Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God

by Bobby Gross

Infuse your days with meaning. You are part of a larger Story. And the One who began the Story is at work today, in your life, in the midst of your meetings and bills and family activities that make the days rush by and blur together. In these pages Bobby Gross opens to you--and opens you to--the liturgical year, helping you inhabit God's Story every day. Whether you're familiar or unfamiliar with following the liturgical year, this book makes it easy to do, offering here the significance and history of each season, ideas for living out God's Story in your own life, and devotions that follow the church calendar for each day of the year. "The power that overshadowed Mary and raised Jesus from the dead also guarantees the final redemption of all things in him; that same power is at work in us now," Gross writes. "Keeping liturgical time, making it sacred, opens us further to this power as, year after year, we rehearse the Story of God-- remembering with gratitude, anticipating with hope--and over time live more deeply the Story of our lives."

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Religion, Faith, Spirituality

334 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice introduction to the liturgical calendar. Plan to go slowly to get the most out of this beginning with the first Sunday in Advent.

[Lisamarie Landreth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The God & Glam Bible Study Devotional

Read it for the fourth year and a row and planning to read it again next year. It's inexhaustible.

[Dee Anne]

Growing up Baptist, I did not have even a passing acquaintance with the liturgical calendar. This book has given me insight into the richness of the liturgy and the blessing of following the liturgical calendar. I find meaning in history and learning about all the men and women who have worshiped in this way. In addition to being a genuinely nice guy and a thoughtful writer, Bobby Gross makes the liturgical calendar about the Story of God. I always appreciate a good story!

[Evan Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this as my main devotional this year. I certainly wasn't able to use it every day, but when I did, I enjoyed it. I am in a season of my church life in which I am not able to be in an Anglican church, so this book was a good way for me to stay connected to the liturgical church year, although it sometimes would make me miss what I don't have right now. Gross has been in the Anglican tradition that he gives more than just the simplified, user-friendly version of things, but really is able to get to the heart of why these traditions matter and what they teach us about God and the way he wants us to live.

One sort of interesting consequence of this book is that it was good enough to inspire me to take its advice, which actually led me away from the book from time to time. For example, it suggested back in the early part of the year to read through the book of Mark. So I (immediately) did because I hadn't read straight through it in a while. Any devotional that leads you right back to the scriptures is probably doing things the right way.

In conclusion, I will come back to this book over the years I am sure. I am looking at using another devotional using the saints as its focus for this coming year. In a time in my life when I am lacking community, being in the presence of the communion of saints is very helpful to me.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not coming from a liturgical church community, it's only been recently that I've discovered the other Christian "holidays" outside of Christmas and Easter. "Living the Christian Year" is a good introduction to the idea of living a year with Christian rhythms and seasons. For me, it's not something I'll have to do, but something to look forward to. Something to break up the time between Christmas and Easter and to focus on what matters most.

[LAMONT D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting and helpful book that looks at the Christian Year or Calendar. It is part history lesson, part devotional guide for the whole year, and part biblical interpretation and commentary including the author's spiritual journey. It would be a crazy-good resource to use as a devotional for one year. It certainly is laid out that you could skip and join the seasons or weeks that you want to participate in. Each week is laid out with an introduction including "Approaching God", "Presenting Myself" and "Inviting God's Presence." He then gives you the scripture that you can read, study and meditate on including his own comments on what the scripture is saying and what questions to ask yourself. Then each week ends with your response to God and a prayer. Each major section of the calendar or chapter in the book is preceded with a very good summary of the historical perspective and the meaning behind the particular dates on the calendar and related symbols. You will learn a lot as I did from these sections, and they alone are worthy of your time if you didn't want to use the book as a devotional at any given moment. The overall three main cycles are: the Cycle of Light which celebrates the incarnation (God with us), the Cycle of Life in which we contemplate salvation (God for us) and the Ordinary Time whereby we concentrate on the outworking of that redemption (God through us).

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, helpful resource for learning the rhythms, history, and context of the liturgical year, accompanied by daily devotions for each season in the Cycles of Love, Light, and Life.

I loved this ending quote from Eugene Peterson to aptly sum up the workings of liturgy:

"Liturgy gathers the holy community as it reads the Holy Scriptures into the sweeping tidal rhythms of the church years in which the story of Jesus and the Christian makes its rounds century after century, the large and easy interior rhythms of a year that moves from birth, life, death, resurrection, on to spirit, obedience, faith, and blessing."

[Laney Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My love for the liturgical church calendar is ever expanding, and this phenomenal book only provided greater insight and context to the beauty of the Christian Year. I opted to read it all in one season (Advent) to learn about the entire rhythm we are invited into instead of treating it as a devotional to guide me through each season (although it would be a lovely book to engage in that way; the devotional thoughts and meditations are quite profound). I will definitely be returning to this book as the various seasons of the calendar come around, but am so grateful for the overview I received through reading this book. So many nuggets of truth and beauty to be found here.

[Andrew Farr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful introduction to the liturgical calendar. Could have been better in a defense of why to use it as a church as opposed to just privately. Obviously relies heavily on Anglican, Lutheran Protestant traditions as well as RCC and Orthodox. Would have been interesting to see if he could have made more statements by the early Reformed who would have favored more of a liturgical calendar. The devotional material is helpful for those looking for guidelines.

[Casey Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rooted in both scripture and the church calendar, this is probably the best devotional I've ever worked my way through.

[Andrea Renfrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice introduction to the liturgical calendar. I'm adding it to our Baptist Church Library as a resource, but I honestly don't understand the need for doing everything liturgically this way than I did before. I was looking for some enlightenment on the practice and I think I'm going to have to dig much deeper than this book provides for the answers I seek.

[Becker · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fine introduction to the liturgical calendar, but I don’t really like devotionals.

[Amanda Rogozinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite devotional that I've ever used. I've been curious about the meaning of the different seasons of the Church Year (usually I only hear about Advent and Lent), and Gross' writing really draws out the beauty of it very practically, suggesting ways to physically live out the truth that each season meditates on. His short analyses of the biblical passages chosen for each week are poignant and thought provoking, and appropriate for re-reading year after year. I really like how he chooses passages that speak to the same idea though drawn evenly from the whole compass of scripture. I also like that the chapters are week by week rather than day by day. This way the focus is more on taking the lump of connecting passages as a whole to meditate on what they add to one another.
Gross spends time at the beginning of each seasonal division to explain historical context and traditions, not in a way that is merely informative, but in a way that draws you in to the big picture of those who have celebrated Christ throughout time and place.

For my full review you are welcome to visit

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I've been familiar with "the Christian year" and observed most of it, I'd never known the history of some of the events/celebrations of my faith. The author has done a fine bit of research so that I was able to understand more about how the events of Jesus' life form my faith.

The book includes ways to prepare for each week with prayers, worship, and Bible readings to connect with the current time of the year. "Ordinary time" isn't so ordinary. Advent now resembles more to me than a candle holder or calendar. A second reading will be necessary so I can simply enjoy the ride since this first reading was all about learning more about God and His Son.

[Mike Schutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource and encouraging read. Bobby Gross does a nice job of mixing liturgical history, devotional practice, and spiritual direction as he walks readers through the Christian year. I used it as a guide in a small group, and our celebrations of Jesus throughout the year were enriched.

[Justin Tibbels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God by Bobby Gross has been by far my favorite devotional over the years. For more, read the full review on my blog...

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a devotional that I will continue to read.

[Dan King · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been GREAT for getting me more immersed in the liturgical calendar. I've recently moved from a non-denominational, charismatic church to the Episcopal church. So this helped me better understand the seasons we move through, and brought more depth to my worship through the seasons.

Being in a liturgical church now, I didn't need the devotions. But I can see how they would be helpful to someone not worshipping in this kind of tradition.

Regardless of not needing a bunch of the book, the parts I did want/need were spectacular. And the author even notes in the epilogue that some may use the book exactly as I did.

Definitely well worth the read for anyone not familiar with worshipping through the liturgical calendar.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did skim read the devotional sections of this book, as I was primarily interesting in the historical context and outlines of the liturgical year. The whole thing was pretty great, just not quite what I was reading the book for.

While it is quite a personal book, it also has a nice academic ring to it. While I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to someone who is solely looking to find out about the Christian calendar, if you are wanting to have a go practicing it and not come from a tradition that prioritised it, this would make for a good primer.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed unwrapping what Advent is through this authors book. He explains the meaning behind the traditions and the timing of them all. It is a book that can be read year after year. He even has a calendar in the back of the book to do such a thing. I appreciate that it is a devotional for the whole year as well. He reminds the reader of ordinary time and uses many scriptures and a little exert on how it can be applied in the everyday. I plan to read it again this year. There is a lot to unpack and I look forward to the reminders and learning something new again this year.

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good description and historical context to understand the Christian calendar. This is aimed at evangelicals who have not been steeped in liturgical church and those not familiar with the intricacies of the the Christian calendar and traditions. The devotional part was okay more of a 3 star as it was mostly just verses to look up each week (not a traditional devotional) but I really enjoyed the chapters that discussed the calendar events (i.e. Lent, Advent etc).

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book if you are new to following a church calendar. Each liturgical celebration is described in detail plus you have the weekly readings all available to you. I would highly recommend if you are searching for a new way to read scripture, if you are tired of devotionals, or if you want to understand what it means to be formed by liturgy living all year in the story of Christ. Terrific resource for us in the ‘low Church’ and want to know more.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The problem with checking out books from the library that are supposed to span a year is that you have to fly through them a lot faster than intended, and you inevitably miss out on a lot of the depth and the impact.

That said, it is a helpful way to determine which of those books you want on your shelves. I have been doing more reading on the liturgical year and wanting to incorporate it more into our daily life, and I think Living the Christian Year could be a helpful resource.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much we can learn from following the liturgical year, and this devotional beautifully weaves it all together for every Christian, not just the Catholic. From Jesus' 1st Advent through Ordinary Time toward the anticipation of Christ's 2nd Advent, you will see your life as a Christian deepened and enriched through the Scripture that ties it all together. This is my go-to daily devotional!

[Ethan West · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first deep dive into the litugical year and following along with it. It was hard and at times I felt like I was reading just to check a box. Now that I have done it once though I am looking forward to revisiting this in the years to come and digging even deeper. It's a good reminder of the sacredness of all of life. Far too often I live as if my public life is different than my private life or that my spiritual life is separate from who I am at work or at the gym. That is not true. The gospel of Jesus makes all of life sacred. Every single bit of it.

[Megan Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A year-long devotional that follows the Christian calendar through its seasons of light, life, and love. Each week there are scripture readings with commentary in each along with opening and closing prayers. At each major section (advent, lent, and ordinary time) there is a more detailed discussion of the season. A very good read for learning more about the seasons of Christian life.

[Mairin Schuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of the Christian calendar with devotional content to help make the most of every season. It’s been extremely fruitful for our family as we learn to orient our years around the things of God! I’d like to read a more practical book of how to celebrate each season, though I suppose that’s my job as the woman in the home- to get creative and make it all actually come alive beautifully.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and thoughtful guide through the church calendar. I found the introductions to each season particularly meaningful. It is a little dense, and I lost the thread a little during the long stretch of Ordinary Time, but I still found it incredibly meaningful and am sure I will revisit it in years to come.

[JulS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tip: start the book at Advent and plan on spending 30-45 minutes each week for a year.

Page 320: “The Christian year helps us to live inside the Story that grounds us in our truest identity and gives our lives their deepest meaning. We absorb its liberating truth, we embrace its transforming goodness and we revel in its luminous beauty.”

[Rachel Hafler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book for learning about the church calendar and actually observing the liturgical year! I love the sections introducing each season and explaining its history and significance. The devotions were also very well done! This will be a resource that I return to over and over again.