Companions on
the Bethlehem Road

Author Rachel Boulding
Publisher BRF Centenary Classics £14.99 New edition 2022
Format hbk
ISBN 9781800390881

Based on biblical readings from the lectionary for every day from the beginning of December until 6 January, this Advent book uses poetic references to illuminate our thoughts. The passages are treated thematically, based on the traditional themes of Advent – death , judgement, heaven and hell – then move on to ideas about Christmas, the new life of the Incarnation and the cherishing of the world into which God came. The author uses ‘the craft and expertise’ of a variety of poets, some traditional and well-known, some less familiar. While Rachel Boulding admits that none of them wrote specifically to deepen the faith of twenty-first century readers, there is much spiritual insight to be gained from their works. It is good to have the Bible passage included for each day and the use of comment and poetry certainly illuminates the passage, although at times, I would have appreciated more of the particular poem being included; some extracts are very brief. Even so, there are riches here, and in the reflection which concludes each day’s entry. This is an excellent volume for personal, daily use but also has questions for discussion and reflection, which opens it up for wider, group use. As an attractive, hard-backed volume, this book would make an excellent pre-Christmas gift.

Reviewed by MARGARET TINSLEY

Advent

Sacred Space:
Advent & Christmas 2022-2023

Author The Irish Jesuits
Publisher Messenger Publications €7.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781788125611

This attractive little book will be most useful to Anglo-Catholics and those who take communion regularly, even every day, during Advent and Christmas, as it contains the readings and a short reflection for each Sunday and weekday Eucharist of these seasons. It also has weekly meditations, material to augment an Advent retreat and structured prayers. There is deep spirituality within these pages, and to follow this material faithfully will require dedication and discipline. For, as the cover description notes, ‘Advent is a signpost to a larger reality’, and therefore challenges us as to how we read these signs and act upon them during the season of Advent.

Reviewed by ELIZABETH HOGG

Advent

#Follow the Star: The Great Invitation

#Follow The Star is the Church of England’s Christmas theme for 2022, and comprises imaginative and attractive materials, designed for parishes to engage their congregations and especially ‘fringe’ members or newcomers to the Christian faith. The themes of invitation, welcome and the promise of hospitality are prominent. The resources include

A booklet of twelve reflections on the theme of invitation, one for each day (Monday to Saturday) from Christmas Eve to Epiphany on 6 January. The authors include the Archbishops of York and Canterbury, but also other personalities, such as the athletes Naomi Metzger, Anne Wafula Strike and the broadcasters Zeb Soanes and Gemma Hunt. They help to give a dynamic, contemporary feel to the invitation to celebrate, within the compass of the traditional Christmas narrative. Many of their insights and reflections would provide useful narrative material for short talks at Christmas services – perhaps especially Christingles.

Reviewed by ELIZABETH STEPHENSON

Family prayer card in the form of a star which will work as a Christmas decoration.

Invitation Christmas card with space to advertise local events such as Carol Services for members of the congregation to distribute – an ideal opportunity to invite their neighbours and friends.

Book mark with prayer – ideal for distribution as a token gift at the end of a Christmas service.

All available for bulk purchase from Church House Publishing at www.chpublishing.co.uk See below for prices.

Booklet
ISBN 9781781403839
Single copy – £0.80
Pack of 10 – £7.00
Pack of 50 – £30

Large print version
ISBN 9781781403860
Single copy – £1.50.

Family Prayer Card
Pack of 50 – £16.00

Invitation Card
Pack of 50 – £10.00

Prayer Bookmark
Pack of 50 – £7.50

Advent

Reflections for Daily Prayer 2022-2023

Author Steven Croft, Paula Gooder and others
Publisher CHP £16.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780715123966

Readers and LLMs are called to be regular and systematic in daily prayer, and this volume, published annually, will help to enrich their experience. Covering Monday to Saturday throughout the year (Advent 2022 to Advent Eve 2023), it provides a short but enlightening spiritual reflection for each Morning Prayer, based on the Anglican lectionary readings.

There is a distinguished range of authors, well known for their writings and/or broadcasts, including Paula Gooder who has produced the Holy Week reflections. I particularly liked the insights from some of the less well-known contributors such as Luigi Gioia and John Perumbalath (now newly appointed as Bishop of Liverpool).

Although the paperback is large, the price may deter some individual readers; perhaps the most effective use may come in ministries where several members of the team come together for Morning Prayer. A reading of the daily reflection may then generate useful discussion after the worship.

Reviewed by ELIZABETH HOGG

Advent

The Deep End – Year of Matthew.  

Author Triona Doherty & Jane Mellett
Publisher Messenger Publications €14.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781788125642

Subtitled, ‘A journey with the Sunday Gospels in the year of Matthew’, this guide to reading the Gospel is a valuable resource. As well as a commentary on the texts used, it has a  variety of quotations that from many different sources that could be a treasury for  preparing preachers to plunder. Each reading comes with a section called ‘Go deeper’ which encourages the reader to think about the application of the passage to the world we live in now. Although from  a Roman Catholic source, this will be an aid to help for Year A Anglican lectionary readings throughout 2022-23.

Reviewed by CAVAN WOOD

Advent