by John Piper

First published in 1998, now reprinted with new cover and new art.
This is fiction but deserves careful consideration and thought.
In John Piper’s imagination Jesus has returned to the place of his birth, to meet the innkeeper who gave shelter to Mary and Joseph and to hear from the innkeepers lips what happened after the holy family escaped to Egypt.
Written as a poem, with sympathetic art work the story holds your attention from the first. How many of us give a thought to the innkeeper and his family after the first heady days of Christmas. Couldn’t it very easily have played out just as John Piper has imagined it? A sobering thought, but one well worth pondering on.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (02/12/11)

Hardback
Price: £9.99
Publisher: Crossway Books from IVP
Published: 16 September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-433-53025-8

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Preparing the Way

- Cover to Cover - 31 Days for Advent

by Derek Tidball

Preparing the Way is another book in CWR's Cover to Cover series of study guides. Covering the whole of December Preparing the Way looks at the prophecies that pointed to Jesus coming as a baby, and also the many people who were players in the Christmas story. Even reading the book in October I found Tidball's comments and explanations thought provoking, and having passed the book around church the number of people who are ordering Preparing the Way for their own advent meditations tells the story for how good this book is. My only problem is that, while the book covers the whole of December with meditations up to New Years Eve it does not cover either the whole of Advent (starting on November 27th this year) or the whole of the Christmas season. Even so this is a great book for those wanting something to prepare the way in their hearts and minds this Christmas.

Review by Phelim McIntyre (27/10/11)

Stapled booklet
Price: £6.99
Publisher: CWR (Crusade for World Revival)
Published: August 2011
ISBN: 978-1-853-45613-8

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The Incredible Journey: Christmas from Genesis to Jesus

- BRF Advent Book 2011

by Steve Brady

I am a fan of BRF Advent books and warmed to the theme of this one as soon as I started to read.
December 1st to January 6th split into seven day periods, makes five sections plus two days. These are designated as Starting out: Crashing badly: Detouring often: Arriving on time: Journeying on and Homeward bound. Does that sound a familiar pattern in your life? It does in mine!
Steve Brady has used passages from Genesis to start with, followed by mostly Old Testament readings with a few appropriate New Testament readings interspersed. There is a satisfyingly long passage from scripture at the start of each day, followed by Steve’s related thoughts and a final reflection. These reflections are sometimes prayers but more often points to ponder and use in our own prayers.
Excellent and highly recommended

Review by Mary Bartholomew (10/10/11)

Paperback
Price: £7.99
Publisher: BRF (Bible Reading Fellowship)
Published: September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-857-46003-5

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What’s the Point of Christmas?

by J.John

Oft re-printed since its first publication in 1988 this little booklet, reaches out each year to yet more people who do not understand what Christmas is all about, or maybe have very wrong ideas. J.John explains the origin of some of our customs, for instance the Christmas tree, and then tells about the birth of Jesus, who he is, and what his coming to earth means for us all - without exception.
As the publisher points out this booklet also includes Christmas carols and colour photographs and illustrations, still at the price of £1.99 - an ideal stocking filler.

50 copy outreach packs are available for churches at a special discount price.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (30/09/11)

Booklet
Price: £1.99
Publisher: Lion
Published: 23 September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-745-95560-5

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Daily Thoughts for the Advent Journey

- Radio Reflections

by Niall Ahern

A broadcast 'Thought for the Day' slot is a coveted, but daunting, task. Father Ahern has learned the technique very well. The best way to appreciate these Advent meditations, originally delivered on local radio, is to read them out loud.
He acknowledges that his reflections are based on Tom Cox's Scripture Thoughts from Intercom. Each one begins, 'Advent is about.....' (e.g.) 'a journey', 'putting Herod back into Christmas', 'preparation' and 'giving right of way to God'. These starting points are sometimes obvious, sometimes not so. Each ends with a personal question, or an encouragement to do something - and 'Amen', which indicates we are at prayer, not just mentally pondering; it is a reminder to let the 'Thought' affect our lives, and those of others.
There is a 'Foreword', 'Introduction' and 'Advent Prayer', which could be part of the daily meditation. 'Thoughts' for the days of Advent follow, concluding with 'The Blessing of the Manger on Christmas Eve', 'Christmas Day' and 'New Year's Day'.
It is suitable for the committed Christian, as a non-threatening early Christmas present for someone who has wandered away from God and for younger people.
These 'Thoughts' make excellent companions for the always over-full Advent Season. This reviewer wonders whether Father Ahern has composed 'Thoughts' for other seasonal journeys. Hopefully, he has - or will.

Review by J.Nicholas Latham (16/06/11)

Paperback
Price: £4.99
Publisher: Columba Press
Published: October 2010
ISBN: 978-1-856-07719-4

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Ready Steady....Slow

- An Advent Calendar to Unwind With

Contributors include Nick Baines, Dave Bookless, Stephen Cottrell, Paula Gooder etc.

Another of Church House Publishing little books for Advent. This year’s booklet, as the Archbishop of Canterbury says, is an invitation to ‘slow down... and take time to look inwards at our hopes and fears: to look outwards at a world in need of hope; and to look God-ward, confident in His love and commitment to the world.
To help us to do this, there are simple suggestions for each day to make us think more deeply about a specific issue by reading, reflecting and praying.
A pocket sized book that will be as easy to follow as it is to carry in a pocket or bag. Well done CHP!

Review by Mary Bartholomew (01/11/10)

Booklet
Price: £4.99
Publisher: Church House Publishing (CHP) part of Hymns Ancient & Modern
Published: October 2010
ISBN: 978-0-715-14221-9

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Journeying Towards Jesus in Advent by Denis McBride
ISBN: 978-0-852-31382-4 Price: £10.95	Published: Spring 2010
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The Advent of Peace - A Gospel Journey to Christmas by Mary C. Grey
ISBN: 978-0-281-06232-4 Price: £9.99	Published: 19 August 2010
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Praying Advent - Three Minute Reflections on Peace, Faithfulness Joy and Light by Joan Mueller
ISBN: 978-1-565-48358-3 Price: £5.95	Published: Spring 2010
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When He Comes - Cover to Cover: 31 days for Advent by Graham and Molly Dow
ISBN: 978-1-853-45566-7 Price: £7.50	Published: August 2010
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Pilgrims to the Manger - Exploring the Wonder of God With Us by Naomi Starkey
ISBN: 978-1-841-01709-9 Price: £7.99	Published: September 2010
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Words for Advent - Bible readings on the Theme of Our Time Edited by Nicola Slee
ISBN: 978-1-905-89343-0 Price: £3.99	Published: 01 September 2010
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Shock and Awe - Tasting God’s Outrageous Grace – BRF Advent Book by Ian Coffey
ISBN: 978-1-841-01641-2 Price: £6.99	Published: 2009
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Pocket Prayers for Advent & Christmas Compiled by Jan McFarlane
ISBN: 978-0-715-14196-0 Price: £5.99	Published: Autumn 2009
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Joyful Christianity - Finding Jesus in the World by Cally Hammond
ISBN: 978-0-281-06087-0 Price: £8.99	Published: 2009
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Advent, Christmas and Epiphany - Stories and Reflections on the Daily Readings by Megan McKenna
ISBN: 978-1-565-48301-9 Price: £14.95	Published: Autumn 2009
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Advent, Christmas and Epiphany - Stories and Reflections on the Sunday Readings by Megan McKenna
ISBN: 978-1-565-48300-2 Price: £14.95	Published: Autumn 2009
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The Light of the World: 31 Days For Advent - Cover to Cover by Beryl Adamsbaum
ISBN: 978-1-853-45525-4 Price: £6.99	Published: August 2009
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Christmas Unwrapped by Philo Trust - The Ministry of J.John
ISBN: 501-4-182-05529-6 Price: £9.99 (incl VAT)	Published: 2009
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