Celebrating Abundance Is an advent devotional It gives you what the author thinks about what relates to the Scripture verse for the day. Then he prays. Now he add things as to what else he thinks the Scripture should say for what happened like Mary said such and so to the innkeeper - to me that is wrong to do because for people who are new christians may believe that that's true because they don't know what the Scripture yet like a seasoned Christian would - Now that was just my opinions that might not be someone else's.

An Advent devotional written by Walter Brueggemann is the only Christmas gift I needed this year. Brueggemann's insightful writing and challenging message partnered together for an accessible but highly meaningful Advent challenge. I will certainly revisit this next year.

The Advent season is here. After the traditional Thanksgiving Thursday followed by a crazy Black Friday commercialization, we enter into a cultural period of shopping madness. People hype up virtues of celebrating, giving, gratitude, and festive pleasantries. Christians sing carols and Christmas hymns. Radio stations play Christmas tunes. Film-makers churn out predictable Christmas plots that center around family, friendship, and all kinds of chicken soup for the Christmas movie soul. What about the reasons for giving? What about the heart of the meaning of Christmas? What about the Person behind it all? In a compelling four-week devotional before Christmas and a list of prayers for twelve days after Christmas, renowned author and retired professor Dr Walter Brueggemann looks at the topic of abundance. It is about the abundance of God who poured out His Spirit on us. God will not only resolve the problems we have of today. He promises to give a new heaven and a new earth. Jesus demonstrated His bountiful blessings via the feeding of the 5000; multiple works of mercy and goodness; a catalog of newness; a continued offer of mercy for our repentance; the far reaching grace and faithfulness of God; culminating in the greatest gift of all: Jesus.


Beginning on the first Sunday of each Advent week, readers are given a Bible passage and a brief devotional on the passage followed by a purposeful exposition of God's Holy Character. He points us to ways in which we can renew our focus from earthly concerns to heavenly matters. All in all, it is about celebrating the abundance of God's love for us and for the world. We need this. People fight and quarrel over the limited things on earth. From Black Friday push and shove to the busyness surrounding the year end festivities, it is easy to be caught in our limitations and become myopic over temporal things. Christians are called not only to be patient and hopeful, they are called to celebrate the abundance that God had already given in Christ. This abundance comes forth through the Word. Trust in what the Word is saying. Meditate on the Truth of Scripture. Revel in the love of Christ. Discern what the Holy Spirit is teaching us. That Christmas is not just the reason for the season. Christ is the abundant love that we can receive and enjoy. We look forward to that eternal hope. That when we are focused on the living God, and the promises He has given us, we would not be so caught up with everything the world is chasing after. Remember Matthew 6:33? Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Imagine that. After receiving the abundance, all other things will be a plus! That's abundance!

Read this book and see the abundance of God in a unique way.

Walter Brueggemann is renowned Old Testament professor who had held position at Eden Theological Seminary and Columbia Theological Seminary. He is also a popular author of many books.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

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This book has been provided courtesy of Westminster John Knox Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Celebrating Abundance by Walter Brueggemann is a devotional of advent that hopes to refocus our thoughts as we get ready for Christmas. Our society has changed what Christmas is all about. This book tries to provide an alternate view, that of the abundant life Christ brought in such an unexpected, humble way. I love how Brueggemann can write simultaneously with such simplicity and complexity. This Christmas devotional is one to be savored and shared with loved ones. I highly recommend this book to anyone who hopes to refocus their thoughts on Christ and the abundant gift He gave. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This Advent devotional taps into the current psyche of the world. The entries tap into the fears and anxieties many of us are experiencing today. What can the season of Advent bring to such fears?

The daily devotionals build on one another to plot a journey toward Christmas. Each offers words of hope and promises of newness. Yet each is a call to action: some a call to work within a person's heart and mind, and in others, a call to engage the world.

The devotionals portray two kingdoms, founded on polar opposite principles. For us, on this side of Christmas, the kingdom anticipated by Advent is already here; it is breaking in and disrupting the old order. It is not here in its fullness yet, but its power -- hope, joy, love, peace -- can be experienced in part today. Advent is the breaking through of the gospel that defeats the old order based on powers of fear, oppression and marginalization; built upon inequalities, hate, and violence. Each day through Advent the reader is invited to meditate on a small part of this.

The devotional ends with Christmas Day, but contains additional short thoughts and prayers for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

(This review based on ARC supplied by the publisher through NetGalley.)