Amy-Jill Levine is the University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and the Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Sciences. An internationally renowned scholar and teacher, she is the author of numerous books. In Advent 2020, Presbyterians across the country are invited to join a denomination-wide book study on Levine’s Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent.

The book traces the Christmas narrative through the stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the journey to Bethlehem and the visit from the Magi. Lingering in the often-overlooked details of these biblical characters and the situations they find themselves in, Levine explores the historical context, the literary and aesthetic implications, and the significance of the nativity story for readers then and now. Contemporary readers will learn how these texts would have been read by those in the time they were written, and also how Matthew and Luke’s accounts of the nativity continue to be good news for us today.

Led by Rev. Dr. Glenn Chestnutt, we begin our four-week consecutive study via zoom on Wednesday, November 25 at 11:00 a.m. To register, please click the Zoom link below. The cost of the book is $20.00. To arrange for pick-up of a copy, please contact the Church office at 514-842-3431.