The Christian Year Book

Bobby Gross presents chapters on each season of the liturgical year, accompanied by weekly devotions based on the Sunday readings of the lectionary cycle. His book offers a flexible weekly format, designed to let you break the devotions down any way you want to.

What happened on this date in church history? From ancient Rome to the twenty-first century, from peasants to presidents, from missionaries to martyrs, this book shows how God does extraordinary things through ordinary people every day of the year. Each story appears on the day and month that it occurred and includes questions for reflection and a related Scripture verse.

Christians inherited a Roman calendar that was adequate for getting up in the morning, going to bed at night, calculating the equinox, and setting a wedding date. But the stories attached to the Roman calendar were inappropriate to Christian belief, so Christians told stories of Jesus which eventually replaced the Roman versions. Now these classical stories are retold, collected in one volume.

The only book in print to present paintings of all the key biblical events in the Christian calendar by Old Masters from the early Renaissance onwards. The stories of Christianity and painting have been intertwined since at least the Middle Ages. The painters of the early, high and late Renaissance in Italy, Spain and northern Europe learned their art and craft while working in the service of both the Church and devout patrons, producing depictions of scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints for the benefit and instruction of clergy and worshippers alike. This book follows a course through the Christian year - from Advent and the Christmas season, through Holy Week and Easter and the periods of Ordinary Time - to present thirty works celebrating the key events and festivals of the liturgical calendar by some of the bestknown names from art history. Vel�zquez, Piero della Francesca, Rembrandt, Raphael, Giotto, Titian and Caravaggio are just some of the many celebrated artists included in the book with their representations of feasts such as the Immaculate Conception, the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, Pentecost and All Saints. John S. Dixon guides the reader by offering detailed analysis of the formal qualities and symbolism of each painting, while outlining the biblical stories that inspired their creation and explaining their religious and art historical significance. Full illustrations and close-up details of the featured works are accompanied by comparative illustrations of paintings and sculptures of the subjects by other masters. This beautiful book will enable all lovers of painting, both Christian and non-Christian, to expand their appreciation of these magnificent works of art.

Millions of Christians worldwide follow the liturgical Christian calendar in their worship services and in their own personal devotions. The seasons of the Christian year connect believers of diverse backgrounds and offer the sense of unity Jesus desired. Robert Webber believes that we can get even more out of the Christian calendar. He contends that through its rich theological meanings the Christian year can become a cycle for evangelism and spiritual formation. He offers pastors, church leaders, and those of the "younger evangelical" mind-set practical steps to help achieve this end, including preaching texts and worship themes for Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Advent, and Christmas.