God Is in the Manger is worth considering if you want brief Advent reflections that invite slow, thoughtful reading. The collection draws from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s writings and continues into Christmas, so I would choose it for a reader who wants more than a countdown to December 25.
This is an edited collection, not a newly written daily plan by Bonhoeffer. That distinction matters when deciding how to read it and how much context you may want alongside the selected passages.
This is a research-based review of the Westminster John Knox Press paperback, ISBN 9780664234294.
A fitting Advent companion for an adult who wants to read carefully and reflect on substantial Christian themes.
Best for: Adults interested in Bonhoeffer’s thought and a devotional rhythm extending into Christmas.
Highlights
- Brief selections invite a manageable daily reading habit
- The themes move through Advent and Christmas
- Selections include material from letters and Christmas sermons
Watch-outs
- An anthology cannot supply the full context of every original work
- Brief passages can still require careful thought
- Retail listings disagree about pagination, so identify the edition by ISBN
What kind of book is God Is in the Manger?
It is a devotional collection drawn from Bonhoeffer’s writings. The edition description presents forty devotions, supplemented with selections from letters and Christmas sermons. A bibliographic record identifies the translated selections and contributors.
| Author | Dietrich Bonhoeffer |
|---|---|
| Compiler and editor | Jana Riess |
| Translator | O. C. Dean Jr. |
| Publisher | Westminster John Knox Press |
| Selected format | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9780664234294 |
An edited collection lets you encounter a writer in short portions. It also means you are reading selections chosen and arranged by someone else. I would welcome the introduction and keep questions about original context in mind.
How does the reading move through the season?
The contents organize Advent around waiting, mystery, redemption, and incarnation, followed by readings for the twelve days of Christmas. That makes the book relevant after December 25 as well as beforehand.
I would follow the arrangement in your copy and allow room for a difficult paragraph. The aim is not to race toward a final date. If one thought needs another day, stay with it and read the associated Scripture again.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s reading overview describes the meditations as brief while noting their theological themes and the usefulness of background on Bonhoeffer. That is a good reason to consider context alongside the daily page.
Is it suitable for someone new to Bonhoeffer?
It can be an introduction to his voice, but it is not a substitute for understanding his work in context. I would begin with the editorial introduction and note anything that requires explanation.
When a selection stands out, ask what it claims about God, what biblical text it draws on, and whether the original source is identified. If you want to explore further, follow the reference into a fuller work instead of treating one paragraph as the whole of the author’s thought.
A reader who mainly wants easy family activities or a story for young children will probably want a different book. My Advent devotional guide compares formats designed for several kinds of reader.
Which physical edition is linked?
The linked Amazon listing selects the paperback with ISBN 9780664234294. It credits Jana Riess as compiler and editor and O. C. Dean Jr. as translator. Hardcover listings use other identifiers.
There is a pagination discrepancy worth knowing: Amazon currently lists 98 pages, while other edition records list 112 or describe preliminary pages separately. I would identify the copy by ISBN, binding, and contributors rather than promise an exact amount of reading space from a retailer’s number.
The product description also mentions a hardback repackaging even when the selected format is paperback. Check the selected binding before buying a gift. That wording alone does not mean the paperback link will deliver a hardcover.
How would I use it with a small group?
I would choose a limited selection, begin with its biblical passage, and give everyone time to reread. Invite questions before personal application. The most useful conversation may be about a sentence that initially seems difficult.
Keep background and historical claims tied to a reliable source. There is no need to turn a short devotional meeting into an account of Bonhoeffer’s whole life, or to assume every reflection was written in the same setting.
If your group wants a different reading structure, compare the options in my Advent devotional guide.
My recommendation
Read John 1:1-18 and consider what the passage says about the Word becoming flesh. Write down one idea you understand and one question you would like to explore. That is a useful posture for approaching a reflective collection.
I would choose God Is in the Manger for an adult prepared to pause and think. Its place is a thoughtful Advent and Christmas companion, with the editor’s framing and the Bible close at hand.
Sources and review approach
I checked the ISBN-specific description, the bibliographic contents and contributor record, the church reading overview, and the selected Amazon paperback. The pagination discrepancy is reported rather than resolved by guessing. The Amazon link above identifies the exact edition researched. Reading plans, discussion prompts, and buying advice here are my own suggestions. I have not handled this edition or completed a reading or activity trial, and this review does not summarize customer reviews.
