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Advent: a thread in the night
Somehow Advent is the indwelling of hope from carnage, the blooming of possibility from scorched earth. - E.M. Welcher
Praise for Advent: a thread in the night:
"Ours is a culture that contracts feeling to a small range of superficial and acceptable affections. So we spend much of our life shrunken, shriveled, less alive than we ought to be. The tragedy of that is we spend much of our lives unprepared for Advent. Unready for inbreaking of so much feeling of so many varieties. Evan Welcher guides us through darkness, through feelings we don’t name at dinner parties or even in counseling sessions. He opens us up to ourselves and in doing so opens us up to the glorious good news of Advent. We feel again. We feel a lot. We feel God’s presence. Be prepared to feel when you read this collection.
-Thabiti Anyabwile Pastor, Anacostia River Church (Washington, DC)
“Evan captures grief and hope in a beautiful tension as he allows us a glimpse into his story and a grand view of Christ’s.”
-Quina Aragon, author & spoken word artist
"The great human desire is to find purpose in the midst of suffering. The Christian story declares God breaks into our dark nights and suffers alongside of us - taking on flesh, blood, and tears. Welcher is our guide on his personal journey--chronicling death and grief-- while discovering afresh the hope of the Resurrection and the power of Advent. Read, weep, and, in the process, rediscover hope."
-Steve Bezner, pastor at Houston Northwest Church
"With the sanctuary lights darkened, Christian worshipers cling to their candles on Christmas Eve. In this moment, the sadness of how broken things are is caught up in the joy of what was and what will be. In Advent, a Thread in the Night, E.M. Welcher invites the reader to walk alongside him in a journey of grief, loss, and hope. Grounded in Scripture, each daily reflection is an opportunity to explore our own griefs as we await the joy of Resurrection."
-April Fiet, pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Scottsbluff
Praise for Advent: a thread in the night:
"Ours is a culture that contracts feeling to a small range of superficial and acceptable affections. So we spend much of our life shrunken, shriveled, less alive than we ought to be. The tragedy of that is we spend much of our lives unprepared for Advent. Unready for inbreaking of so much feeling of so many varieties. Evan Welcher guides us through darkness, through feelings we don’t name at dinner parties or even in counseling sessions. He opens us up to ourselves and in doing so opens us up to the glorious good news of Advent. We feel again. We feel a lot. We feel God’s presence. Be prepared to feel when you read this collection.
-Thabiti Anyabwile Pastor, Anacostia River Church (Washington, DC)
“Evan captures grief and hope in a beautiful tension as he allows us a glimpse into his story and a grand view of Christ’s.”
-Quina Aragon, author & spoken word artist
"The great human desire is to find purpose in the midst of suffering. The Christian story declares God breaks into our dark nights and suffers alongside of us - taking on flesh, blood, and tears. Welcher is our guide on his personal journey--chronicling death and grief-- while discovering afresh the hope of the Resurrection and the power of Advent. Read, weep, and, in the process, rediscover hope."
-Steve Bezner, pastor at Houston Northwest Church
"With the sanctuary lights darkened, Christian worshipers cling to their candles on Christmas Eve. In this moment, the sadness of how broken things are is caught up in the joy of what was and what will be. In Advent, a Thread in the Night, E.M. Welcher invites the reader to walk alongside him in a journey of grief, loss, and hope. Grounded in Scripture, each daily reflection is an opportunity to explore our own griefs as we await the joy of Resurrection."
-April Fiet, pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Scottsbluff
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 29, 2020
This is an Advent book, meant to be read daily through the month of December. And I really did intend to wait, really, but here I am on a September evening where I read the whole thing in one sitting, with tears in my eyes. This author’s words of longing and hope and grief and healing were just the salve I needed—in September, and December, and April, and ALL THE TIMES. I’ll pick it back up again often.
September 29, 2020
Very few writers stir a longing within me for resurrection like Evan Welcher. Anything he writes is worth infinitely more than you will ever pay for it. And this book is a masterwork. Buy 5 copies and share them with those who are walking with Jesus in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
November 29, 2020
I read this thread last year on Twitter, bawling my way through the month of December. Entries like the end of the 3rd - "His sheep hear His voice. He still remembers where each one is buried." - left me sobbing intermittently for the rest of the day.
This thread was raw. It was broken and choppy and so achingly painful to read. Evan let us into the deep recesses of losing his beloved wife. You almost felt like a trespasser to his grief, but at the same time he gave you words for the screams you couldn't force past your own throat.
At the same time, you saw Jesus. "Immanuel" has always been my favorite name for Christ, and I meditate upon it often. "God with us", God incarnate, God in mortal flesh, our God who was "pleased with man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel."
Evan takes the meaning of why Christ came, lets us feel all the weight of our grief, and then shines upon it the Light of the World. Christmas cannot be felt apart from death; we are not human if we try to pretend that there is only the excitement of the Birth, and none of the knowledge of suffering. We can't celebrate the Cross only at Easter, because death is always a constant as long as we are mortal. But Hope is something we can always know; Hope is something that will never betray us.
Hope is Immanuel; Hope is the birth of a baby. Hope is the defeat of death. Hope is knowing that we meet Him immediately after death, and then that our resurrected bodies will be restored at the end of all things.
Hope is what this the thread will imprint upon your soul. Weep. Grieve. Rejoice. Believe.
Read through it again and again and again through the very darkest parts of the night - for morning, Hope, Immanuel, has come, and will come again.
This thread was raw. It was broken and choppy and so achingly painful to read. Evan let us into the deep recesses of losing his beloved wife. You almost felt like a trespasser to his grief, but at the same time he gave you words for the screams you couldn't force past your own throat.
At the same time, you saw Jesus. "Immanuel" has always been my favorite name for Christ, and I meditate upon it often. "God with us", God incarnate, God in mortal flesh, our God who was "pleased with man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel."
Evan takes the meaning of why Christ came, lets us feel all the weight of our grief, and then shines upon it the Light of the World. Christmas cannot be felt apart from death; we are not human if we try to pretend that there is only the excitement of the Birth, and none of the knowledge of suffering. We can't celebrate the Cross only at Easter, because death is always a constant as long as we are mortal. But Hope is something we can always know; Hope is something that will never betray us.
Hope is Immanuel; Hope is the birth of a baby. Hope is the defeat of death. Hope is knowing that we meet Him immediately after death, and then that our resurrected bodies will be restored at the end of all things.
Hope is what this the thread will imprint upon your soul. Weep. Grieve. Rejoice. Believe.
Read through it again and again and again through the very darkest parts of the night - for morning, Hope, Immanuel, has come, and will come again.
December 8, 2023
This is my second year with this Advent devotional, and it was just as impactful this time around. Welcher speaks of the darkness of the Advent season and the hope we have in the coming Light. He acknowledges the darkness and pain of this world by sharing his own story of darkness and pain, but always points to the hope to come.
December 1, 2020
Grieving my cousin, seeing the darkness around, and waiting for Jesus... I needed this book.
December 26, 2024
Amen. Amen. Amen.
I read "Advent, a Thread in the Night" in one sitting but will be using it daily as well. It brings heavy, thick comfort (like I imagine a weighted blanket feels). As I read, my heart and eyes were swollen with the weight of current earthly pains and the hope of future resurrection glory. Welcher reminds us that grief and hope in/longing for the resurrection are not at odds with each other but are instead deeply intertwined and complementary. As Christians looking forward to the second Advent we should be the most honest about both the brokenness we experience as well as the hope we have in the coming Christ and in this book, Welcher models this with humility, and authenticity. This book is a gift to weary hearts.
I read "Advent, a Thread in the Night" in one sitting but will be using it daily as well. It brings heavy, thick comfort (like I imagine a weighted blanket feels). As I read, my heart and eyes were swollen with the weight of current earthly pains and the hope of future resurrection glory. Welcher reminds us that grief and hope in/longing for the resurrection are not at odds with each other but are instead deeply intertwined and complementary. As Christians looking forward to the second Advent we should be the most honest about both the brokenness we experience as well as the hope we have in the coming Christ and in this book, Welcher models this with humility, and authenticity. This book is a gift to weary hearts.
December 15, 2021
I really loved this book. It is a book of short poems mostly about Evan's grief of losing his first wife to cancer. It is filled with raw honesty and yet full of resurrection hope.
It is meant to be read as Advent devotionals. I tried to only read one a day, but I eventually had to break down and read the rest. It works perfectly as Advent reading, but it could be read any time during the year.
I think even those who are turned off by poetry will be drawn in. Evan's poetry is simple and honest. The beauty is in the simplicity and profoundness of a few simple words here and there. I continually had to but the book down and weep, or just stare off in the distance reflecting on his words.
It is meant to be read as Advent devotionals. I tried to only read one a day, but I eventually had to break down and read the rest. It works perfectly as Advent reading, but it could be read any time during the year.
I think even those who are turned off by poetry will be drawn in. Evan's poetry is simple and honest. The beauty is in the simplicity and profoundness of a few simple words here and there. I continually had to but the book down and weep, or just stare off in the distance reflecting on his words.
November 9, 2024
Unfortunately, this is a bad Advent devotional. Because you really don't want to put it down each day.
I first came across Evan on Twitter probably a decade ago. At that time I knew him as that young, poetic pastor whose wife had passed. I recently began following him again and it's a joy to see him married with two children.
In this book, the light of the gospel shines bright in the midst of the darkness of grief. And in that, it is a great Advent devotional. "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned."
I first came across Evan on Twitter probably a decade ago. At that time I knew him as that young, poetic pastor whose wife had passed. I recently began following him again and it's a joy to see him married with two children.
In this book, the light of the gospel shines bright in the midst of the darkness of grief. And in that, it is a great Advent devotional. "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned."
November 30, 2020
This book is so good. It was recommended to read through the whole thing and then on Dec 1 start it one day at a time, and I’m so glad I did. Through personal story and reflection and poetry Welcher perfectly captures the dark ache of advent and the persistent, ragged hope in the meantime. I loved it.
December 25, 2020
This book is a gift
December 7, 2022
I told myself I would try and digest this book slowly… Page after page I attempted to read with dry eyes. Alas, I failed.
December 10, 2020
I loved this. Part poetry, part Advent devotional. Deeply, guttingly Christian. Full of hope.
December 24, 2020
As Advent is, from dark to light. Well done devotional with brief gospel reminders each day.
February 7, 2021
Simple, quiet book that was like a weighted blanket for my soul. Will put away until advent season next winter and remember The Light is coming.
December 6, 2023
Half poetry and half memoir, I admittedly preferred the poetry and opted to read the book in one sitting vs spreading throughout December.
November 8, 2020
A seemingly easy read but packed with big feelings. Easily read in one sitting, but I’m looking forward to going back through it and pausing to make notes and jot down my own thoughts and feelings.
September 1, 2021
"To the Fellowship of the Suffering -
Hold on, Beloved.
Resurrection Day Approaches."
Often more pastoral than poetic, this short work is a shared waiting, an invitation to join together, huddled for warmth through our winter aches that long for light. It is the suffering extending fellowship to the suffering, uplifting the weary with hope, that strength which endures the long night.
Hold on, Beloved.
Resurrection Day Approaches."
Often more pastoral than poetic, this short work is a shared waiting, an invitation to join together, huddled for warmth through our winter aches that long for light. It is the suffering extending fellowship to the suffering, uplifting the weary with hope, that strength which endures the long night.
December 7, 2020
In this book of short daily devotionals for the month of December, Evan shares, in free verse, glimpses of his first wife’s illness & death, set in the context of Advent waiting & hope. Not in the slightest bit preachy or didactic, he just sets grief & hope side by side each day. Evan is one of my favorite tweeters & writers to follow as he so graciously refuses to downplay the grievous things, but he likewise insists on hope in Jesus.
December 1, 2020
This is an advent book like no other. Evan takes us on a journey, sharing his story of his wife's cancer & death, handing us a thread to follow through waiting and suffering and the hope of resurrection. It brought me to tears many times.
December 28, 2020
This slim little book gently walks you through grief and mourning in the Advent season. The month I read it, my husband lost his father, and this book helped remind me to cling to hope despite the sorrow and pain. Jesus is coming.
November 30, 2021
A guiding light in grief, through wait, toward expectation. Welcher is honest, eloquent, and earthy. I couldn’t read one selection a day; I wasn’t able to put it down from the time I first picked it up.
December 29, 2021
Welcher does a fantastic job digging into heartbreak and grief on earth and how it should continually point us to the light that has come and will come again. I will certainly be reading it again for Christmas to come!
December 8, 2020
I read it rather quickly. It is rather thought-provoking.
January 3, 2021
An important look at the mixed emotions leading up to Christmas as we celebrate and grieve the already not yet.
December 24, 2021
An incredibly beautiful and poignant journey through the Advent season.
December 24, 2021
3.5… an advent devotional from a grieving husband for a weary world in need of rejoicing.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews