapters were more dense than others, so I had to read them twice; however, at an average of 4 pages per chapter, it was a quick reread. I would recommend this book to anyone!

[Felix Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my introduction to anything written by Blessed John Henry Newman. A great little book for meditation for Advent and Christmas. I plan to read other books written by this admirable teacher. I hope they publish a similar book for Lent and Easter.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book throughout Advent and Christmas. He is very wordy and my kids didn't especially like it when I used it for the evening Advent devotion, but I found it wonderful.

Another book that makes you think about how you're walking your faith.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good meditations, but the language is a bit lofty at times. I sometimes needed to reread a chapter 2 or 3 times.

I tried to summarize each day's readings for my moms group, which is really the reason I needed to fully comprehend it! Doing so did help me to understand it, though.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful way to stay focused during Advent and Christmas with wisdom from one of our newest Saints!

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy reading this. If your a scholar or theologian it might be insightful for you. However, I personally didn't take away anything meaningful to me from this book.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for prayer through advent and Christmas.

[Steve H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be easy to digest. Each daily passage was the perfect length and very thought provoking and inspirational

[Renee Torina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful Advent and Christmas journey. I think it will be great to read it again next year!!

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed many of the short, edited reflections for a daily meditation.

Looking forward to the Lenten Tears of Christ.