Awaiting the Manger by Ocieanna Fleiss

Awaiting the Manger, an Advent devotional for teens and up, uses stories from the Old Testament to point to the coming of Jesus.

Awaiting the Manger: Whispers of Advent in the Old Testament by Ocieanna Fleiss. Harvest House, 2023. 176 pages.

Recommended for: Teens and adults

Ocieanna Fleiss is a novelist, and she brings to bear her considerable storytelling skills in this new Advent devotional. Each chapter retells an Old Testament story, biblical fiction style, inviting readers to enter into the story afresh. We consider what Hagar might have been feeling and thinking as she flees Sarah’s mistreatment. Or what Judah might have feared as he and his brothers trudged to Egypt to buy grain.

Each of the 25 chapters concludes with a connection to Jesus: how He is the ultimate fulfillment of that story, the ultimate answer to that character’s needs or struggles, and the One who does the same for us. A short prayer, suggested passage of Scripture, Christmas carol, and brief reflection complete each day’s reading.

Despite the Christmas-y cover of this Advent devotional, this book is one families could read at any point in the year. Perhaps you will save the Christmas carols for the month of December, but the rest of the content fits with any season. The Old Testament is always relevant, for all times and all places! If your teens have grown up with traditions like the Jesse Tree and/or seem to be a little dull to the familiar Christmas stories, consider Awaiting the Manger. The fresh language and creative retellings may help them remember that these characters were all real people, with real struggles and a real need for God’s grace. And the Lord met each of them in their need, as He does us. Indeed, all of Scripture points to Jesus!

Related Reading from Redeemed Reader:

• Advent Family Devotional List

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