My upcoming book, Expecting Emmanuel, is now available for pre-order! (You can order it from the publisher, MennoMedia, here, and from Amazon here.)

To receive occasional emails about the status of the book, where/when I may be speaking about the book, a potential virtual Advent small group, and other opportunities, please sign up for the Expecting Emmanuel email list.

My first published book is an Advent and Christmas devotional that explores the Biblical accounts of the women listed in Jesus’ genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. In the days leading up to Epiphany, we will also spend a little time with Anna, the weeping women (in Matthew 2), and Sophia. In addition to reflections on the stories of these women, there is also a blessing in the voices of the women. I am especially excited that my friend, Michelle Burkholder, is providing original artwork to accompany each of the blessings! (Visit Michelle’s Etsy store to see some artwork.)

I love the Biblical stories, and it has been a deep gift to spend time with these remarkable women as I prepare the devotional. It is my hope that this book will be a meaningful companion for many in the holy season of Advent. When I pitched the book to the publisher, I said I wanted to write a devotional for people who like the idea of a devotional, but have a hard time finding actual devotionals they want to use. Expecting Emmanuel is more about asking questions than answering them, more about engaging the beautiful complexity God-with-Us than boiling it all down to a daily inspirational pep talk. I’m trying to write the devotional I would want to read.

This book is primarily a daily devotional for individuals to use during the Advent and Christmas seasons. But I am a pastor, so I will also provide some helpful pieces for pastors (and other leaders of faith communities). In the back of the book you will find guidance for using the material in worship, Sunday School, and retreat settings.

Expecting Emmanuel: Eight Women Who Prepared the Way, is scheduled to be published on September 6, 2022, and you can pre-order it now!

Many thanks to all of you who have been so supportive and encouraging of my writing over the years. I promise not to overwhelm you with all book news all of the time, but I will keep you updated on the process. And I will be honored if some of you choose to use Expecting Emmanuel as a companion for your Advent journey this year.