O Come Emmanuel: Reflections on the Advent Antiphons

Author David Hoyle et al
Publisher CHP £9.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781781405192

One of the enduring notes of the Advent season is the way that the liturgical mood changes after 17 December, principally because the introduction of the Advent antiphons helps to lighten the atmosphere through the very darkest days of the year.  The early weeks of Advent are characterised by lectionary readings from Revelation; by eschatological messages and commemorations of dour prophets.  The Christian mood music for the first weeks of Advent contrasts rather sharply with secular life, where the blandishments of Christmas festivity are already firmly embedded, with much premature feasting and indulgence.  This slim, attractive volume works in a different way, for it starts with the antiphons and applies their message throughout 24 days of Advent.  (As with Advent calendars, the starting point has to be 1 December, ignoring the fact that Advent Sunday may fall anywhere between 27 November and 3 December).  But 24 days allows for three reflections each, divided among eight highly distinguished Anglican authors (Jane Williams, Chris Russell, Esther Prior, Philip North, Muthuraj Swamy, Tanya Marlow, David Hoyle and Lucy Winkett).  This is therefore a heavyweight, high quality book of reflections which will illuminate the short, dark December days.  Its written power is augmented by excellent artwork from Sun Young Kim, a Korean illustrator and visual storyteller. 

Nonetheless, I am slightly ambivalent about this book.  On the one hand, it is clearly a devotional masterpiece written by authors of genuine stature, whose insights cannot fail to strengthen our faith.  On the other, by inverting the Advent lectionary, it somehow disrupts the usual impetus of the season, which starts with themes of judgement and the end times and only gradually approaches the incarnational message.  Will the concept of a penitential season be lost?   Perhaps that would be no bad thing – for ultimately, Advent must be a season of great joy.

Reviewed by Leonard Rickard

Advent, Nativity