Expecting Emmanuel: Eight Women Who Prepared the Way (An Advent Devotional) - Softcover

Harader, Joanna

  • 4.11 out of 5 stars
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9781513810553: Expecting Emmanuel: Eight Women Who Prepared the Way (An Advent Devotional)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 1513810553 ISBN 13: 9781513810553
Publisher: Herald Press, 2022

Synopsis

Journey through Advent and Christmas with the women of Jesus’ family line.

Christmas is about so much more than twinkle lights, sugar cookies, and perfect family photos. It’s about the world-changing, transforming, and sometimes messy reality of “God with us.” As we dive deep into the biblical accounts of Jesus’ female ancestors and reflect on God’s presence in their complicated lives, we can begin to release our expectations of a “perfect Christmas” and instead seek the experience of a holy season.

Through invitational spiritual practices and reflections, this daily devotional centers the stories of five women in Jesus’ genealogy—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary—plus three additional female figures connected to Jesus’ early life in the days leading up to Epiphany. You will also find resources for exploring the lives of these women in worship, small group, and retreat settings. This Advent and Christmas season, step into the true power of the Incarnation as we journey together to the manger and encounter the omnipotent God who has come to us in the vulnerable Christ-child.

​Original artwork by Michelle Burkholder

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Authors

Rev. Joanna Harader is the author of Expecting Emmanuel and frequently posts words for worship on her blog, Spacious Faith. Her liturgies have been published in the Voices Together hymnal and are used in churches of various denominations. She has written for publications such as Leader magazine, ShineSunday School curriculum, and Christian Century. Joanna serves as pastor of Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton, Kansas.


Michelle Burkholder serves as the associate pastor of Hyattsville (MD) Mennonite Church and is a practicing visual artist. One of Michelle’s paper cutout pieces, Loaves and Fishes, can be found in the Voices Together hymnal. After studying art and theater at Eastern Mennonite University, Michelle went on to study the intersections of theology and the arts at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. The connections between art, faith, and spirituality fill Michelle with wonder, curiosity, and joy.

From the Back Cover

Journey through Advent and Christmas with the women of Jesus’ family line.

Christmas is about so much more than twinkle lights, sugar cookies, and perfect family photos. It’s about the world-changing, transforming, and sometimes messy reality of “God with us.” As we dive deep into the biblical accounts of Jesus’ female ancestors and reflect on God’s presence in their complicated lives, we can begin to release our expectations of a “perfect Christmas” and instead seek the experience of a holy season.

Through invitational spiritual practices and reflections, this daily devotional centers the stories of five women in Jesus’ genealogy—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary—plus three additional female figures connected to Jesus’ early life in the days leading up to Epiphany. You will also find resources for exploring the lives of these women in worship, small group, and retreat settings. This Advent and Christmas season, step into the true power of the Incarnation as we journey together to the manger and encounter the omnipotent God who has come to us in the vulnerable Christ-child.

​Original artwork by Michelle Burkholder

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Herald Press
Publication date
2022
Language
English
ISBN 10 
1513810553
ISBN 13 
9781513810553
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
130
Rating
  • 4.11 out of 5 stars
    57 ratings by Goodreads