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.

Sacred Space:
Advent and Christmas 2024

Author The Irish Jesuits
Publisher Messenger €7.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781788127011

Sacred Space:
The Companion

Author The Irish Jesuits
Publisher Messenger €14.95
Format hbk
ISBN 9781788126816

These two attractive books, from the Irish Jesuits, promote Ignatian spirituality through the practice of daily prayer. The Advent-Christmas material is designed as a spiritual anchor and reassures us of the certainty of faith in a time threatened by widespread global conflict. It includes detailed resources for an Advent retreat. The Companion book, in hardback, is a more substantial resource for the liturgical year from Advent through to Easter and includes further guidance for retreats and many more prayers in the Ignatian tradition. Although written primarily for Catholic congregations, many Anglicans may find these little volumes inspiring and helpful.

Reviewed by Kate Burton

Reflections for Daily Prayer: Advent 2024 to Eve of Advent 2025

Author Justine Allain Chapman et al
Publisher CHP £17.99 (also available as an App, £12.99)
Format pbk
ISBN 9781781404577

Advent approaches, and a new volume of Reflections for Daily Prayer heralds the start of the liturgical year. I find the annual publication of this volume comforting and encouraging, for it provides a wise and illuminating reflection for each weekday of the year, designed to accompany our office of Morning Prayer. Several thoughts came to mind as I perused this new edition.

First, I was struck by the wealth and depth of talent within the Church of England. I did not notice a single reflection which was dull or unoriginal; every page seemed to have a fresh, challenging insight from a wise bishop, a learned archdeacon or a distinguished author. I won’t name them all, but you can find their names on the Church House Publishing website. It is enough to say they are all distinguished Christians, who write with authority and sensitivity.

Secondly, we should thank God for the richness of scripture and the way it accompanies us through each year. This book enables us to spend the dark days of Advent with Revelation and the Thessalonian letters; Epiphany with Amos, Lent and Passiontide with the Gospel of John. We have Ephesians for the Easter season, and a variety of books for the long season of Trinity. These daily reflections cover great tranches of the Bible and help to embed the readings into our minds and our souls.

Morning Prayer should not be an occasional option for ministers. It is a refreshment and a daily renewal. As the book jacket emphasises, these reflections will enrich your daily prayer and provide spiritual food for the day. It may even give you new ideas for your sermons!

So, well done, Church of England – you are still capable of excellence and disseminating wisdom. And thank you, Church House Publishing, for making this helpful and accessible guide available to us. It is now available as an app as well as a paperback and represents good value for money. I calculated that each daily reflection costs under 6p or around 4p if you buy the app – not too much for a daily blessing!

Reviewed by Elizabeth Stephenson

The Canterbury Preacher’s
Companion 2025

Author Catherine Williams (ed.)
Publisher Canterbury Press £19.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781786225559

This book has become an annual institution under the wise and careful editorship of Rev Catherine Williams, who leads the Daily Prayer podcasts and is therefore the melodious public ‘voice’ of the Church of England. It covers the lectionary for year C (the year of Luke),  beginning in Advent 2024. There are two sermons for each Sunday of the Church year – for the principal (Eucharist) service and for the second service (usually Evensong). There are third options for special Sundays such as Mothering Sunday or Remembrance, including some ‘all-age’ material. The final part of the book comprises sermons for saints’ days or festivals, generally on weekdays. In other words, this is a comprehensive compendium of resources for the ecclesiastical year. The quality of the material is strong throughout, as you would expect from such renowned preachers and writers as Kate Bruce, Isabelle Hamley, Rachel Mann and Liz Shercliff – but all the authors make sound and entertaining contributions.

The editor rightly emphasises that these sermons are designed to fire the imagination. They really should not be copied and read out verbatim, for a sermon should always be unique in time and place and congregation – an intersection with the divine. But readers may discover here the germ of an idea, or a stunning interpretation, which can inspire first the preacher, and then the congregation.

There is a wonderful introduction to the book from Rev Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James’s, Piccadilly, who provides some memorable, thought-provoking phrases. I particularly liked: ‘Within contemporary British society, preaching a sermon is frankly quite weird.’ This reminds us of course that the world has moved on in the last thirty years or so and that most communication simply represents shallow sound bites. Nonetheless, as Winkett reminds us, preaching is surely a privilege and should not be taken for granted. So, ‘stay close to the edge, stay close to the truth and keep looking for fresh perspectives…remain attentive to the Spirit.’ This highly recommended book will certainly help you do that.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Stephenson