Light of the World: A Beginner's Guide to Advent, Revised and Expanded

by Amy-Jill Levine

Publisher:

Abingdon Press

, 2026

Overview

Uncover the roots of the Christmas story.

Amy-Jill Levine’s classic Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent is back in a newly revised and expanded edition. Award-winning biblical scholar and New Testament professor Amy-Jill Levine invites readers on an accessible, thought-provoking journey through the biblical texts surrounding the story of the birth of Jesus

Perfect for individual study, small groups, or church Advent programs, Light of the World traces the Christmas story from its Old Testament roots through the New Testament accounts, exploring the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the Virgin Mary, the journey to Bethlehem, and the visit of the Magi. With the clarity and warmth she is known for, Levine illuminates the cultural, historical, and theological significance of each passage, making complex biblical scholarship accessible to readers of every background and faith tradition.

Readers will explore:
The deep connections between the Christmas narrative and Old Testament prophecy
The role of women in first-century Jewish culture
The importance of Mary’s visit
The revolutionary implications of the Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise
The historical context of the census, the stable, and the journey to Bethlehem
The meaning of the Star of Bethlehem and the flight to Egypt

Whether you are new to Bible study or returning to a familiar story with fresh questions, this Advent devotional and Bible study guide offers rich, rewarding reading for the Christmas season. Ideal for Christians, interfaith readers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Nativity story, Light of the World is an essential addition to your Advent reading list.

Each book includes everything you need for a meaningful study experience — plus a redemption code to stream all video sessions and unlock leader resources online. Internet connection required. Code is non-transferable, may not be sold separately, and is subject to expiration.

Ideal for: Individual study, small groups, Church Advent programs, New Bible readers and those returning to a familiar story with fresh questions, Christians, interfaith readers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Nativity story

Key Features

Award-winning New Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine brings her signature clarity and warmth to this newly revised and expanded edition of her beloved Advent classic

The study traces the Christmas narrative from its Old Testament roots through the New Testament accounts, offering readers a richer understanding of how the two testaments speak to one another

Topics range from the cultural world of first-century Jewish women to the revolutionary theology of the Magnificat, giving readers fresh eyes for a familiar story

Designed for individuals, small groups, and church Advent programs, the guide welcomes readers of every background and faith tradition into accessible, rewarding biblical scholarship

Each copy includes an access code to stream video sessions and unlock leader resources online, making it a complete and ready-to-use resource for the Advent season

Product Details

• Title: Light of the World: A Beginner's Guide to Advent, Revised and Expanded
• Author: Amy-Jill Levine
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Print Publication Date: 2026
• Logos Release Date: 2026
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781791045975, 9781791045968, 1791045960, 1791045979
• Resource ID: LLS:9781791045975
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2026-04-24T17:06:57Z

About Amy-Jill Levine

Amy-Jill Levine is E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Department of Religious Studies, and Graduate Department of Religion. Holding a B.A. from Smith College, an M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University, and honorary Doctorates from the University of Richmond and the Episopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, Levine has been awarded grants from the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American Council of Learned Societies. She has held office in the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association, and the Association for Jewish Studies. Her most recent publications include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus; the edited collection, The Historical Jesus in Context; and the fourteen-volume series, Feminist Companions to the New Testament and Early Christian Writings. She has recorded “Introduction to the Old Testament,” “Great Figures of the Old Testament,” and “Great Figures of the New Testament” for the Teaching Company’s “great lectures” series. A self-described “Yankee Jewish feminist who teaches in a predominantly Protestant divinity school in the buckle of the Bible Belt,” Levine combines historical-critical rigor, literary-critical sensitivity, and a frequent dash of humor with a commitment to eliminating anti-Jewish, sexist, and homophobic theologies.