This small title has thoughts about Advent that we should all consider. This is the book I choose this year prepare for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope you will consider this as I will explain some of it's virtues.

First, this book really does get into the stunning magnificent events and truths of the birth of Jesus. From the introduction, he writes, "Sadly, many of us are no longer gripped by wonder as we consider what this story tells us about the character and plan of God. Sadly, many of us are no longer humbled by what the incarnation of Jesus tells us about ourselves. We walk by the garden of the incarnation, but we don't see the roses of grace anymore. One eyes have gone lazy and our hearts have grown cold."

I love the metaphor of the incarnation as a garden. I love that he speaks of roses of grace. Take some time to consider this image and all that it means.

"I know how easy it is for me, on any given day, to forget who I am and what have been given in the person and work of Jesus. Other things in life capture my attention and the allegiance of my heart. Other things rise to levels of importance in my mind, way beyond their true importance. And when other things capture and control my heart, little room remains for wonder and worship. Familiarity often means that what is very important may no longer exercise important influence over us in the way that it should."

He writes to recapture his attention and our attention. "I wrote it with hope that this amazing story would reactivate your awe. I hope that as you read, your heart will be surprised by things in this story that you have never seen before or maybe haven't seen in a very long time."

What a lovely introduction to looking down in the manger! Look down and look up. See the angels sing to the shepherds. Enjoy their song!

The first day's devotional sets the stage for the rest of the book. "God would take on human flesh and invade his sin-broken world with his wisdom, power, glory, and grace. But he wouldn't descend to a place. Instead, the Lord Almighty, the Creator, the sovereign King over all things would humble himself and take on the form of servant; he would live on our behalf the life we could have never lived, he would willingly die the death that you and I deserve to die, and he would rise from his tomb as the conqueror of sin and death. He would suffer every single day of his life so that he could, with his life, give grace to rebels, extend love to those who would deny his existence, impart wisdom to those who think they know better, and extend forgiveness to everyone who seeks him. His coming stands as an affirmation that he will not relent, he will not be satisfied until sin and suffering are no more and we are like him, dwelling with him in unity, peace, and harmony forever and ever."

"The majesty of the patient and forgiving love of this story defies words. The implications of this birth are not only transformation to the cosmos, but also eternal in their extend. This is the story of Jesus, born in a barn in Bethlehem. The Messiah the earth cried for now cries to be held by Mary and will soon cry in torment of the cross of salvation. He came to suffer because he came to save. The angels sang because finally hope had come. Don't you want to join them?"

Another virtue of this book is the suggested activities for children that are at the end of the devotionals. The first one asks about favorite songs and why we songs. This is done to help us consider the angels singing to the shepherds when Jesus was about to be born. 

If you are looking for an Advent title for the whole family, this is a good choice. You will enjoy his devotions and your children will enjoy the discussions! 

If you are read this section of the blog regularly, you know I love a good book. Great books are in every room of my home! I even have books in my kitchen.  I recently found these three that I would like to share with you!

​The first book I want to mention is The Word in the Wilderness by Malcolm Guite. 

I started this book last week because it has a poem for each of Lent and Easter. It is a very do-able read in the best sense. I am able read it over lunch hours and I love that the poems he has selected (yes, some of his own verse) are understandable. 

I want to include the poem for the First Sunday of Lent by R.S. Thomas. 

The Bright Field
I have seen the sun break through
to illuminate a small field
for a while, and gone my way
and forgotten it. But that was the 
pearl of great price, the one field that had
treasure in it. I realize now
that I must give all that I have 
to possess it. Life is not hurrying

on to a receding future, nor hankering after
an imagined past. It is the turning 
aside like Moses to the miracle
of the lit bush, to a brightness
that seemed transitory as your youth
once, but is the eternity that awaits you. 

I love the gospel paradox in this. Losing to find, giving away to gain, giving everything up only to find it given back in a new and more beautiful form. The gospel and Lent is not about giving up and going without for its own sake; it is about making room for something wonderful. It is about clearing out the clutter, making space and time for the small seed that prove in time to be the great branching tree in whose canopy we will find a place. 

If giving something up isn't something that you do (yes, our family gave up chocolate), I recommending picking up this gem and reading The Word in the Wilderness!

Another book I am slowly working on is The Memoir Project by Marion Roach Smith.
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I admit to starting this book at the beginning of February, and it has held my attention. It has held my attention to the extent that I have slowed down to savor it. 

I have read more than a few memoirs or autobiographies over the years. There have been a handful of hits, but many, many misses and it's been interesting to read this in that she is writing to people who want to write memoirs and do it well. And it's not just a good book. It's brilliant.

Well, she is brilliant. This book is full of golden nuggets. They are not general nuggets. They are personal golden nuggets of how to tell a story, your story, well. 

I cannot do the book justice with this minor review. If I had the time and money, I would take this woman's online memoir course. Alas, I will continue to teach and think and ponder of this one over the semester and summer break. Beautifully done!

Last, but not least, I am reading through the book of Luke in the Bible!
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For 2019, I am reading through one book of the Bible every month. January was Matthew, February was Mark, and March is Luke. 

This is the gospel written by the doctor named Luke to Theophilus, his friend. They shared two loves. A love for Christ and a love for facts. They were interested in truth. The result is part letter and part research paper. Like many great pieces of literature, this was gospel is a labor of love. Luke studied carefully and wanted Theophilus to benefit from his study. With the skill of surgeon, Luke probes for truth.

Like all gospel writers, there are many beautiful themes that emerge. First, Luke portrays Jesus as fully man and fully God. Second, Jesus brings total physical and spiritual restoration to the body and soul through death on the cross and his resurrection. Another theme is Jesus experiencing the conflicts of life, yet performing miracles. Also, Jesus fulfilled God's mission and taught about God's kingdom.

Here are some others to ponder over.

Forgiveness at both human and divine levels are a beautiful theme woven throughout the whole book.

​His death and resurrection open up the possibility of salvation and make possible a direct relationship with God. 

Another thing I love about this gospel is theme of prayer. In addition to specific teaching on prayer, Jesus exemplifies a life of prayer by communicating with God the Father. 

The compassion or heart of Christ is there. Jesus Christ is the friend of poor, list, brokenhearted, alienated, oppressed, and abandoned sinners.

I wonder if Luke had any inkling about the impact of this book that he wrote for a friend. It is for the person who is interested in facts but has come to realize that there are things cannot be rationally explained. It for those who are interested in Jesus, but do not necessarily believe.

This is my little trinity of reading material for March. I hope and pray something in this has made an impression and you are motivated to pick up and read any of these books!