An Annotated Advent Bibliography

This week I have started to do some planning for our Advent services at Asbury Seminary for next month.  A quick trip to the library for some resources both excited and disappointed me. While Advent has been getting press over the last few years (mainly through the great Advent Conspiracy movement), I was surprised to not see more short theological works on the holiday.  I found some interesting devotionals, and great additions in books that dealt with the Christian Year, but nothing "full-length" really jumped out.  Below are a few books that I did pull of the shelves and took a cursory look at.  If you have any additions, please leave them in the comments.

I don't want to discourage anyone from looking more into advent, my liturgical geekery just got the best of me today. 

Annotated Bibliography For Advent:

In no particular order

Bock, Emil. The Rhythm of the Christian Year : Renewing the Religious Cycle of Festivals. Floris Books, 2000.  

Bock offers a wide (but quick and accesible glance) toward the topic of the Christian Year.   His strengths are in explaining the devotional attitude for the seasons, as well as an interesting look at the development of the festivals, as well as some of the transitions from pagan to Christian Holiday.  A sense of consecration as well as deep sacredness to many things are the books strength.  It’s weakness lies in the fact that it really doesn’t say that much.  Written in the late 40’s (I couldn’t find an exact date, this is the 5th edition) it seems to be in step with the unique theological situation of Protestantism coming out of Continental Liberalism.  A good book, but for a practical and theological view of advent, it didn’t hit the mark.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, John Donne, Meister Eckhart, T.S. Eliot, Gerard Manley Hopkins, C. S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, Archbishop Romero, Henri J.M. Nouwen, and Philip Yancey. Watch For The Light: Readings For Advent And Christmas. Orbis Books, 2004.  

A devotional book (dated from Nov 24th to Jan 7th) it is filled with daily readings from numerous authors.  The meditations can be used in private worship, but also would serve as a great source for thoughts surrounding the holiday for teaching and preaching.


Meeks, Blair Gilmer. Expecting the Unexpected: An Advent Devotional Guide. 1st ed. Upper Room, 2006.  

Another devotional book.  Instead of offering meditations, this book prompts the reader with scripture readings (daily and weekly), directed prayer and short meditations.  A good feature of this book is the integration of the advent hymns of Charles Wesley.  This seems to be an involved devotional, but good for someone wanting to spend time this advent season in private worship and reflection.


Wright, Wendy M. The Vigil: Keeping Watch in the Season of Christ's Coming. Upper Room, 1998.  

The Vigil takes the reader through Advent and Christmas.  It deals heavily with the Old Testament witness.  I find that this resource really helps ground the prophetic theme that rests inside of advent, as well as the eschatological idea of waiting and promise.  This is a theological resource, while still remaining accessible.


Marshall, William. O Come Emmanuel: Scripture Verses for Advent Worship. Morehouse Pub., 1993.  

Dealing with the liturgical idea of Antiphon, this book draws through the “Great O’s”, some of the great advent hymns from the high church tradition.  These hymns are part of the prophetic tradition and they deal with Mary’s Magnificat.  Good resource for designing services for advent.


Webber, Robert E. Rediscovering the Christian Feasts: A Study in the Services of the Christian Year. Hendrickson Publishers, 1998.  

This contribution comes from Protestant worship giant Robert E. Webber.  This is a short book that gives glancing worksheets on the Christian Year.  It’s advent contribution is minimal, but still loaded.  The book also gives a good introduction to Christian time.  This would be a great read for anyone interested (or skeptical) about the Christian year and it’s importance.

Webber, Robert. Ancient-Future Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year. Baker Books, 2004.  

While longer in form (and not a workbook), another Webber resource offers broader strokes regarding the Christian Year.  This is a deeper theological resource, and like everything of Webber’s I have seen, it looks great.

Like I said, this is just the fruits of my labor this afternoon, I wouldn't call this list anywhere close to exhaustive.  From previous experience, I would also welcomes Wesley's Hymns on the Nativity

Comments

[ryan]

hey chad -
this is a great resource. thanks. let me know if you have further discoveries this season.

adios,
ryan