Advent for Everyone by Tom Wright

The latest in Wright's 'For Everyone' series focuses on Advent and will give you a useful period of preparation for Christmas

Advent for Everyone - a Journey through Luke
By Tom Wright
SPCK
ISBN: 9780281079674
Reviewed by: Keith Parr

Tom Wright is a bit of a phenomena. For those who like their theology deep and challenging his collection of books as N.T Wright provide enough brain ache for even the most developed mind. For us mere mortals thankfully he writes as just Tom, enabling a door way to his far-too-brilliant mind. His 'For Everyone' series of commentaries of the books in the New Testament are already well known within the church - to which he now adds Advent for Everyone.

The structure of the book is a simple one. For each day of Advent (unless you are my wife who insists on following Celtic Advent for reasons I really can't go into here...) Tom gives you a reading from Luke's Gospel, followed by his well-known 'For Everyone' thoughts. You get stories, context and the thinking of the author on the broad subject of that week, which feature Encouragement, Renewal, Justice and Celebration.

My only disappointment is that this is something of a cut and paste job! The book is a simple repeat of Tom's thoughts from the original Luke for Everyone. Yes, they are put in a very different order to fit the broad weeks' subjects, but it's still the same.

Having said that its still worth a look, especially for small groups or people who have not encountered Tom's work, and it will give you a useful period of preparation for Christmas. Isn't that what Advent is all about?

(Just don't buy it if you like your Advent Celtic!)

Keith Parr is the minister of Maghull Baptist Church, North of Liverpool

Baptist Times, 30/10/2018

Post Tweet

A Calendar of Carols by Gordon Giles

'A useful, well-researched tool for those who want to know more about how the carols we sing came about - but would have benefitted from some illustrations'

Wounded I Sing: From Advent to Christmas with George Herbert, by Richard Harries

Devotional reading helps us avoid the too-soon collapsing of Advent into mere preparations for Christmas - and here Harries demonstrates how George Herbert is our most significant observer of the spiritual life through poetry

Do Not Be Afraid, by Rachel Mann

'In this Advent book Mann writes with a simplicity that conveys a depth of wisdom both scriptural and theological, and which is related to the ordinary things of everyday life'

The DNA of Healthy Discipleship by Dave Criddle

'Accessible, rich in insights and practical wisdom, this is a book for anyone who is serious about following Jesus and helping others to do the same – and just wants to get on with the job'

Jesus and the Powers by Tom Wright and Michael F. Bird

Rather than telling Christians how to vote, the authors focus on the relationship of God’s Kingdom to the powers that govern different countries and to democracy