The Archbishop of York’s Advent Book, 2024

Do Not Be Afraid

Author Rachel Mann
Publisher SPCK £11.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780281090013

The subtitle of this powerful book is: ‘The Joy of Waiting in a Time of Fear.’ As Archbishop Stephen Cottrell reminds us in his foreword, we are living in a fallen, imperfect world, scarred by wars, the climate crisis and injustice. The Advent themes of watching and waiting may therefore easily be lost in such fearful times, especially as waiting – whether in a hospital, in a traffic jam, or for an aeroplane – can add to our anxieties and frustrations. And yet, as Rachel Mann immediately reminds us, despite everything, waiting may be a divine gift – an encounter with holiness and a time when we may receive a vision of grace to still our fears. She provides a personal example. When in some danger in the Caribbean Sea she gazed into the night sky and, seeing for the first time the Milky Way, was ‘surprised by the gift of creation.’ Beholding th

e glory of God, her fears were calmed.

The book comprises a narrative for each day of Advent, culminating in a prayer and questions for reflection. The narratives are original and absorbing. Some are personal biographical stories, sometimes self-deprecating; others are clever reflections on poetry from Christina Rossetti or Emily Dickinson; there is an intriguing passage from Jane Austen’s Persuasion; and reflections on the medieval mystics, Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe. We are also reminded how Mary and Joseph waited for the birth of Jesus; and Elizabeth and Zechariah for John the Baptist. Each reflection draws an appropriate biblical allusion or insight. If readers persist throughout Advent in using these reflections and the questions they evoke, maybe for just 20 minutes each day, I am sure they will be spiritually enriched. And many of the prayers are magnificent and memorable. For Christmas Eve, we pray with Richard Baxter (1690): ‘Keep us, O Lord, while we tarry on this earth, in a serious seeking after you’. And for Christmas Day, we have: ‘God of Love, on this glorious day, may our waiting be at an end.’

This is a book which, in many ways, enriches the concept of Christ’s incarnation.

Reviewed by Peter Clough

Embracing Humanity

Author Isabelle Hamley
Publisher BRF 9.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781800392267

The BRF Advent Book for 2024, sub-titled ‘A journey towards becoming flesh’, is divided into days, covering the Advent period up to Christmas. The  material for each day consists of a Bible passage, commentary, some ideas for eflection and a prayer. In addition, at the back of the book, there are suggestions for group study, handily divided into four sections, suitable for the four weeks of Advent. The commentary is both challenging and approachable. Isabelle Hamley focuses throughout on the amazing gift God gave to the world: Jesus becoming flesh and so taking upon himself all the dangers and the joys which living as a human being involves. Each day is an examination of the way God chose and embraced the human world, shown through the human birth and life of his Son. The passages and commentary explore themes such as loneliness and relationship, lament and hope, bodily resurrection, human uniqueness and limitations, to name but a few. What is clear throughout is that salvation comes by embracing humanity – hence the title – not by trying to renounce it. One delightful touch, reminding us of this humanity, is the fingerprint which appears on the front cover and at many points in the text. I heartily recommend this book as a useful and thought-provoking preparation for Christmas.

Reviewed by Margaret Tinsley

The Love that Moves the Sun

Author Paul Dominiak
Publisher Canterbury £12.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781786225658

The author focuses his Advent writing on the ‘four last things‘: heaven, hell, death and judgement; his introduction begins with endings and e

xplains that the purpose of the Christian life was, and is, to contemplate on these last things. He sets out a history of Christianity from earliest days which sets the scene for an in-depth look at each in turn. When unveiling the mysteries of heaven to us he draws on the Old and New Testaments, and on the many writers who have considered this subject. He encourages us to fuse the ideas together but also to take these into our present-day world situations reminding us that we should not lose sight of our brokenness and need for our God whose priority is a marriage of heaven and earth, right here and now. When considering hell, the author draws from many sources including ancient Christian and non-Christian beliefs. He explores universalism which gives an alternative version of hope. He also uses a quote to awaken us: ‘hell is other people’ and suggests that hell is of our own making. Next, when writing about judgement, the author suggests we consider substituting the word ‘justice’; and he goes on to unpack this at length. He continues with the theme of death, the one certainty in life, and steers us through many beliefs and teachings regarding this subject. Death is the absence of life and the author widens our viewpoint and guides us through an idea that we should consider – new life which would encompass us all, the rich, poor, all faiths, all colours, all classes, all levels of education – death to all that separates us from God’s beautiful created world – love and respect for each other as equal and made in His image. This is the author’s understanding of death. It is for us, as individuals, to change our world around each of us, bringing love, hope and faith. Finally, this little book ends (paradoxically) with an epilogue entitled ‘Beginnings’ and closes with questions for reflection during Advent, either for the reader or for small groups.

Reviewed by SUE PIPER

Women of the Nativity: an Advent and Christmas journey in nine stories

Author Paula Gooder (Illustrated by Ally Barrett)
Publisher Church House Publishing £10.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781781404607

We all love a book for the Christmas season, but sometimes our search for something a little different fails to bear much fruit. Not so on this occasion! Paula has presented us with a wealth of biblical knowledge, enhanced by her in-depth research, and retold in a unique way through the eyes of women – some familiar, others we meet for the first time. Ally Barrett’s illustrations bring the text to life in a beautiful and emotional way as she links each picture with the simplicity of a piece of white cloth. The book takes us through Advent to Candlemas addressing each liturgical day between and linking with the appointed biblical passages. Reflective questions and background perspectives make the book appropriate for group or individual study, connecting with familiar women (Sarah, Rachel, Huldah, Elizabeth, Mary, Anna) and some maybe newer to us but typical of women of their day (Mariamne, Abigail, Shiphrah). Paula is a great storyteller. Her combination of biblical and historical characters with material of her own divinely inspired imagination certainly provides a treat for mature Christians who are looking for something fresh and thought-provoking. Maybe this could prove a little confusing for those newer to the faith. Thank you, Paula and Ally, for helping us to ponder anew the mystery of Incarnation, and to enter more deeply into the heart of the Christmas season.

Reviewed by Betty Taylor

A Calendar of Carols

Author Gordon Giles
Publisher BRF 12,99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781800392793

At last – the perfect way to celebrate the season of Advent, no chocolate necessary! This attractive volume takes us through Advent one day and one carol at a time. Each day accompanied by a prayer and the author’s well researched history in his delightful style. This book will be a valuable resource for those planning services both for regular attenders and for those who come for reasons various and sundry. There is plenty of information on the history and spirituality of the carols to make their introduction more interesting and meaningful – and to give us that frisson, that we have learnt something new and perhaps enchanting.

A Calendar of Carols is also for anyone who finds joy in spending time singing the old favourites throughout December (accompanying You Tube if you so wish). We can revisit forgotten carols, and even discover previously unknown ones. An ideal way to spend a daily time of praise and reflection focusing on the reason for the season. It can be hard distancing ourselves from all the commercial pre-Christmas hullabaloo. Even a few minutes a day with this book will be a boon. Who needs chocolate?
Reviewed by Liz Pacey

Follow the Star: Calm and Bright

Author Sammi Tooze
Publisher CHP £0.99*
Format pbk
ISBN 978178404904

The Church of England’s theme booklet for Christmas 2024 has been written by Sammi Tooze, the Discipleship Adviser for the Diocese of York. It follows the usual pattern: over the twelve days of Christmas, we are presented each day with a Bible reading, a reflection, a short challenge and a prayer. The key words are ‘calm’ and ‘bright’, and the reflections help us to recognise these as the textures of the season. God in the form of a vulnerable baby humbly enters our world on a calm and peaceful night, to the witness of poor shepherds; but the news of his birth must be greeted with joy and brightness. The readings include the traditional birth narratives, but also some original choices such as Luke 10:38-42 – the story of Mary and Martha – and verses of cosmic significance from Ps 139. Sammi Tooze has produced an attractive booklet designed to be given to those attending Carol services, Christingles and Crib services. The calm message and the bright joy of the incarnation is here for all to read. Let us hope and pray that many families and friends do indeed ‘Follow the Star.’

Reviewed by Kate Burton

*Multiple copies are available at £8.50 for 10 or £37.50 for 50; a large print version is £2.00.