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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
This book was part of the online Advent study at my church this year, and while I didn't really participate in the discussions, I really enjoyed this book. The focus is primarily on Elizabeth and Zechariah and their experiences of barrenness, unanswered prayers, preparation and living with God's promises, and community. Okoro, in the reflections for each day, takes the scripture reading and ties it in with reflecting on our own experiences. Each day's reading ends with a short prayer. Each week ends with a day of personal reflection with some thought questions to ponder and a prayerful challenge activity.
While I liked pretty much all the readings, one thing I found particularly interesting was her take on Zechariah being struck silent for the entirety of Elizabeth's pregnancy. While, traditionally, you hear of that happening because Zechariah "dares" to doubt what the angel tells him, Okoro posits how very human his reaction is, in light of the incredible pronouncement of the angel, and how perhaps the period of silence was really a blessing allowing Zechariah to really sit with and ponder the news and prepare, internally, for it to happen. I really liked that perspective.
While it also would have been neat to be able to have discussion in a small group or something with this book, I thought it was also great just to do as a personal study. I'll definitely be looking up other works by Okoro.
While I liked pretty much all the readings, one thing I found particularly interesting was her take on Zechariah being struck silent for the entirety of Elizabeth's pregnancy. While, traditionally, you hear of that happening because Zechariah "dares" to doubt what the angel tells him, Okoro posits how very human his reaction is, in light of the incredible pronouncement of the angel, and how perhaps the period of silence was really a blessing allowing Zechariah to really sit with and ponder the news and prepare, internally, for it to happen. I really liked that perspective.
While it also would have been neat to be able to have discussion in a small group or something with this book, I thought it was also great just to do as a personal study. I'll definitely be looking up other works by Okoro.
Thought provoking, and beautiful harmony that encourages solitude and community. Will be reflecting on the questions for a long time after reading.
I liked it. I loved it at the beginning, especially. The idea of Advent as waiting, and using the story of Zecharias and Elizabeth as people with whom to experience that waiting is really great. I read it daily, and toward the end was less compelling-ly held by it. But it was worth spending time as a seasonal devotional, and Okoro is an interesting emerging Christian voice.
I think the idea for this (following Zechariah's side of the family through Advent) is awesome but it lacked a little on execution for format. Read with a group I love so that helps!
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
Beautiful reflections for the advent season.
An interesting daily devotional for the season of advent that focuses initially on Elizabeth and Zechariah. Much of the focus is on waiting and listening in anticipation. It was an interesting read for advent. She makes frequent use of a string of questions for you to ponder, which isn't a style that does much for me. So I found the beginning reflections more helpful than the prayer guidance portions.
I really enjoyed this book. Take the time to reflect each night and actually do the weekly questions, you might learn something about yourself!
very good. it was lovely alone and it would probably be even more lovely in a small group
Finally an Advent book that acknowledges suffering and the challenge of waiting in unknowingness! Fresh perspective that isn't simple and cute.
Contextual background for this review: My wife (a minister) lost her job in August. She has severance through January. We have a one year old child. Needless to say, this Advent has us really struggling, questioning, trying to be faithful, trying to be patient, and trying to be hopeful. That being said, this was a great resource for us.
This devotional is unlike any other devotional I’ve used during Advent. Rather than focusing on Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, it focused on Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John. Zechariah, the elderly childless priest remained faithful in his duties while he may have wrestled with his doubts. Elizabeth must have wrestled with her own doubts (I’d never thought about the possibility that she could have had miscarriages before). So much of this hit close to home.
This devotional goes much deeper than most other surface-level devotions. Highly recommended.
This devotional is unlike any other devotional I’ve used during Advent. Rather than focusing on Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, it focused on Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John. Zechariah, the elderly childless priest remained faithful in his duties while he may have wrestled with his doubts. Elizabeth must have wrestled with her own doubts (I’d never thought about the possibility that she could have had miscarriages before). So much of this hit close to home.
This devotional goes much deeper than most other surface-level devotions. Highly recommended.