Really short devotionals and some entries are pretty heavy Catholic, but most are universal enough for non-Catholics too. Also, it extends to Epiphany instead of ending at Christmas like some others do.

I am a new reader of Nouwen, and I had been looking forward to this Advent devotional. It is not a bad devotional, but it did not seem focused on Advent and Christmas. The Advent actions were an interesting addition, but they did not seem related to Advent. I also don't feel that adding a bunch of new tasks to my to do list helps with feeling the wonder of the season. Maybe a good devotional for another time, but not for Advent.

What a marvelous Advent/Christmas devotional based on the writings and thought of the great priest and theologian Henri Nouwen. Today’s reading is focused on the Twenty Third Psalm - “The Lord is My shepherd...” Timely and uplifting.

This is a wonderful collection of short passages from Nouwen's writing with a verse from scripture, prayer and Advent action. It's deeply meaningful and practical- perfect for actually finishing during a full season.

a good devotional, walking you daily through Advent and Christmastide.

Read it with an advent reading group
Was a bit skeptical at first with the guy's background ahaha
but it was ok

Love Henri Nouwen and his writings. As a devotional in general this was great. Just didn’t see where some of the passages/focuses fit in with Advent or Christmas. The connections there were a bit of a stretch sometimes.

Henri Nouwen is one of my favourite authors. His words spring from a life lived with deep reflection, intimacy with Jesus, and vulnerability. I found this particular Advent compilation of his words somewhat disjointed. Though some days were connected to the season of Advent and Christmas, I found most required my stretching imagination to try to make them fit. It was "okay", but not an Advent book I would recommend among many other great options available.

This book was definitely a disappointment, but not because of Nouwen. Last year, Amy got my a book in the same series, but from Chesterton. That one was arranged very well and the selections from Chesterton were always related to the advent/christmas/epiphany season. This book rarely had selections that related to the season at all. They also did not seem to be related to the particular scripture for the day. The actions for the day also seemed extremely arbitrary. Most of the Nouwen quotes were taken from speeches or from selections in a certain Catholic magazine, so I wonder if there were publication restrictions in terms of not being able to include selections from some of his more famous book. Anyway, as prolific as Nouwen was, he was nothing compared to Chesterton, so I can see how it would have been harder to find selections related to the season. But if there were so few, why try to publish this book? I guess because people like me would see it and think it would be good because the other ones in the series are good and because we love Nouwen. Our mistake.

Wonderful Christmas devotional. Includes daily wisdom from the writings of Henri Nouwen plus a scripture, a prayer, and an "advent action." Thoroughly enjoyed this devotional.

Each day has a Nouwen quote, scripture, prayer, and “Christmas Action.” I love the Nouwen quotes and scripture. The prayer and “Christmas Action” are sometimes a bit weird - seemingly unconnected to the quote and scripture.

My Advent meditation.