I do hope you have all enjoyed your summer – we have certainly had the heat! I hope also you have been able to relax and catch up on your reading, whether electronically, in print or audio. I have really enjoyed listening to ‘Phoebe’ by Paula Gooder. This fictional account follows Phoebe, a first century Church deacon, as she delivers Paul’s letter to Rome. (Phoebe is mentioned in Romans 16 v 1-2).
Now we are into September and – with apologies – because of the timings of issue of the Christmas / New Year edition, John has asked me to include some Advent / Christmas suggestions here. So here we go.
The Indescribable Gift: 25 Devotions for Advent by Andrew M. Davis
The Indescribable Gift is packed full of 24 Christmas reflections to help you prepare your heart and mind to treasure Jesus and rejoice in his incarnation. Included is a Scripture to memorise each day, so by the end of Advent, you’ll have Luke 2: v 1 – 20 and Isaiah 9: v 6-7 embedded in your heart – an extra gift for this Christmas season!
REF 4172 [10PUBLISHING] (RRP £8.99} ASLAN £6.99
The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp
Beginning with Jesse, the father of David, The Greatest Gift retraces the epic pageantry of mankind, from Adam to the Messiah, with each day’s reading pointing to the coming promise of Christ. This beautiful, deluxe Advent devotional includes: Daily reflections from Ann in her signature poetic prose - Daily Scripture readings - journaling and life application prompts - inspirational quotes – Custom illustration throughout.
REF 4186 [TYNDALE] (RRP £21.99) ASLAN £14.99
Silent Night?: How You Can Experience the True Wonder of the First Christmas by
J. Mack Stiles
We work hard each December, aiming for the perfect Christmas, but we are often so busy striving for that elusive combination of cosiness, peace and joy that we give little thought to the events that started it all. But what if the real story is far more gripping, raw and life changing than we imagine? J. Mack Stiles reveals the true story behind the myths and traditions that have built up around Christmas and shows how God stepping into our broken world can give us the peace for which we all long.
REF 4181 [10PUBLISHING] (RRP £6.99) ASLAN £4.99
The Christmas Thread: Finding Joy when Life Feels Frayed by Jonty Allcock
We all want our lives to mean something. This desire is especially pressing during the holidays: we get our hopes up, compare our hopes to others during gatherings and notice what has or hasn’t progressed from year to year. Through playful illustrations and imaginative narrative, Jonty Allcock’s short evangelistic Christmas book shows how true joy is found when the thread of our lives is woven into God’s greater story!
REF 4176[GOOD BOOK COMPANY] ASLAN£2.99
The Advent of Life: Approaching Christmas with the Church Fathers by Tim Chester
Drawing from the profound writings of the second to fifth centuries, Chester presents daily readings that illuminate the mystery and majesty of Christ’s incarnation. Each reflection features a carefully selected passage from a Church Father – such as Augustine, Athanasius, Gregory of Nazianzus, and others – paired with insightful commentary and practical prayers. These ancient voices speak with clarity and warmth, offering fresh perspectives that challenge modern assumptions and rekindle your awe for the miracle of Christmas.
REF 4178 [CHRISTIAN FOCUS] (RRP £11.99) ASLAN £7.99
All suggestions taken from the September edition of Aslan Christian Books.
Visit aslanchristianbooks.com or phone 0330 0272828 or I can order for you. It is well worth a visit to the website for these and many other items, including music, DVD’s, children’s books, Bibles and much more.
Lynn Winter
