Christmas: Theological Anticipations
Ebook
Overview
Christmas cheers the birth of Christ with a fresh look at the festive season. English engages the rich theological and biblical themes of Advent as well as family traditions, popular carols, and legends of the holidays. Topics range from a theology of the incarnation of the Word, the role of Mary, the historical origin of December 25, the significance of Bethlehem and the star, the plight of the holy family in a hostile world, and the place of American pop icons like Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus, and Buddy the Elf. Christmas brims with anticipation.
”Adam English weaves historical, spiritual, and religious
aspects of the Christmas narrative together with contemporary
customs and experience. Looking to the future, not a nostalgic
past, he shows how the season inspires ways to live biblical truths
of forgiveness and justice. A delightful saints section identifies
ten ways to understand saints, making them more
accessible. Christmas is an unusual addition to
holiday literature, blending silly and serious, religious and
secular, heavy and light."
--Carol Myers, St. Nicholas Center
“In this follow-up to his popular and successful The Saint Who
Would Be Santa Claus, Adam English offers a splendid set of
theological reflections on the liturgical season of Christmas. With
intellectual and literary verve, he brings light to the very
mysteries of Christmas. Rooted in the scriptural narrative, steeped
in the ancient Christian tradition, and at ease with culture both
classical and popular, English dares his reader to ponder the
incarnation, Mary the Mother of Jesus, Bethlehem, the luminous star
spotted by the sages from the east, the flight to Egypt (Jesus as
exile and migrant), the significance and meaning of Christmas day,
and saints of the season. Let me invite you to unwrap this
gift!"
--Mark S. Medley, Baptist Seminary of Kentucky
"The manger, cross, and consumerism rarely meet for anything
inspiring. In Dr. English’s telling, the texts of Christmas in
church and culture are taken seriously and opened up in ways no
Black Friday sale or Hanging of the Greens service could
anticipate. Get ready to go through the holly jolly yet very
sacred season with more joy, wisdom, and reverence."
--Tripp Fuller, Founder and Host, Homebrewed Christianity
(podcast); Director of Theology and the Humanities, The Hatchery
LA, Redondo Beach, CA
Product Details
- Title : Christmas: Theological Anticipations
- Author: English, Adam C.
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Publication Date: 2016
- ISBN: 9781498239332
Adam C. English is chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Campbell University and professor of theology and philosophy. He is author of The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus (2012) and Theology Remixed (2010).