168: Appreciating the Deep Magic of Christmas with Dr. Emily Hunter McGowin

No matter how dark the season is, “By God’s abounding grace, Christmas still arrives every year—somehow or other, it comes just the same…to direct our hearts and minds to the story of Christ and his people—and to place our lives and communities within this sacred narrative.”

These are the words of Dr. Emily Hunter McGowin from her new book, “Christmas: The Season of Life and Light.”

Dr. McGowin is associate professor of theology at Wheaton College, and co-pastors with her husband in the Anglican church.

Her new book is part of a series from InterVarsity Press about important dates in the Christian calendar. And I’d say she got the fun assignment: Christmas. Or rather, Christmastide—the 12 days of celebration from Christmas to Epiphany.

It’s a reflection on the moods, themes, rituals, prayers and Scriptures that mark Christmastide. A resource to help us live fully into both the theology and spiritual practices of the season—one of deep magic.  

Because, as she writes, “At the center of the mystery of Christmas is the astonishing fact that God has come to dwell with us.”

Some might question the commercialism of Christmas, and yes discernment is key, but as Dr. McGowin would say, God is in the celebration, too. She writes, “God’s loving embrace extends to our particulars—noses and toes, meals and gifts, decorations and gift-giving.”

The season of life and light. Of timeless beauty.

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