Three Wise Women: 40 Devotions Celebrating Advent with Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna

by Dandi Daley Mackall

Overview

An ECPA 2023 Christmas Bestseller!
Spend the 40 days of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany in the company of:

Mary the Mother of Jesus
Elizabeth the Mother of John the Baptist and
Anna the Prophetess at the temple in Jerusalem.

Anticipate, celebrate, and marvel at Jesus' birth with Three Wise Women, a richly researched and faith-building new devotional by Dandi Daley Mackall. We don’t hear many details directly from these three women at the heart of the first Christmas, but Scripture, studies in biblical culture, and an open heart that asks “what if” allows readers to experience new revelations for the holy season that will encourage and strengthen you in becoming a wise woman of God. 
 
Bestselling author Dandi Mackall reflects on the events and lives of these Three Wise Women and invites you to: 

• Delve deeper into what these real-life women may have experienced 
• Ponder a new aspect of the journey toward Christ’s birth and beyond through the voices of Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna 
• Meditate on Old and New Testament Scriptures that speak to women’s hearts across generations and cultures 
• Grow closer to God through insightful devotional readings about Patience, Hope, Faith, Trust, Persistence, Sacrifice, Joy, Grace, Love, Confidence, and more 
• Reflect on your own life using the daily "Pondering Questions," as you see the story of Jesus’ birth afresh through the eyes of faithful women 
• Join with other women in a small group or Bible study to take a faith journey together with Three Wise Women 

An award-winning author, speaker, and passionate scholar of the Scriptures, Dandi shares her heart for Jesus and her own faith journey through this inspired and timely devotional. Beautifully designed with a two-color interior, Three Wise Women is the perfect book to accompany all believers through this holy season of the year, a lovely early Christmas gift, and an excellent resource for women's Bible study groups.

“Dandi Mackall tells the story of Jesus’ birth from the perspectives of Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna in these devotions, allowing readers to imaginatively inhabit the thought world of first-century Middle Eastern women. The three wise women emerge as gentle, strong, and deeply faithful. Each reflection is accompanied by Bible verses, questions to ponder, and a brief prayer.” —The Christian Century
 
Visit threewisewomenbook.com for a study guide, journal, and more free resources to enhance your Advent devotions!
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781640608054
Publisher:	Paraclete Press
Publication date:	09/27/2022
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	375,318
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Dandi Daley Mackall is the award-winning author of over 500 books for children and adults. She visits countless schools, conducts writing assemblies and workshops across the United States, and presents keynote addresses at conferences and young author events. She is also a frequent guest on radio talk shows and has made dozens of appearances on TV. She has won several awards for her writing, including the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children’s Literature, the Edgar Award, and a two-time Mom’s Choice Award winner. Dandi writes from rural Ohio, surrounded by her writer-husband, Joe, their three children and their families, plus horses, dogs, cats, a turtle, a tortoise, and more. 

Editorial Reviews

Dandi Mackall tells the story of Jesus’ birth from the perspectives of Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna in these devotions, allowing readers to imaginatively inhabit the thought world of first-century Middle Eastern women. The three wise women emerge as gentle, strong, and deeply faithful. Each reflection is accompanied by Bible verses, questions to ponder, and a brief prayer.” —The Christian Century

"There is something so calming, so thoughtful, so—forgive me—wise about this book that it seems as though it's been here among us for a long time already: a Christmas devotional that brings to us the lives of the three women most important to the birth of our savior: Mary, Elizabeth and Anna. Dandi Mackall has done something important, and beautiful, and good, calling her readers to ponder anew this miraculous season when the gift of all gifts was bestowed upon us all, and to do so through the eyes of the blessed women involved. This is a wonderful book." —Bret Lott, author of New York Times bestselling book Jewel and Letters and Life: On Being a Writer, On Being a Christian

"Three Wise Women provides a fresh approach to the Christmas season as it gives readers a chance to appreciate the grit, gratitude and spirituality of Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna. The book helps the reader to get inside the thoughts and dreams of these godly women in a new way, and discusses customs, geography and history in a way that brings new insights into what these women’s lives must have been like." —Chuck and Kristen MacDonald, author, journalist, and missionaries
 
“Before I was half-way through Dandi Mackall’s Three Wise Women, I was calling my friends and telling them that they needed to buy this powerful book! We’re now excited to begin a Bible study using the thought-provoking text from Three Wise Women!” —Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton, author of Catholic Book of Bible Stories
 
“The author’s talent at applying well-researched details with narrative makes it a joy to read the personal stories of three women caught up in God’s plan to redeem His creation – by providing them with a Savior in the form of a baby. These three were common women of the day. The author shows how God can use the ordinary to make extraordinary circumstances beyond any human’s control. It is a beautiful, gentle compilation of stories that bring out the magnificence of the Christmas story. The author of hundreds of books is always a stellar storyteller, no matter what she writes.” —Kayleen Reusser, author of Born To Be Soldiers: Those Plucky Women of World War II

“As a person and as an author Dandi Daley Mackall is stellar. In this one-of-a-kind book, Three Wise Women, her passionate devotion to God, her knowledge of the Bible, and her awe-inspiring literary skills coalesce to give us a treasure for the ages. You will be stirred afresh to ponder the miracle of Christ’s birth as you journey through Scripture and identify with Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna. Prepare your own heart for celebrating a supernatural Christmas with this extraordinary Advent treasure.” —Debby Thompson, Missionary, Cru Church Movements, Author of Pulling Back the Iron Curtain: Stories From a Cold War Missionary

“In her latest work, Dandi Daley Mackall has brought to life Three Wise Women: the Virgin Mary, Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and Anna the Prophetess. Ms. Mackall uses Scripture to introduce her subjects, then fleshes the characters out through narratives of the most crucial moments of their lives. The daily devotional encourages readers to ‘ponder’ different topics and then examine similar emotions and situations the three wisewomen experienced. A wonderful, timely and heartwarming devotional!” —Julie K. Rubini, critically acclaimed author of Virginia Hamilton: America’s Storyteller and other biographies of inspiring women, Founder of Claire’s Day, editor of Virginia Hamilton: Five Novels, published by the Library of America

“What a gift our Father gave this author to praise and honor Him with her writing. You have been a blessing to many. I love the concept especially the ‘pondering.’ It allows me to focus strictly on the precious Word of God and then apply it to my life through the questions. I could see friends answering the questions together. Thank you for writing about three of the wonderful wise women. Although we study so much about the disciples, I am often reminded that it was women who were at the foot of the cross with Christ. I only hope that God will use me as he has used you and your gift.” —Mary Ogle, President & CEO of A New Leaf, Inc.; former CEO of American Red Cross, Tulsa Area; CEO of Springfield, IL metro area; and Assistant Director, Emergency Services, Philadelphia, PA

“The poetic nature of Three Wise Women is like a thundering and rolling stream that meets the heart of women who still seek Him. Not only did I find myself roaring for joy, it was a delight to experience the wonder of wise inspiration from the scriptures afresh.” —Kimberly Crislip Payne, Executive Director of The Buckeye Book Fair

"Chills and tears and just WOW. Three Wise Women is a stunningly beautiful perspective of the three women who take part in the most transformative event of all time, the birth of Christ. Dandi has breathed life and emotions into the portraits of these women as they experience the miracle of the greatest gift this world has ever known. We feel their fear and faith, their worry and wonder, their loneliness and love as they walk through the days that changed the world forever. And by walking with them, I know that we will be changed forever too." —Amy Parker, Bestselling, Award-Winning Children’s Author and podcast host

"In Three Wise Women, author Dandi Daley Mackall offers readers an insightful volume that can be used for study and reflection through the liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. Each day's reading has a particular focus which includes pertinent Biblical passages and references, a devotional, and questions for reflection which are capped by a short prayer. The author beautifully weaves the stories of Mary, mother of Jesus, Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and Anna the Prophetess in a way that beckons readers to accompany them in their journey of faith and informs and deepens understanding of their lives. Whether used for personal study or shared with a friend or group, Three Wise Women encourages a daily practice which can nurture lives and promote spiritual growth." —Tish Gayle, Inscribed Books & Gifts (Cincinnati, OH)

“The selection of relevant content from both the Old and New Testaments will refresh Biblical truths for those who have repeatedly walked the road to Bethlehem. Yet this same Scriptural base will provide a solid factual framework for those who have barely heard the voices of these three women. I especially appreciated the rich word pictures of life in Middle Eastern culture at the time of Jesus’ birth. Journal entries oozed authenticity as I recalled the imminent urgency to deliver a child as felt by Mary, identified with Elizabeth’s loneliness as her husband served God or reclined at the end of the day with the elderly Anna. In the Author’s Note, Dandi Daley Mackall invites us to ‘draw deeper into the heart of God.’ I accepted her invitation to join the Three Wise Women and was blessed.” —Dr. Mary Manz Simon, award-winning author, consultant and speaker

"Paraclete Press is a premier publisher of ecumenical books with a liturgical and sacramental perspective; their Advent and Lenten books are not just staples for us, but true joys to promote. We stock almost everything they do and, in this case, we’re delighted for this lovely book by an author who is known for doing charming children’s books, YA stuff, and delightfully evangelical resources for Christian living. This may be her most sophisticated project yet and yet it carries her grace and insight. Writing from rural Ohio, she help us, as she says, “anticipate, celebrate, and marvel” at Jesus’s birth. I suppose this is designed mostly for women readership, but you know us — we’d recommend it to anyone who needs this Biblical content, this encouragement, this bit of healthy calm, published in a handsome hardback. It has illustrations and even a ribbon marker, making it a very nice gift." —Byron Borger, Hearts and Minds Books

From the Publisher