As we enter into the Advent and Christmas seasons, I would like to recommend three excellent books for devotion and study. As a student at Valparaiso University I had the extreme privilege of taking classes from Professor Walter Wangerin, Jr. Rev. Walt Wangerin has been involved in ministry in a number of ways through his life. He was the pastor of an inner city congregation, has written a number of highly acclaimed books, and continues his ministry preaching and teaching at Valparaiso University in the English and Theology departments, the chapel, and around the country and world. To say that he is a gifted story teller is an understatement. Hearing Wangerin preach is to me like hearing the very voice of God. He breathes life into Gospel and biblical narratives through sto-ries of his own life experience and through meticulous research into the life and times of biblical writings. If you have never heard Wangerin or read any of his works, I highly recommend taking time out in this season of waiting and anticipation to revisit the birth narratives of Christ through Wangerin‘s Advent and Christmas devotional, Preparing for Jesus: Meditations on the Coming of Christ, Advent, Christmas, and the Kingdom.

In Preparing for Jesus, Wangerin engages the birth of Christ through the eyes of a variety of characters we find in the biblical tradition, drawing from both the gospels of Matthew and Luke. He begins with the witnesses of Zechariah and Elizabeth and the birth of their son who grows up to be John the Baptist. Wangerin moves on to bring Mary and Joseph‘s encounters with God to life. He also animates the stories of the angels and shepherds, in addition to others. The book is set up to read one scene in the Advent/Christmas story per day throughout the sea-sons. He focuses on a particular theme that is expressed through one of the characters as they encounter and wait for the birth of Christ. He offers other devotional suggestions for the season and moving prayers.

Preparing for Jesus invites you into firsthand accounts of the stories of Christmas. As you look through the eyes of each character, you see Christmas, Christ, and God in a new way. If you are hoping to slow down this Christmas and Advent season to experience the birth of Christ anew, Preparing for Jesus may be a great way.

Walt Wangerin Jr. also has written a number of beautiful children‘s books. As we journey through Advent, the biblical stories of Christmas powerfully captivate the imaginations of little ones too. Advent is a great time to share stories to prepare for Christmas as a family. Wangerin has two children‘s books, Mary’s First Christmas and Angels and All Children, for the Christmas and Advent seasons. Both books connect with children on their level when it comes to encountering Christ in the manger. Both are also beautifully illustrated and will invite families to go deeper into an understanding of Christmas and perhaps even an encounter with God.