As someone who also wrote a book on Advent, I wasn't sure what to expect in another author's perogative. The presentation seems to be appropriate, though I'm always hesitant to take a scripture and then deliver a real-world example. Scripture always stays in context of its original bearing, for which I know the author would agree. At times, it just seemed a little muddled.

Theologian and biblical scholar NT Wright provides a brief devotion (scripture translation, commentary, and exploratory question) beginning on the First Sunday of Advent and concluding up to Christmas. The books are great for groups or individual journeys towards Advent. What I enjoyed about these devotions is Wright’s ability to lay some theological depth within a short time with weekly them and each day questions ultimately building up for us to answer for ourselves the question “Who is this Jesus – for me, for the church, for everyone? And how am I ever-deepening that experience?”
The Matthew version is for Liturgical Year A (2019-2020).
Week One: A Time to Watch
Week Two: A Time to Repent
Week Three: A Time to Heal
Week Four: A Time to Love

A wonderful Advent devotional. Each day's reading is like a mini-sermon, with the insight into the context in which the book of Matthew was written and the way in which its original audience would have read it that we expect from Wright, in addition to what these texts mean for Christians in the 21st century,

Most of what I see from N. T. Wright is more scholarly than devotional, but this book is definitely different. Designed around the four weeks of advent, this book presents four weeks of undated devotions centering on the advent season borrowing on the book of Matthew.

The 28 devotions are selected from passages scattered throughout Matthew. The first two weeks draw more from the later chapters of the book; as the dates draw closer to Christmas, they draw more heavily from the advent story found in Matthew. The individual devotions are lengthier (three pages) than most devotional writings - but they are good, deep, and practical, as would be expected from a writer such as N. T. Wright.

This is a reprint of a book originally published in 2016 and it is one of three advent devotionals prepared by the author - the others are based around the Gospel of Luke (2018) and the writings of the apostles (2019). The book would easily find a place in a small group or a family setting. It would also make a fine set of readings for individual devotions during the four weeks of advent.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

NT Wright is a brilliant writer. I find much of what he writes is over my head and so this Advent for Everyone seemed like a perfect match for me! It was exactly what I hoped for, a deep look at the Truth is an format that allowed me to fit this into my rhythm of life during Advent.

I would recommend this for anyone who is looking to pause and focus on Jesus during the holiday season. What a wonderful gift it would make as well!

The publisher through Net Galley provided an ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts

Advent is about waiting for Jesus - and walking through Matthew, learning about Jesus is a good way to prepare for Christmas. I appreciate Wright because he brings in personal stories without taking away from his focus on Jesus. A book I will read again during future advent seasons.

Summary: An Advent devotional with four weeks of daily readings and commentary by a noted New Testament scholar and pastor.

N. T. Wright has published a whole series of "...for Everyone" books including ones for each of the three years in the lectionary cycle. This focuses around the Advent readings for Year A in the Gospel of Matthew. The devotional includes daily readings for the four weeks of Advent, with translations of Matthew by the author, brief commentary, and a question or two for reflection. 

I found this a rich set of devotional readings. At the core of each devotional is real commentary. That is, Wright concisely sets forward the meaning and relevance of the day's text, rather than simply sharing an "inspiring thought that may or may not have any connection to the reading.

In this review, I will share one example, a brief summary from one of each week's readings, that may give you a flavor for the whole:

Week 1: A Time to Watch: 

First Sunday of Advent: The unexpected visit: Matthew 24:36-44

Wright reminds us from a personal experience of what it means to have unexpected visitors. He then deals with this apocalyptic text from Matthew and its call for watchfulness for the Lord's coming. He speaks of the dire prophecy, fulfilled at least initially, with the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. He observes that the one taken, one left refers to those taken by soldiers to their deaths and those left untouched. Interestingly, the church fled Jerusalem before its fall, recognizing what was coming. Wright urges us to similar watchfulness in our own "turbulent and dangerous times." And so we are invited into the beginning of this season of watching for the Lord's Advent.

Week 2: A Time to Repent:

Thursday: The Parable of the Clean and Unclean: Matthew 15:10-20

Beginning with one of my favorite stories of Pooh and the Heffalump, he talks about Pooh's concern that the jar of honey set to lure the Heffalump was real honey all the way down. From this he moves to the issue of purity and the challenge of Jesus to religious leaders who are pure on the outside and corrupt inwardly. The invitation is one to search our own hearts. For what need we repent and ask the coming Lord to cleanse in our lives? Are we pure all the way down?

Week 3: A Time to Heal:

Wednesday: The Raising of the Little Girl: Matthew 9:18-26

Every culture has hygiene practices and for good reasons. These enable us to avoid disease. For the Jews, you avoided a woman having her period or any other bleeding, and you did not touch dead bodies. If so, you went through ritual cleansing. In this passage, Jesus both permits a bleeding woman to touch him and takes the hand of a dead girl. Instead of Jesus being rendered unclean, the woman is healed, the dead girl comes to life. Here is one more powerful than whatever may pollute our lives, in body or mind. What might he touch and heal in us?

Week 4: A Time to Love:

Monday: Loving Your Enemies: Matthew 5:38-48.

Wright observes that Israel is a chosen people, yet overrun with enemies. He shows how Jesus offers "a new sort of justice, a creative, healing restorative justice." It means a refusal to answer violence with violence. It means to go beyond the judgment of a shirt to giving one's cloak, shaming the adversary with one's virtual nakedness. It means to go beyond the mile Romans could impress one to carry a load, going a second mile, gratis. Wright asks with regard to our own enemies, "How does his teaching on reflecting the generous God and defusing violence speak to you?"

Wright's devotionals focus on the wonder of this Lord who has come and is coming, and how we might watch for and prepare for that coming. His incisive commentary and questions are designed not just to engender warm feelings of "comfort and joy" but rather to call us into the deeper work of watching, repenting, longing for healing, and embracing the generous love of God.

This review may come late for this season. I'd encourage you to buy this volume, and the companions for Year B (Advent for Everyone: A Journey with the Apostles) and Year C (Advent for Everyone: Luke). Then you will have them for the full lectionary cycle. Yesterday, we lit the fourth Advent candle in our church, looking forward to the lighting of the Christ candle, the one who is the light of the world. These readings helped intensify my joy in what his first coming means and my longing for his return. The Lord grant you the same!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review e-galley of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

4 stars: 4/5 star rating
What a great way to usher Christmas into your heart than to focus on the Christmas story as told through the Biblical scripture. I love that the entire scriptural text is included in each day's devotional reading. There is a lesson and reflection for each week and then further, divided by day of the week, and a question to ponder for each day as well. This is biblically sound teaching and I found that a few views were ones that are entirely new to me. That gives me a great deal to ponder and reflect upon. I am using this as an individual study guide and devotional.
I received a digital ARC of this book from netgalley and Westminster John Knox Press in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

There are many Advent studies out there. This is not one I think is good for Advent.

The author has a theme for each week and a scripture reading for each day followed by a short commentary on the verses.

This book probably should have a different name as it is not simply what we call "Advent." While I have not read it, I suspect the the author has revamped his book "Matthew for Everyone" and retitled it "Advent for Everyone" This book has almost nothing to say about the period of time leading up to Christ's birth or the Nativity itself. Instead, he uses Jesus's teachings, His crucifixion, and the Great Commission. In fact, only on the fourth Sunday of Advent is the Nativity referenced.

It is fine as commentaries go, but I find the title misleading.

This advent season filled with anticipation, waiting, is a good time to go thru the book of Matthew with N.T. Wright. The book begins near the end of Matthew of Jesus proclaiming that no one knows when the Royal appearing of the son of man will happen. Beginning there, it sets up the reader to prepare their heart for something more, something greater, something worth more than we can possibly know.

It is difficult to be compliant while reading this text as it challenges you to the call of who Jesus is. What he has done and continues to do. It demands a response. It shows Jesus.

Highly recommend.

A Special Thank you to Westminster John Knox Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

My review of “Advent for Everyone: Matthew” by NT Wright.

Goals of the book:
You can never have too many devotionals, right? Lately, it seems like devotionals are becoming really popular. I remember getting almost a half-dozen copies of “My Utmost for His Highest” for my high school graduation. Lately, devotionals like New Morning Mercies, Savor, and Jesus Calling have taken some markets by storm.

N.T. Wright, ever the pastor and scholar, offers plenty of devotionals to meditate on every morning. This volume isn’t even his first Advent devotional, but is his first for Year A, which focuses on the Gospel of Matthew. Whereas some devotionals are designed to be read year round (whether by being dated for specific days of the month or by being un-dated), these are designed to be read during the Advent season.

What does this book offer the church?
Some readers might ask why NT Wright wouldn’t simply create a regular devotional, good for the entire year. It seems very wise to me to offer devotionals with specific focuses on specific seasons and months. While we celebrate God’s goodness every day, the Church’s calendar helps us focus specifically on different stories in the Gospels. In the 2019 Advent season, the Church has the chance to spend 24 days specifically focusing on the coming of Christ, the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes and dreams, and preparing our own hearts for the second Advent of Christ. This book is a good starting point for those who are interested in following the Church calendar but are perhaps unfamiliar with it. The passages are undated (in that they are not 2019 specific, but are dated for Advent season), letting readers become familiar with the calendar on their own time scale. For those who are not following the calendar, I think there’s still value in devotionals like these.

For those who are already familiar with the Church calendar, such as the Anglicans whom NT Wright presides over, this book features a familiar cadence that guides us through the seasons you are already familiar with, featuring new insights and pastoral explanations of different Matthean passages.

The book is also divided into four weeks, each with their own focus. Each focus is a part of the Advent season, so I appreciated seeing each individual week focus on a different element of Advent. We’re so used to steam-rolling through books and theological concepts, we never slow down and appreciate seasons for all they have to offer. This book helps us slow down and focus on the different aspects more heavily.

Week One: A Time to Watch
Week Two: A Time to Repent
Week Three: A Time to Heal
Week Four: A Time to Love

How successful is this book in reaching its goals?
Y’all know that I am a huge fan of Dr. Wright. You might even remember that I dedicated this entire year to reading (or, at least, starting) his entire bibliography. (I am well on my way – look for an update soon!) I was happy to have this book as part of my reviewing process as well as part of the TwentyWrightTeen topics.

NT Wright might be known mostly for his level of scholarship and his output of both scholarly and popular level books. Many readers have been blessed by him in church, lectures, or class settings, but I especially love that he features devotionals as well. This shows that he is not concerned only with scholarly works and debates, but has a heart for the church as well. I also appreciate that, while he is known mostly as a Pauline scholar, I think, he releases devotionals on the Gospels.

You can read more about this book on the Westminster John Knox Press’s website. You can also purchase this book ahead of Advent on Amazon or BN.com.

Every Advent, I look forward to daily readings from a particular book to help prepare my heart for what is to come during the season. It is a way to center and focus my thoughts, attitudes and priorities. I have used the same book for many years and this year, when I saw this book, I was curious to take a look and see if it was worth breaking out of my tradition. I am so glad I did. Daily Readings to challenge and encourage my heart from a fresh perspective. These are not light, easy readings though. It is for someone who is looking for depth and a willingness to dive in deep with what Matthew has to offer. Each week has a different focus to help center my heart. Week 1, first Sunday in Advent is centered around A Time to Watch. Week 2, the second Sunday in Advent focuses on A Time to Repent. Week 3, the third Sunday in Advent centers around A Time to Heal and finally, week 4, the fourth Sunday in Advent is focused on A Time to Love. An appropriate study for individuals or groups.
Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

An in-depth daily devotional, Advent for Everyone: Matthew by N.T. Wright takes a focused look at the life and second coming of Christ. The author takes his readers on a four part journey of keeping their eyes focused on Christ and the Great commission during the busy holiday season. This devotional's four parts include:

Week One: A Time to Watch
Week Two: A Time to Repent
Week Three: A Time to Heal
Week Four: A Time to Love

Each week is divided into seven days with Scripture reading, devotional, and reflection questions. The is not your typical light devotional reading, but rather a in-depth study in Christian history and the life of Christ. It is challenging, insightful, and rich. N.T. Wright takes his readers through biblical context as well as personal modern application, making Advent for Everyone a powerful tool in the life of a believer. This devotional is deep enough to be used year after year, and in group or individual study. Be prepared to be changed!

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Advent for Everyone: Matthew by N. T. Wright provides a great devotional experience for those who want to keep Jesus the focus of their Christmas holidays. Not only that, but Wright encourages readers to keep the Great Commission at the forefront of their thoughts as they dig into God's Word daily. Each week has a different focus:
Week 1: A Time to Watch, focusing on the second Advent of Christ and being prepared for it
Week 2: A Time to Repent, focusing on repentance and personal purity
Week 3: A Time to Heal, focusing on Jesus' authority to forgive and heal and our responsibility to forgive others
Week 4: A Time to Love, focusing on the cost of following Jesus and the call to share His love with others

Wright starts with a weekly introduction on Sundays and then gives readers daily readings that include a Scripture portion, devotional thoughts, and questions for reflection or discussion. The devotionals are packed with historical background to help readers understand the context as well as modern-day stories and personal stories that help readers see modern-day applications or examples.

While I highly recommend Wright's "Advent for Everyone," for those who want to keep the Christmas season Christ-focused, thiis is not just a feel-good, easy-to-read devotional book. It's more of a call to dig deep into God's Word and into your own heart, allowing His Word to transform you from the inside out--all while you keep your focus on Jesus, who really is the reason for the season. This book helps you to focus on the "so what" aspect--the application.

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

N.T. Wright's new Advent Devotional, "Advent for Everyone: Matthew," is a daily devotional for the advent season to get your heart ready for Christmas.

Advent means coming or arrival. Each devotional from the Gospel of Matthew has to do with both the coming of Jesus and his coming again. The first week of Advent focuses on Jesus' return and end times. The second week focuses on Jesus' arrival and baptism. Week three is a time to heal. The final week of Advent focuses on a time to love.

This in-depth study includes a passage of Scripture, then a story or example from Wright's own life, and finally application questions. These are great studies to get the participant ready for the season, a time of reflection and expectation of Jesus.

I received this as an eBook from Westminster John Knox Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review of the title. I did not receive any compensation from either company. The opinions expressed herein are completely my own.