Stick with Love

Author Arun Arora
Publisher SPCK £10.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780281089857

The Archbishop of York’s Advent Book 2023

Arun Arora became Bishop of Kirkstall in the Diocese of Leeds in 2022 and was previously Director of Communications for the Church of England. His previous experiences as priest and journalist are evident in this attractive, passionate and committed book which provides an interesting journey through Advent. It has a special focus on narratives that illustrate the pressing need for social and racial justice in our broken society. It is no surprise to discover that the title, ‘Stick with love’, comes from the American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King.

There is a conventional pattern to the book: a short essay for each day of Advent, followed by points for reflection, to make readers pause and ponder through the busy December days. Bishop Arun places special emphasis on the saints whose festivals and commemorations are marked in the Anglican calendar, together with other Christian heroes – many of whom deserve to be better known. Thus, we learn more about ancient saints whose lives are often shrouded in legend (Nicholas, Ambrose, Lucy, John of the Cross) and modern heroes of the faith such as Eglantyne Jebb and Florence Li Tim-Oi, the very first woman priest in the Anglican Communion. The book is, however, no conventional liturgical journal of days; it brims with modern stories of faith and autobiographical details of Bishop Arun’s own journey of faith (his mother a Hindu, his father a Sikh), including his ‘conversion’ at a Billy Graham rally at Villa Park football ground. The result is an eclectic mixture of fine stories which will encourage and hearten readers, while stirring our consciences – for many injustices need to be challenged, including institutional racism within our church. ‘Where are you from?’ asked a lady in the congregation. Arun replied (adopting the accent), ‘from Birmingham.’ But the lady persisted: ‘Where are you really from?’

I recommend this fine, original book for the season of Advent. As the Reverend Kate Bottley remarks on the cover blurb: ‘It gathers the beautifully diverse family of faith around the table…as we prepare for the great feast that is to come’.

Reviewed by LEONARD RICKARD

Advent

Follow the Star Join the Song

Author Richard Carter
Publisher CHP
Large print   –  £2.00
Pack of 10 –  £8.50
Pack of 50 –  £37.50
Format pbk
ISBN 9781781404362

This little booklet is introduced by our Archbishops, Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell. At one level it is a simple reminder of our traditional Christmas narrative, but it also encourages reflection on the eternal significance of the season. At the stable door we, ‘…come into the presence of Jesus Christ – a relationship which begins at Christmas but lasts forever.’

There are twelve reflections, beginning on Christmas Eve and ending on the eve of Epiphany. The author, Richard Carter has produced fresh, original ideas with biblical references which blend the well-known Christmas narratives (e.g., Luke 2:1-7, John 1:1-14) with passages such as 1 Kings 19:11-12, Phil. 2:5-11, John 3:16-21, which are not always read during the Christmas season. The reflections helpfully remind us of the wider implications of the incarnation and our feelings at this time of year. It is a season when the Christian religion permeates all our actions yet is too readily ignored by the secular world. These reflections will help redress the balance and should prove useful for members of congregations, especially those who come at Christmas but otherwise seldom attend. This could be the ideal gift for each family at a Christingle or crib service.

Reviewed by ELIZABETH STEPHENSON

Advent

Follow the Star – Advent Calendar

Author Clare Williams and Charlotte Cooke
Publisher CHP £3.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781781404447

This is a lovely idea – a well-constructed Advent Calendar with a traditional fold-out nativity scene. Instead of doors to open there are 24 stickers with appropriate objects to add to the picture each day (1-24 December). The clever innovation comes from the attached story sheet which provides for each day a Bible narrative (sometimes a single verse), and a rhyme to match the sticker. Children are therefore guided each day of Advent through the biblical birth narratives, with a few Old Testament antecedents.

The concept is brilliant but, unfortunately, I found the final product slightly lacking. Although I liked the artwork, the sticker scenes are mostly small and sometimes obscure. And I regret to say the rhymes are not great. Parents may cringe a little and even small children may notice an occasional lack of rhythm. Nonetheless, with wise parental guidance and a child-friendly Bible, the nativity story should come alive in a new and exciting way through this calendar. It is a genuine antidote to the chocolate-rich commercial products that line supermarket shelves at this time of year. I sincerely hope that, despite my curmudgeonly doubts, this enterprise is a great success with both children and their parents.

Reviewed by KATE BURTON

Advent

Reflections for Daily Prayer Advent
2023-Eve of Advent 2024

Author Ally Barrett et al.
Publisher CHP £17.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781781403952

At the front of this volume of reflections is a poignant memorial notice – a tribute to Canon Anna Matthews, one of the contributors, who died tragically in March 2023, shortly after submitting her contributions.

If you have previously used this annual volume you will know its great value in providing a focus on one of the daily lectionary readings (Monday-Saturday) for Morning Prayer. It helps to give rigour and discipline to daily worship within the rhythms of Anglican liturgy. Having used these reflections now for several years, I find that most of them stay in your mind throughout the day, and the finest stay for ever to be frequently re-told or recycled within sermons and talks. Surveying the list of eminent writers who have contributed, I am confident that this year will be no exception. Malcolm Guite, Rachel Mann, Angela Tilby and Lucy Winkett are perhaps the most familiar names, but all the contributions that I scanned represented original and helpful wisdom. I turned, of course, to the late Anna Matthews’ reflections, which were all on 1 Kings or 2 Kings, noting how she had penetrated these Old Testament narratives with modern theological insight. The whole book reminded me of the richness of God’s eternal word in scripture and the wisdom that accumulates in the minds of his devoted servants. Used well, this book will magnify your lectionary year.

It is available as a book, an ‘App’ for Apple and Android devices, for kindles and ‘epub’ formats.

Reviewed by ELIZABETH STEPHENSON

Advent