Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen: Daily Scripture and Prayers together with Nouwen's Own Words

Our online group used it for a study. It has a short reading from Henri Nouwen's writings, a verse or verses from the Bible, a short prayer, and an action you can take.FYI: It has a few Catholic teachings in some of the days related to Mary. But the study would be helpful to anyone who wants to focus on Jesus during the holidays.

This book is just right for me and I imagine for anyone who wants to keep Advent in their lives but doesn't have much time. There is a brief, usually pithy meditation, a short passage from the Bible, a prayer, and then a suggestion for action. Two pages per day. I can easily read it with my morning coffee between dropping kids off at school, and starting work.

Enjoying the wisdom the book brings

The works and writings of Henri Nouwen are always inspirational and thought provoking. The short devotionals based on his writings are a wonderful tool in celebrating the Advent season.

This year my husband and I decided to engage the Advent and Christmas season more intentionally, and found this book on a search through Amazon. We are both huge fans of Nouwen's writings already, and so this book seemed like it would be a perfect fit.It was.We found that reading it at the dinner table each night after lighting our Advent wreath was a wonderful way to pause the day and remember why this season is so important.What we loved about the book:- It's a very short reading, taking us less than 5 minutes each night at dinner.- There is both a spiritual and practical portion of the daily reading, which gave us fodder for good conversation and thought.- There is also a prayer with each reading, which we found to be well-written and engaging.- There are readings for both the Advent & Christmas seasons.What we didn't love about the book:- There were some days that seemed to lean more towards Catholic theology (in regards to Mary). We are not Catholic and so these days didn't strike us as poignantly as others. However, they were still good reading and thought-provoking.Overall, HIGHLY recommend this as part of your Advent and Christmas journey!

I have been aware of Nouwen for quite a while. I have been doing Bible studies and Advent and Lenten studies for well over 35 years as a lay person. This is a daily study and I find Nouwen's insights refreshing and thus invigorating. I select this over two or three ofther Advent studies. Looking forward to delving into it 110% the Monday after Christmas. Excellent, daily Advent Study that carries you beyond Christmas.

Henri J.M. Nouwen's Advent and Christmas Wisdom is this years' selection for advent and I am enjoying it. It is concise yet thought provoking. Each day begins with a passage from Nouwen, continues with an excerpt from scripture, a prayer and an activity. The activity is doable, such as listening to Christmas chant or staying up later in watchful waiting. The book is organized by the day (not date) and provides 12 additional passages, etc. to continue to Epiphany.

Some of the readings are more illuminating than others. But a good companion nevertheless for the season of Christmas.Does anyone know the artist for the nativity scene on the book cover?

Good reflections from Henri Nouwen and easy to use. Liked Prayer section. Found activity section a bit discoonected at times like it was an add on.

Nice reflections. However, I thought it was a book written by Henri Nouwen. I didn't realise it was only some excerpts from his writings. Nevertheless, it's a good book to buy for Advent meditations.

As an Henri Nouwen 'fan' I was not disapppointed in this compilation for Advent. I would unreservedly recommend this book.

Not my favorite Nouwen.

Good old Henri. Another good book