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Listening To The Music Of The Soul

9780281091331 - Guli Francis-Dehqani - SPCK - £10.99

When it comes to inhabiting life fully, Mary is surely one of our greatest role models. ‘My heart praises the Lord; my soul is glad because of God, my saviour,’ she sings in the Magnificat. Her response to the Angel Gabriel’s announcement that she is to bear the son of God is rich in nuance, contradiction and paradox. These very characteristics inspire Bishop Guli to make connections between the themes of Advent and her own experiences – and to invite us to do the same.

In its advocation of the weak and marginalised being brought centre stage, the Magnificat is a song that opens us to the possibility of transformation, and this theme resonates through all the chapters that follow: Flight, Violence, Angels, Fear and hope, Reconciliation, Darkness and silence, and Light and space.

Bishop Guli’s forced exile from her homeland has echoes of the flight into Egypt; the murder of her brother Bahram during the Iranian Revolution of the slaughter of the innocents.

Intriguing explorations follow of how angels continue speaking to us today; how fear of what might happen prevents us from living well in the present; how pain and loss can be transformed by the power of beauty; how daring to dwell in darkness and silence can lead to new life; and how important it is to find light and space, signified by the candles of Advent.

Deepening its resonance, each chapter has a QR code which is linked to a piece of music, and many readers will be delighted to find several that featured in Bishop Guli’s popular broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs.

At the end of each chapter are 3 reflection questions that can be used for personal reflection or could be used in a group setting.

Donkey Roads and Camel Treks

9781800393479 - Gemma Simmonds - BRF - (rrp £9.99) £7.99

The lectionary readings for Advent speak of making a straight path towards God, but many of us find our own route decidedly winding.

Biblical characters in the story of the incarnation are called to set out on the road to discipleship using any means of carriage they can.

This book offers user-friendly encouragement (with the occasional spur onwards) to explore what helps and what hinders us in this journey to deeper encounter with the flesh and blood God whom we find in scripture, in our lived experience and in the least of his sisters and brothers.

O Come Emmanuel

9781781405192 - Jane Williams + 7 other authors - Church House Publishing - £9.99

This beautifully illustrated, full-colour daily Advent companion explores the ancient biblical names and images for the coming Messiah familiar to most people from the hymn, ‘O come, O come Emmanuel’.

Well-known writers offer a total of twenty-four reflections, one for each weekday of the four weeks of Advent. The writers each offer three reflections on one of the seven antiphons: O Wisdom, O Adonai, O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Morning Star, O King of the Nations, O Emmanuel. Lastly, there are three reflections on the Magnificat – Mary’s Song – which the antiphons have been heard alongside since at least the eighth century.

Each day includes the text of the antiphon from Common Worship, a Scripture reading exploring its biblical roots, paintings of the antiphon as a focus for meditation, a reflection, a challenge to ponder and an Advent prayer.

The volume also includes an introduction explaining the rich history of the antiphons, recommendations for further resources including musical settings as well as suggestions for how to use the antiphons in local worship and study groups.

Women of the Nativity

9781781404607 - Paula Gooder - Church House Publishing - £10.99

Following on from her bestselling Women of Holy Week, Paula Gooder uses her extensive biblical expertise and storytelling skills to recreate the events of the nativity, from the promise of a future people to Sarah, to the presentation in the temple and the encounter with Anna, the prophet.

The story is told from the perspective of nine women in all including Mary, Elizabeth, Rachel, and others whom scripture records or tradition has imagined, such as the innkeeper’s wife. As we hear the familiar stories afresh through their words, the wonder of the incarnation and its consequences for good and for ill, come to vivid life in a new way.

Each story is accompanied by a painting by the priest-artist, Ally Barrett. This will be widely welcomed by all who love Paula’s writing and respect her biblical expertise as well as those looking for fresh inspiration for seasonal services from Advent to Candlemas.

Journey With Me Through Christmas

9781789745849 - Catherine Campbell - IVP - (rrp £12.99) £10.99

The Christmas story is one of journeys. Joseph and a heavily pregnant Mary wearily return to their ancestral home, while wise men eagerly follow a new sign in the night sky. Most wonderful of all, though, is the good news that God in heaven has arrived to become God With Us.

In this 25-day advent devotional, Catherine Campbell invites you to journey with her through the Christmas season.

Featuring her usual blend of biblical retelling, thought-provoking insights and godly encouragement, Journey With Me Through Christmas accompanies you through the anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ, leading you to a place of worship and hope.

Everyday Gospel

9798874907938 - Paul David Tripp - Crossway - (rrp £6.99) £4.99

Adapted from Tripp’s 365-day devotional Everyday Gospel, this condensed edition features 25 selected readings, each with study questions, making it ideal for personal study or family devotions. Count down to Christmas Day with Tripp’s heartfelt reflections and contemplate the beauty and significance of the Savior’s birth.

With Dickens at Christmas

9781915412850 - Stephen Poxon - £14.99

This beautiful book comprises 50 carefully-curated extracts from the writings of Charles Dickens, all relating to the season of Christmas. Each reading is presented for reflective reading alongside an appropriate passage from the Bible, a prayer, and a verse from a traditional Christmas carol.

The collection as a whole is the perfect Christmas gift for fans of Dickens, and an inspirational armchair companion for all non-Scrooges at 'this kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time' of year.

An Advent Calendar of God's Gifts

9781838582296 - Patrick Coghlan - Kevin Mayhew - £11.99

Transform your Advent season into a profound journey of spiritual discovery.

Beyond the Christmas gifts we exchange, God offers gifts that are perfectly timed and exactly what we need. This unique Advent devotional from Patrick Coglhan invites you to unwrap 25 divine gifts hidden within Luke's account of the Christmas story, from God's unconditional love to His eternal promises, from miraculous hope to perfect peace.

Each daily session (December 1st-25th) combines mindful meditation to centre your heart, reflective prayer responses to receive God's gifts, and intimate letters to God to express your gratitude. Whether you're established in faith or still searching, this accessible, Bible-based resource will guide you through quality time with God each day. Discover how ordinary people like Mary, the shepherds, and Simeon were chosen for extraordinary purposes and how God sees the same potential in you.

Experience Advent as never before. Let God's perfect gifts change your life, one day at a time.

Twelve Joys of Christmas

9781781405383 - Nicholas Papadopulos - Church House - £0.99

9781781405390 - Pack of 10 - £8.50 (85p per copy)

9781781405406 - Pack of 50 - £37.50 (75p per copy)

Join Nicholas Papadopulos as he shares his Twelve Joys of Christmas in this accessible booklet designed to be given away at carol services and seasonal events. From Christmas pudding to panto, Boxing Day chutney to a bracing walk – Nicholas shares his love for many of the trappings and traditions we associate with Christmas. Amongst all this earthly ‘stuff’ he discovers many pointers to the heavenly joy and mystery which lies at the heart of our celebrations: God’s Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Beginning on Christmas Day and ending on the Eve of the Epiphany, each day offers a theme, a short reading, a reflection, a prayer and a challenge to grow in joy and in faith. Based on time-honoured Christmas traditions, as well as the expectations and inevitable disappointments that come with trying to make everything perfect, Twelve Joys of Christmas offers a light yet thoughtful guide to the meaning of the Christmas story.