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Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas Kindle Edition

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Author), Jana Riess (Editor), O. C. Dean Jr. (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 709 ratings
These forty stirring devotions will guide and inspire readers as they move thematically through the weeks of Advent and Christmas, from waiting and mystery to redemption, incarnation, and joy. Supplemented by an informative introduction, short excerpts from Bonhoeffer's letters, and passages from Bonhoeffer's Christmas sermons, these daily reflections are timeless and moving reminders of the true meaning of Christmas. Now repackaged in a beautiful hardback edition, it makes the perfect holiday gift.
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  1. Print length
    115 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Westminster John Knox Press
  4. Publication date
    September 3, 2012
  5. File size
    2.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
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  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  1. Whoever does not know the austere blessedness of waiting—that is, of hopefully doing without—will never experience the full blessing of fulfillment.
    Highlighted by 1,557 Kindle readers
  2. The Advent season is a season of waiting, but our whole life is an Advent season, that is, a season of waiting for the last Advent, for the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth.
    Highlighted by 1,200 Kindle readers
  3. As long as there are people, Christ will walk the earth as your neighbor, as the one through whom God calls you, speaks to you, makes demands on you.
    Highlighted by 1,100 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"These Advent and Christmas reflections of Bonhoeffer flew from his prison cell, flung open the doors of hope, and sailed heavenward as heart-wrenching prayers, prayers from a condemned man, prayers from a hopeful man, prayers from a man who embodied what it means to pray 'May your kingdom come.' This will be my Advent and Christmas book." Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies, North Park University, and author of The Jesus Creed and The Blue Parakeet

About the Author

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of the most well-known and beloved theologians of the twentieth century. Renowned for his classic works Life Together and The Cost of Discipleship, Bonhoeffer’s legacy took on another dimension when he was imprisoned and executed for participating in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004T4WC0Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Westminster John Knox Press (September 3, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 3, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 115 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 709 ratings

About the author

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born in Breslau in 1906. The son of a famous German psychiatrist, he studied in Berlin and New York City. He left the safety of America to return to Germany and continue his public repudiation of the Naz*s, which led to his arrest in 1943. Linked to the group of conspirators whose attempted assassination of Hitlerr failed, he was hanged in April 1945.

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4.7 out of 5 stars
709 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this Advent and Christmas devotional thought-provoking, with one noting it provides a wonderful focus for the season. The book is well-written and concise, making it a great daily read, and one customer describes it as a beautiful preparation for Christmas. Customers appreciate its depth and pacing, with one highlighting its well-organized structure.

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102 customers mention "Thought provoking"102 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and insightful, describing it as an excellent Advent devotional that provides a wonderful focus for the season.

"Challenging, and at times convicting, reminder of the truth of Advent...." Read more

"...If you want more depth, more grace and more heart, read this book...." Read more

"These are very useful and edifying edited Advent and Christmas devotionals that force the reader to deal with the reality of the incarnation and the..." Read more

"We love this advent devotional so much we gifted it to a friend! Meaningful and a beautiful preparation for Christmas." Read more

73 customers mention "Reading material"73 positive0 negative

Customers find this book to be an excellent daily devotional for Advent and Christmas, with one customer noting that each day's reading is deep.

"...A very worthwhile read, and a great gift for those friends and family who truly have a desire to go deeper in their search for the Jesus of the..." Read more

"These are very useful and edifying edited Advent and Christmas devotionals that force the reader to deal with the reality of the incarnation and the..." Read more

"...For people wanting a light, breezy, feel-good reading to get them into the Christmas spirit, they need to go elsewhere...." Read more

"...I have been looking for a good Advent book for a long time and I have found it. This little book is divided into 5 parts: *..." Read more

24 customers mention "Writer"21 positive3 negative

Customers find the book well-written and highly readable, with one customer noting how the author says things in a fresh way.

"...Bonhoeffer's writing remains clear, and direct, even if much of the time, it is complex and deep...." Read more

"I found nothing to dislike. The layout was easy to follow...." Read more

"...His writing is poignant and keeps the reader focused on preparation for both Advents: the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, God in human form appearing,..." Read more

"...and passages from the texts to Scripture is well organized and thoughtfully done...." Read more

9 customers mention "Power"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book amazing and powerful, with one noting that its small size makes it even more impactful.

"...happy crap of the current approach to Christmas, this is a powerful alternative that will show you a new way to think about Christmas Joy." Read more

"...Also this small work is powerful and a great place to start for a time of contemplation...." Read more

"Amazing! I love that Bonhoeffer is both easy to read and says things in a fresh way to these modern ears...." Read more

"...It's very powerful to correlate his waiting to get out of prison and the waiting for Jesus." Read more

8 customers mention "Book length"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's length, describing it as short and perfect for brief devotionals.

"I found this book to be perfect for brief, daily thoughts on Advent and Christmas...." Read more

"...Pretty good amount of material for such a short book! Designed for daily readings for 30 days, you could also do it in about 2 hours." Read more

"Short but substantive daily meditations leading up to and preparing for Christmas!..." Read more

"...They are short but meaty excerpts along with scripture to read each day through advent." Read more

6 customers mention "Beauty"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, with one mentioning it serves as a beautiful preparation for Christmas.

"...Meaningful and a beautiful preparation for Christmas." Read more

"This advent devotional has depth and beauty. I enjoyed it so much, I have decided to go through it again next year!" Read more

"...We both really, really loved this. Each day's reading was deep, beautiful and very suited for the Christmas season...." Read more

"Beautiful ! So glad I ordered it . I read it every day ." Read more

6 customers mention "Depth"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the depth of the book.

"This is a very deep, reflective work. I had to really concentrate while reading these devotions...." Read more

"...piece" Christmas devotional, so I was thankful to have found one with depth and great reminders of what true Christianity is like...." Read more

"This advent devotional has depth and beauty. I enjoyed it so much, I have decided to go through it again next year!" Read more

"These daily devotions are deep and meaningful and helped me to experience Christmas more fully this year." Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one mentioning its daily structure, while others find it refreshing and well-organized.

"...connection of letters and passages from the texts to Scripture is well organized and thoughtfully done...." Read more

"...time with Bonhoeffer this season--you will find yourself challenged, refreshed, and renewed in spirit by his insights." Read more

"...Refreshing and poignant insights about Xmas, includes parts of letters written by Bonhoeffer to his fiancee and others in prison." Read more

"I love Bonhoeffer's writings and this compilation is really nice. It has been a good devotional for the holiday season." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Paul MacPherson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Advent Devotional
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Challenging, and at times convicting, reminder of the truth of Advent. Bonhoeffer’s ability to communicate incarnational truth is once again clearly articulated.
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  • Michael K.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    i may have another review, but lost the review to digital vagueries…The short book deals with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s writings while he was in prison during the later part of WWII. It was set up to be a daily Advent read, one day at a time, however, I consumed the whole book in a few sittings.

    Dietrich was executed by hanging just weeks before the end of hostilities. Many of his messages here are truly poignant, and despite his imprisonment, he always kept hold on his Faith, and used it to hang on to his humanity as well.
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  • Mystic-Shanyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book and was amazed. The words from Bonhoeffer interspersed with the devotional words and Bible verses really showed me what a stark realty he faced during that time. It was a reminder that even in the darkest days hope can be found, and hope can be shared. Grace can be embodied even in a cell, with a death sentence over your head.

    I don't want to spoil it anything of the read but I will say this: if you want more from your Christmas devotional time, get this. If you want more depth, more grace and more heart, read this book. If you desire to get past the sweetness of the season and wish to see how someone can find true peace and joy during the darkest days of their life, read this.

    A very worthwhile read, and a great gift for those friends and family who truly have a desire to go deeper in their search for the Jesus of the season, for the Christ child.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Jason G
    4.0 out of 5 stars useful and edifying edited Advent and Christmas devotionals
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    These are very useful and edifying edited Advent and Christmas devotionals that force the reader to deal with the reality of the incarnation and the tension of the right now and not yet aspects of the Christian life. They do make a great compliment to the Advent and Christmas season. If read in sequence, there are daily devotions that last the reader from December 1 - January 6.

    The material in this book is taken partly from the book of collated, Bonhoeffer writings, called, "I Want to Live These Days With You: A Year of Daily Devotions." Also, each reading includes in most cases a section from a letter or sermon from Bonhoeffer, written or given during the Christmas season.

    The great value of this little 100+ page book is that the author, who never had the opportunity to compile his writing in this format, during his short life, is that they are written in context of someone who was taken from his family and fiancee, and faced with the coming execution by an anti Christ regime, in NAZI Germany. Many of these writing are written in the context of his life struggling against or suffering under NAZI oppression. So Bonhoeffer, from the outset makes no illusions of a sentimental Christmas holiday, though he surely pined for the reassurance and comfort of family. He was comforted by the Christ who came and is coming again.

    There are at times hints of Neo - orthodoxy, which is not unexpected. Bonhoeffer's writing remains clear, and direct, even if much of the time, it is complex and deep.

    The book is divided into five sections: Waiting, Mystery, Redemption, Incarnation, and the Twelve Days of Christmas to Epiphany.

    So while these are writings of a young theologian, wrestling greatly with what Christ called him to, during some of the most difficult of times, the tone of the writings is never not pastoral, and kind. Bonhoeffer does speak to the internal callings and struggles that are common to all Christians, and his call is to point others constantly to the reality and hope that the incarnation represents.
    25 people found this helpful
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  • Don
    5.0 out of 5 stars So helpful for reflection..
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    My wife read aloud each morning, then we discussed any questions or thoughts which it raised. We would definitely recommend.
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  • Eric Swanson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Not all the material comes from Bonhoeffer, but the material in the book does capture the idea of Jesus coming in meekness and how we ought to respond in humility.
    One person found this helpful
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  • B. Jenner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and meaningful guft
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    We love this advent devotional so much we gifted it to a friend! Meaningful and a beautiful preparation for Christmas.
    One person found this helpful
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  • John Young
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Wonder of All Wonders
    Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    These meditations are focused primarily on Christmas and Advent, but with other themes thrown in. The book was very helpful for me this year to reorient my heart and mind to the meaning and purpose of Christmas. Much has been lost and distorted even in the Christian celebration of this glorious event. I think we lose the majesty and the power and the awesomeness of Christmas when it becomes about gifts or family or church (good things, but not ultimate things). Christmas should always and forever be about God becoming man (no, a baby), being born (no, born in a stinky, dirty, noisy stable), living (no living a commoner's life), and dying (no dying a traitor's death). He did this for the twin goals of fulfilling his Father's will and executing a rescue mission that no Seal team would dare attempt. Jesus was born, lived and died for God and for you. Christmas is about Christ, not us. Glory to God indeed!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Dennis D Hendricksen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on January 11, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Great collection of writings gathered together in this attractive volume.
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  • Deirdre R
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent content. Thought provoking and uplifting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent content. Thought provoking and uplifting.
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  • PWH
    5.0 out of 5 stars A journey to Joy.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A Bonhoeffer title which did not disappoint. Well worth journeying with throughout the Advent period. An enlightening and thought provoking read which leaves you well prepared for the season.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on December 16, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Thought provoking
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  • Alan Wilde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Advent with Bonhoeffer
    Reviewed in Canada on January 3, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Bonhoeffer never disappoints and it is wonderful to have these short readings for each day of Advent. You won't be disappointed.
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