From Publishers Weekly
It's hard to go wrong with 40 essays and poems from theological writers such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dorothy Day, Madeleine L'Engle, Martin Luther, Kathleen Norris, Henri Nouwen, Philip Yancey, Karl Barth and Síren Kierkegaard. These are not frivolous, feel-good Advent readings; they are deep, sometimes jarring reflections, many with a strong orientation toward social justice (other authors include liberationists Leonardo Boff, Gustavo Guti‚rrez and Oscar Romero). "The love that descended to Bethlehem is not the easy sympathy of an avuncular God, but a burning fire whose light chases away every shadow, floods every corner, and turns midnight into noon," explain the editors. This collection, born of obvious passion and graced with superb writing, is a welcome even necessary addition to the glutted holiday bookshelves. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
During the hectic weeks before Christmas, Christians of every persuasion long to turn inward and prepare their hearts for Christ's coming. Though believers the world over make yearly preparations for Lent, there's a conspicuous lack of good books for that other great spiritual season: Advent. All the same, this four-week period leading up to December 25 is making a comeback as growing numbers of people reject the shopping mall frenzy. This unique collection brings together Advent meditations from favorite classic and contemporary spiritual writers. Ecumenical in scope, these 40 essays and poems celebrate the miracle of Christ's birth, and infuse it with rich meaning for today. Whether dipped into at leisure or used for daily devotions, they guide the reader into deeper dimensions of Christmas joy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Though Christians the world over make yearly preparations for Lent, there￯﾿ﾽs a conspicuous lack of good books for that other great spiritual season: Advent. All the same, this four-week period leading up to December 25 is making a comeback as growing numbers reject shopping mall frenzy and look for alternatives.

Providing a rare break from the most popular holi-day themes ￯﾿ﾽ gift giving, recipes, carols, and other traditions ￯﾿ﾽ this volume examines the deeper meanings of the season and some of the questions they raise. What does it mean that God took on a human form? That Mary believed? That Christ came down to earth, and will one day come again?

Ecumenical in scope, these 50 devotions invite the reader to contemplate the great themes of Christmas and the significance that the coming of light into darkness has for each of us ￯﾿ﾽ not only during Advent, but every day. Whether dipped into at leisure or used on a daily basis, Watch for the Light gives the phrase ￯﾿ﾽholiday preparations￯﾿ﾽ new depth and meaning.

Includes writings by Kathleen Norris, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Annie Dillard, John Donne, Meister Eckhart, Dorothy Day, T. S. Eliot, Gustavo Gutierrez, Eberhard Arnold, G. M. Hopkins, C. S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, Martin Luther, Henri Nouwen, Edith Stein, Thomas Aquinas, Dorothee Soelle, Philip Yancey, and others.

SYNOPSIS

Experience Christmas like never before with this popular new collection from great spiritual writers and poets.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly