Reasons for the Seasons

Do you ever find yourself drowning in secularization and commercialization, being pulled under as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas intermingle and fly by in a frantic blur? Have you ever wondered if there is any way to reclaim the true meaning of such seasons as Advent and Lent, and be helped to live more intentionally and meaningfully the other Christian celebrations? Reasons for the Seasons makes that possible in a delightfully engaging manner. With humor and rich illustrations, this widely read spiritual author draws upon life experiences from childhood in Appalachia to his teaching at Princeton University and into his spiritual pilgrimage intent on uniting his Protestant mind with a Catholic heart. Focus is given to the church's central seasons of Advent/Christmas/Epiphany and Lent/Easter/Pentecost. Lesser-known Christian celebrations are engaged, such as Candlemas, Trinity Sunday, and the Feast of the Transfiguration. Additionally, illumination is provided for exploring such secular holidays as New Year's, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Halloween. This book will be informative and engaging not only for personal use but also in enabling families to deepen their celebrative time together. Groups will also find it helpful for study, as will churches in giving depth to their liturgical planning. ""Disguised as a beautiful and wise explanation of the Christian liturgical year, Father Jones's delicious book is really a moving and quite personal invitation to examine and celebrate the divine gift of time and our use of it. Without coercing us, God draws us into the sacred spiral of a future full of love's promises, and I can think of no better guide to describe that journey than this lovely book."" --Bill Tammeus, journalist; author of The Value of Doubt: Why Unanswered Questions, Not Unquestioned Answers, Build Faith   ""Just as in finely aged wines you can discern layers of flowers and fruits, so in this work of the mature W. Paul Jones you hear the prophetic tones of Daniel Berrigan, the social radicalism of Stanley Hauerwas, the contemplative breadth of Maggie Ross, and the playful irony of Calvin and Hobbes. At the same time, Jones's reflections on the Christian liturgical year and on our civic holidays sparkle with the delight of the fresh and new."" --Mark A. Scott, Abbot, New Melleray Abbey, Peosta, IA   ""I love Father Paul Jones. His writing, like the man, is deeply spiritual, refreshingly candid, and asks questions that open up new ways of seeing the gospel and the world around us."" --Adam Hamilton, Pastor; Author of Creed: What Christians Believe and Why   ""Each day, Christians pray for the coming of the reign of God. Jesus taught us to pray, 'thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.' Does God answer that prayer? Indeed, we have been given signs of what life is like under God's reign. In this captivating book, W. Paul Jones has taught us how we might taste the kingdom banquet before the feast is fully present. By living the church year, and living it deeply, we experience God's reign and know how it will be when the kingdom has fully come. As you read this book, this brilliant and gentle priest, who has a protestant mind and a catholic heart, will help you to experience the reality of that kingdom for which we pray. This book will nurture your soul, and help you to find islands of holiness in the sea of secularism in which we live."" --William Boyd Grove, Bishop (retired), United Methodist Church W. Paul Jones, Resident Director of the Hermitage Spiritual Retreat Center in southern Missouri, was an ordained United Methodist minister for forty years. He is now an Emeritus Professor of Theology, a Trappist Family Brother, Roman Catholic priest, and author of fourt