Candles in the Darkness: Experiencing Advent with the Early and Medieval Church

Illuminating Advent Through Diverse Voices from Early Christianity

In Candles in the Darkness, historian Lynneth Miller Renberg and theologian Adam R. Renberg invite us to travel back in time and encounter faithful voices from many walks of life, including bishops and mothers, monks and nuns, priests, pastors, and noblewomen.

For each day of Advent and the Christmastide, this thoughtful devotional will connect you to the global and historical body of Christ, offering a new, deeper experience of the season through rediscovering treasures from Christians of long ago.

The writers featured in Candles in the Darkness lived throughout the early Christian world, from Scandinavia and the British Isles to Ethiopia and China. They include well-known leaders such as Augustine of Hippo and Francis of Assisi, as well as many largely forgotten figures. With a variety of sermons, poems, theological meditations, and more, these selections draw you into the wonders of Christ's first and second comings. Through biographical sketches at the end of the book, you'll learn more about each historical believer.

Each daily reading for Advent and the twelve days of Christmas includes

• a Scripture text,
• an excerpt from an author from the second through thirteenth centuries,
• a devotional reflection, and
• a prayer.

By reflecting on the perspectives of women and men from different chronological, geographic, and theological traditions in the ancient and medieval church, your readings of familiar Scripture passages will be enriched with new perspectives and insights from past brothers and sisters in Christ. As you worship and learn together with them, you'll be reoriented toward Christ, our light in the darkness.

When your spiritual life feels stagnant, the world feels too noisy, or Advent feels like just another repetitive season, Candles in the Darkness can help you know God more fully by seeing him through the eyes of past believers.

Lynneth Miller Renberg (PhD, Baylor University) is associate professor of history and associate director of the Honors College at Anderson University. She is the author of a number of publications, including Women, Dance, and Parish Religion in England, 1300-1600 and The Cursed Carolers in Context.

Adam R. Renberg (PhD, University of St Andrews) is assistant professor of theology at Anderson University and theologian in residence and teaching pastor at Capstone Church. His publications include The Son Is Truly Son: The Trinitarian and Christological Theology of Eusebius of Caesarea.