Honest Advent: Awakening to the Wonder of God-with-Us Then, Here, and Now

Erickson brings the gospel story to life in a way that feels truly accessible...casual yet reverent, personal, intentional, and beautifully poignant. He speaks through heart-change stories rooted in Scripture, and has an incredible way of both taking you back in time to the humanity of Jesus, and to His present day God-with-us divinity. I felt wrapped in God's love after each chapter. His short vignette format makes it easy to read, and digestible enough to ponder each day. With the busy holiday season, some friends and I decided to read an Advent book in January when we had a bit more life capacity to invest in it - I'm so glad we picked this one, and I'd recommend it year-round. I found this book so deeply meaningful and have already gifted it to 2 others. Highly, highly recommend. Thank you, Scott, for sharing this gift with us!!

I have been following Scott for about a year, his artwork and speaking events always bringing me hope and joy in my darkest hours. The second I was able to pre-order this book I did, and found myself counting down the days until release day. To be invited to read it early was an amazing gift, as it came to me in a month of weariness and exhaustion. As Scott's art and words usually do, I was moved toward hope.Growing up, I had a nagging feeling that the stories I was hearing were lacking something. As an adult, able to discover and dig deeper into the Word for myself, I realized it was never the Bible but those teaching it to me - humans have such a propensity to clean everything up to be more appealing, it shouldn't have been so surprising to me to find that we had done it even to His word given to us. My first Christmas as a mother I found myself crying at every mention of Mary -- how beautiful was the gift, how messy and complicated and hard, and how much harder knowing Who she carried in her womb and then her arms? To see this beauty - in all it's messy and bloody and hard - depicted alongside a raw and honest look at what God-with-us means was just what I needed. I can't wait to revisit this with my family in December, as we step into the glory of the season where we can boldly proclaim: Be Not Afraid.

We used this book at my church as our Advent book study and it was well received. This is a primarily older congregation. Even so, everyone engaged well with the text and they faithfully wrestled with some of the ideas. We had a fruitful discussion.I recommend this book.

I always say that Scott Erickson's art gave me the experience of Visio Divina before I knew it was a thing. His images present holy realities with a simplicity and frankness that makes you keep looking (and looking and looking and thinking about what you saw days and weeks later). I'm a words person so this observation-based way of engaging with the truths of scripture was completely new to me. The first of his images I enountere (shared here) was of the depiction of the full-term, head down baby inside the woman's body. A mother myself, I've only ever seen an image like that in prenatal books and OBGYN offices. The reality of the incarnation, the virgin birth, the 9 months of waiting, the actual pregnant-ness of Advent, the birth to come absolutely bowled me over. All of Advent and through Christmas, that piece of art was still stirring me. Powerful.The art alone (paired with it's inspired scriptures) is an experience in and of itself and is worth the cost of the book. Since art is universal, I'm planning to use the images as the basis for our family advent study with my kiddos (ages 4, 6, and 8).But Erickson has also framed his work with accessible, short, pertinent theoughts to guide our meditation AND questions for reflection and discussion. So I'll be sitting with the whole book in my personal time and discussing with friends too.This book is the whole package.

Whether I'm watching Scott Erickson in a video, reading one of his poetic social media posts, staring at a piece of his artwork, or reading this book, I am amazed at his ability to take spiritual ideas or Biblical principles and make them directly applicable to my life. He usually does this by simply sharing his own life struggles or joys, giving me something real to grab onto. He also does this in this book, taking the Christmas story that I've heard over and over and over my entire life and breaking it down and reminding me that the people in this story are real people. And, how might that change the way I approach this season of Advent? Why does it matter that Mary was a real human being with the same thoughts, concerns and emotions that I have, or my wife has? Suddenly, God's plan of redemption comes alive and I can actually see myself in the characters and I can relate to God's emotions and his heart in ways I haven't before. I don't believe the Gospel any more than I did before (since that's the work of the Holy Spirit), but I understand it more personally and relate to it more deeply because of Scott's visual and written works of art. Thank you!

I've preached the Advent/Christmas story for over 20 years. Scott Erickson's Honest Advent makes connections I've never considered. Deep connections, rich connections, honest connections.I first found Scott through Instagram (@scottthepainter), then through his book collaborations with Justin McRoberts (buy these books, too!), then through his prints, and now through his first solo book. His writing is poetic, yet also like you're talking with a friend over coffee. His illustrations/icons are engaging, thought-provoking, deceptively simple (look closer, there's more to see), helping his book to speak on multiple levels.I'm switching most of my library to digital, yet this is a book I'm glad I have in print. It feels great in your hand with simple color choices, the texture of the paper, and artistic type choices. Consider this for your book club. Consider buying a bunch to hand out at Thanksgiving dinner.If you're a pastor or small group leader, be sure to check out all the creative resources on the book's website. honestadvent.com

The product was exactly how ıt was described

The autor, also an artist, writes 25 fresh devotionals, which can also be read throughout the year.Every devotional is accompagned by an art piece and a bible verse.The devotionals are to open up new perspectives and thoughts onto Jesus and faith. I find myself getting new revelations as I ponder upon his writing.Very warmly suggested by me!

Loved reading this book over advent, such deep and perspective turning insights. Would recommend to anyone who is searching for the meaning of it all, whether new Christian or somebody who has believed for a long time.

This book is released at a time when we need less glitz and more honest reflection in the midst of our raw experiences.Scott’s art continues to bring image to areas of my life I fight to see. But, in this book especially he’s doubled down with language that pushes me even further.And the good news? Christ is there. Honest Advent reminds us that when we step away from the innocent manger depictions we are often provided, we can come face to face with the risk filled physical and beautiful incarnation - God with us.God didn’t show up in the calm mangers scenes we see on lawns and thank God. Life is real, physical, spiritual and bloody and God is with in the midst of it.Thank you Scott. I needed this book.

This has been a time of focus and searching… going deeper, all inspired though the art and words here. It truly is a reflection and honest Advent season. Love it.