Christmas with Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was someone who lived his faith. His theology was embodied in his action, and he paid the ultimate price of martyrdom rather than retreat to the safety of far-away places. God called him to be faithful in the midst of a troubled world, and he followed that call. Executed just before the end of World War II, he spent his time under suspicion and in prison not being sorrowful at an unjust fate, but rather ministering to others around him, keeping faith and hope alive, for them, and ultimately, for us, his future readers. It is quite something to imagine a man in the turmoil of Nazi Germany, eventually being part of the horrible Nazi prison system, being able to write and live in a hopeful and hope-filled manner. In many ways, the Christian story recounts similar themes - the Christ child is born into a world locked in sin, and suffers an unjust fate at the hands of brutal oppressors bent on world domination. Bonhoeffer is a Christ-like figure without his even trying to be. His life and his writings provide a very inspirational element to the holiday season. This book is a collection of excerpts from Bonhoeffer's works, including poems and sermons. Some of these include `The Manger and the Cross', `God Travels Wonderful Paths', and `Christ Has Taken on Human Form'. This book was published in 2004 in German; this edition available in 2005 is the first English translation of the same. The book itself is a beautiful piece, with nice typesettings, interesting page-layouts, and photographs that add to the spirit of the writings and the season - pictures of the sun through snow-covered trees, other pastoral scenes show the stark winter and the bright sunshine together; These are pieces for meditation. The excerpts are often short, poignant or otherwise meaningful, drawing the careful reader in to contemplation and prayer. This book makes a wonderful gift for oneself and for others.