Advent
BRF's Advent titles provide daily Bible readings and reflections to explore particular themes from the beginning of Advent through to Epiphany.
{"id":2439770177636,"title":"Lighted Windows: An Advent calendar for a world in waiting","handle":"lighted-windows-an-advent-calendar-for-a-world-in-waiting","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe world waits - sometimes holding its breath in fear of what tomorrow may bring, sometimes in a haze of busyness, or boredom, in which we hardly know what we are waiting for. Yet we still wait in hopefulness. The birth of a baby invariably stirs deep wells of hope in the human heart. Perhaps in this generation, things will get better. Perhaps this child will make a difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs we approach the Christmas season we prepare to celebrate the coming to earth of someone who really does make a difference. At this season the 'windows' of our human experience can change from rows of faceless panes, perhaps grimy with dirt, into lighted windows that open up new possibilities and coax us into a place where rejoicing might be possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe journey mapped out in this book is an invitation to look into some of these lighted windows, and discover a few reflections of what we wait for, and long for - reflections of God's guidance, his call to trust him and live by his wisdom.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eEach window seeks to bring familiar scripture into focus with everyday living, encouraging us to enter right into the place where God is coming to birth, and to make the experience of Bethlehem our own. And finally, the windows become doors, through which we are sent back to a waiting world to share our personal experience of God-with-us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nMargaret Silf is an ecumenical Christian, committed to working across and beyond the denominational divides. For most of her working life she was employed in the computer industry and recently left paid employment to devote herself to writing and accompanying others on their spiritual journey. Her books include Landmarks - an Ignatian Journey, Taste and See - Adventuring into Prayer, Wayfaring - A Gospel Journey into Life (all published by DLT), and Sacred Spaces - Stations on a Celtic Way (Lion). \n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoman Alive Book Club December 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMargaret Silf, is a trusted retreat leader and popular writer of books on Christian spirituality, wrote \u003cem\u003eLighted\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eWindows\u003c\/em\u003e in 2002 but it has been reissued this year. It invites us to focus not on the darkness, but on the light that comes through '''God-with-us'- Emmanuel, God incarnate in the world of everyday reality with all its shame and its glory'' (page 12). In the weeks leading up to Christmas she reveals glimpses of God's guidance in our lives, how we can become more trusting, and how to discern God's wisdom. Then, during the Christmas week she welcomes us to enter into the 'heart of the mystery of God's coming to earth' (page 13). \u003cem\u003eLighted Windows\u003c\/em\u003e is poetic, searching, and at times profound.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmy Boucher Pye\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSarum College Bookshop: Book of the month November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps I'm just nosy, but there is something fascinating about lighted windows. Whether you speed past them on your way elsewhere, or have time to stroll past and take a slightly longer look, even the briefest glimpse can offer an insight into other worlds or other ways of being. What you see can trigger memories or awaken possibilities; can comfort or disturb - especially if all you can see is your own self reflected in the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDay by day, from the start of Advent to Epiphany, Silf's lovely book switches on the light behind all sorts of windows, offering us the freedom to do what we so often long to do but are too scared or too polite: press our noses up against the glass and look at what's inside. More than an Advent calendar, through readings, reflections, questions and prayer, Silf's insights help us understand what we are really seeing.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd she's not afraid to challenge. The very first prayer turns the traditional cosy image of lighting a candle upside down and invites God to blow out 'the little candle of my own making' where it prevents us seeing 'the bright sunlight of God's leading'. Later, we are asked to reflect on our experiences of the use or abuse of power and whether it has been used to transform or control; and to consider whether the experience of suffering just might be 'a gateway of possibility' through which we may find God's healing love.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe idea of looking through windows rather than at paintings is powerful: it reminds us that what we are seeing is not static or flat, but something living and three dimensional (at least!) which can draw us in or point us forward. It will not be the same for everyone, but then we know that 'in my Father's house are many dwelling places', all of them with lighted windows, through which we will see the things we need or are meant to see. And the great mystery of God's grace is how often windows become doors for us to walk through.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 25 years ago, I stood with my face pressed hard against a church window, watching a healing service, wanting to be a part of it but afraid to step inside, knowing that somehow to do so would change my life. I didn't then understand the difference between fear and awe: how one holds you back, while the other invites you forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eJust as the glimpses of light we encounter on our travels can stay with us long after the journey's end, I believe this is a book to turn and return to, because it will continue to comfort and inspire long after you close it on the final page.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eThe Revd Norma Fergusson, Associate Vicar, Shrivenham \u0026amp; Ashbury Benefice\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e","published_at":"2024-12-14T16:12:11+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:50+00:00","vendor":"Margaret Silf","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","KCLC","Kindle"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769325969508,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464323","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436677775460,"product_id":2439770177636,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:50+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:59+00:00","alt":null,"width":427,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464323-l.jpg?v=1549043159","variant_ids":[21769325969508]},"available":false,"name":"Lighted Windows: An Advent calendar for a world in waiting - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464323","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238877298827,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464323-l.jpg?v=1549043159"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464323-l.jpg?v=1549043159"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464323-l.jpg?v=1549043159","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238877298827,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464323-l.jpg?v=1549043159"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464323-l.jpg?v=1549043159","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThe world waits - sometimes holding its breath in fear of what tomorrow may bring, sometimes in a haze of busyness, or boredom, in which we hardly know what we are waiting for. Yet we still wait in hopefulness. The birth of a baby invariably stirs deep wells of hope in the human heart. Perhaps in this generation, things will get better. Perhaps this child will make a difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs we approach the Christmas season we prepare to celebrate the coming to earth of someone who really does make a difference. At this season the 'windows' of our human experience can change from rows of faceless panes, perhaps grimy with dirt, into lighted windows that open up new possibilities and coax us into a place where rejoicing might be possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe journey mapped out in this book is an invitation to look into some of these lighted windows, and discover a few reflections of what we wait for, and long for - reflections of God's guidance, his call to trust him and live by his wisdom.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eEach window seeks to bring familiar scripture into focus with everyday living, encouraging us to enter right into the place where God is coming to birth, and to make the experience of Bethlehem our own. And finally, the windows become doors, through which we are sent back to a waiting world to share our personal experience of God-with-us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nMargaret Silf is an ecumenical Christian, committed to working across and beyond the denominational divides. For most of her working life she was employed in the computer industry and recently left paid employment to devote herself to writing and accompanying others on their spiritual journey. Her books include Landmarks - an Ignatian Journey, Taste and See - Adventuring into Prayer, Wayfaring - A Gospel Journey into Life (all published by DLT), and Sacred Spaces - Stations on a Celtic Way (Lion). \n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoman Alive Book Club December 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMargaret Silf, is a trusted retreat leader and popular writer of books on Christian spirituality, wrote \u003cem\u003eLighted\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eWindows\u003c\/em\u003e in 2002 but it has been reissued this year. It invites us to focus not on the darkness, but on the light that comes through '''God-with-us'- Emmanuel, God incarnate in the world of everyday reality with all its shame and its glory'' (page 12). In the weeks leading up to Christmas she reveals glimpses of God's guidance in our lives, how we can become more trusting, and how to discern God's wisdom. Then, during the Christmas week she welcomes us to enter into the 'heart of the mystery of God's coming to earth' (page 13). \u003cem\u003eLighted Windows\u003c\/em\u003e is poetic, searching, and at times profound.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmy Boucher Pye\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSarum College Bookshop: Book of the month November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps I'm just nosy, but there is something fascinating about lighted windows. Whether you speed past them on your way elsewhere, or have time to stroll past and take a slightly longer look, even the briefest glimpse can offer an insight into other worlds or other ways of being. What you see can trigger memories or awaken possibilities; can comfort or disturb - especially if all you can see is your own self reflected in the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDay by day, from the start of Advent to Epiphany, Silf's lovely book switches on the light behind all sorts of windows, offering us the freedom to do what we so often long to do but are too scared or too polite: press our noses up against the glass and look at what's inside. More than an Advent calendar, through readings, reflections, questions and prayer, Silf's insights help us understand what we are really seeing.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd she's not afraid to challenge. The very first prayer turns the traditional cosy image of lighting a candle upside down and invites God to blow out 'the little candle of my own making' where it prevents us seeing 'the bright sunlight of God's leading'. Later, we are asked to reflect on our experiences of the use or abuse of power and whether it has been used to transform or control; and to consider whether the experience of suffering just might be 'a gateway of possibility' through which we may find God's healing love.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe idea of looking through windows rather than at paintings is powerful: it reminds us that what we are seeing is not static or flat, but something living and three dimensional (at least!) which can draw us in or point us forward. It will not be the same for everyone, but then we know that 'in my Father's house are many dwelling places', all of them with lighted windows, through which we will see the things we need or are meant to see. And the great mystery of God's grace is how often windows become doors for us to walk through.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 25 years ago, I stood with my face pressed hard against a church window, watching a healing service, wanting to be a part of it but afraid to step inside, knowing that somehow to do so would change my life. I didn't then understand the difference between fear and awe: how one holds you back, while the other invites you forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eJust as the glimpses of light we encounter on our travels can stay with us long after the journey's end, I believe this is a book to turn and return to, because it will continue to comfort and inspire long after you close it on the final page.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eThe Revd Norma Fergusson, Associate Vicar, Shrivenham \u0026amp; Ashbury Benefice\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e"}
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{"id":2439763951716,"title":"Comings and Goings: Retracing the Christmas story through place and time","handle":"comings-and-goings-retracing-the-christmas-story-through-place-and-time","description":"\u003cp\u003eLife involves many 'comings and goings', as we make our way along the path of faith day by day, guided by God's Holy Spirit. This book of readings for Advent and Christmas invites us to make a journey through time, from the end to the very beginning of all things. The daily reflections work backwards from the traditional Advent focus of the 'Four Last Things' - Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell - via Jesus' life, death and resurrection, to come at last to the Incarnation and the events commemorated at Christmas itself. In the following days, the focus turns to Christ as the Word of God, present at the dawn of creation. Along the way, we 'visit' some of the actual Holy Land sites associated with gospel events, drawing new insights from the familiar stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revd Dr Gordon Giles is Vicar of St Mary Magdalene's Church in Enfield, North London, and director of Post-Ordination Training in the Edmonton Episcopal Area of the Diocese of London Diocese. He has written several books including The Music of Praise, The Harmony of Heaven, O Come, Emmanuel, O Clap your Hands and Fasting and Feasting. He has also led many pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Turkey, China and Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/GordonGiles1_480x480.jpg?v=1676494801\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"142\" height=\"252\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/GordonGiles1_480x480.jpg?v=1676494801\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\nGordon Giles is Canon Chancellor of Rochester Cathedral. He is the author of several books, including \u003cem\u003eComings and Goings\u003c\/em\u003e (2015) and \u003cem\u003eAt Home in Lent\u003c\/em\u003e (2018).\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom goodbookreviews.org.uk November 2015\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis really is what I would call an advent book as it most fully reflects the purpose of Advent, that journey to Christmas where we most fully reflect on the incarnation in its fullness, the journey through not just the story of Christmas but of the Bible as a whole and the life of Christ made man and witness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach day's reflection begins with a very short passage from the New Testament and then moves on to a contemplation that both reflects on the passage at hand, the wider story of Christmas, and also the world in which we live and how this too is a wider reflection of the bigger story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the whole this is a brilliant book to journey to Christmas with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanie Carroll.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e","published_at":"2024-12-13T17:47:51+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:28+00:00","vendor":"Gordon Giles","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","KCLC","Kindle","Torch Trust"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769229303908,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857463760","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436639240292,"product_id":2439763951716,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:28+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:46:04+00:00","alt":null,"width":426,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857463760-l.jpg?v=1549043164","variant_ids":[21769229303908]},"available":false,"name":"Comings and Goings: Retracing the Christmas story through place and time - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":131,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857463760","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238876872843,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857463760-l.jpg?v=1549043164"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857463760-l.jpg?v=1549043164"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857463760-l.jpg?v=1549043164","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238876872843,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857463760-l.jpg?v=1549043164"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857463760-l.jpg?v=1549043164","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eLife involves many 'comings and goings', as we make our way along the path of faith day by day, guided by God's Holy Spirit. This book of readings for Advent and Christmas invites us to make a journey through time, from the end to the very beginning of all things. The daily reflections work backwards from the traditional Advent focus of the 'Four Last Things' - Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell - via Jesus' life, death and resurrection, to come at last to the Incarnation and the events commemorated at Christmas itself. In the following days, the focus turns to Christ as the Word of God, present at the dawn of creation. Along the way, we 'visit' some of the actual Holy Land sites associated with gospel events, drawing new insights from the familiar stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revd Dr Gordon Giles is Vicar of St Mary Magdalene's Church in Enfield, North London, and director of Post-Ordination Training in the Edmonton Episcopal Area of the Diocese of London Diocese. He has written several books including The Music of Praise, The Harmony of Heaven, O Come, Emmanuel, O Clap your Hands and Fasting and Feasting. He has also led many pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Turkey, China and Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/GordonGiles1_480x480.jpg?v=1676494801\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"142\" height=\"252\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/GordonGiles1_480x480.jpg?v=1676494801\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\nGordon Giles is Canon Chancellor of Rochester Cathedral. He is the author of several books, including \u003cem\u003eComings and Goings\u003c\/em\u003e (2015) and \u003cem\u003eAt Home in Lent\u003c\/em\u003e (2018).\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom goodbookreviews.org.uk November 2015\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis really is what I would call an advent book as it most fully reflects the purpose of Advent, that journey to Christmas where we most fully reflect on the incarnation in its fullness, the journey through not just the story of Christmas but of the Bible as a whole and the life of Christ made man and witness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach day's reflection begins with a very short passage from the New Testament and then moves on to a contemplation that both reflects on the passage at hand, the wider story of Christmas, and also the world in which we live and how this too is a wider reflection of the bigger story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the whole this is a brilliant book to journey to Christmas with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanie Carroll.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e"}
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