This ebook is meant as a devotional advisor for the appearance season. during the mediums of meditations, poetry, and prayer, it deals a religious source for readers trying to discover the various dimensions of this loved season, and to deepen their appreciation of its secret and sweetness. on a daily basis the reader is supplied with both a prose meditation, dependent in Scripture, or a range of poems, composed round the conventional topics of Advent/Christmas. the final influence is that of a journey--a trip which strikes, devotionally, throughout the days and weeks of December, towards Bethlehem, the strong, and the manger. photos, incidents, impressions, and goods from the day-by-day information are woven jointly to shape a wealthy and lucrative tapestry, a pathway prime onward, an open door into the quiet locations of the soul. Christmas Eve and Day are given unique remedy, by way of a last part protecting New Year's Day and the twelve days of Christmas. The booklet additionally presents a resource of inventive imagery and language for clergy, and different worship leaders, as they face the demanding situations of talking conventional truths in a brand new and welcoming manner. one more use will be as a small workforce examine advisor for Advent.

"We could not have a greater advisor to gentle easy methods to Bethlehem than Shepherd. . . . no matter if you have got made dozens of journeys via Advent-Christmas, Barrie will allow you to stroll towards the Incarnation back as though for the 1st time."
--Will Willimon, United Methodist Bishop (retired), Professor of the perform of Christian Ministry, Duke University

"This publication is a treasure. . . . Shepherd's poems and meditations might be a useful source for preachers trying to find artistic how one can inform a liked tale we all know, and a present to we all who stay up for introduction and yuletide each year."
--John M. Buchanan, Editor/Publisher, The Christian Century

"J. Barrie Shepherd evidently realized some time past to take phrases heavily. like several poets, his economic climate within the use of them finds his recognize for his or her impressive energy. As he exhibits us right here they could ever so lightly lead us to the observe made flesh. This publication will stay as one in every of my loved pastoral courses for the once a year calling of inviting others to find the quiet miracles in Advent."
--M. Craig Barnes, President, Princeton Theological Seminary

"Whether in a sermon, poem, or prayer, Shepherd's wealthy imagery is arresting. just like the creation season itself, Shepherd's phrases wake us up, sluggish us down, and invite us to count on with pleasure the arriving of Emmanuel."
--Jill Duffield, Editor of The Presbyterian Outlook

"I am so thankful for this creation ebook. In those meditations he leads us into the beauty of ready, which we so frequently withstand, no longer figuring out the riches therein. With attractive narrative and brilliant poetry Shepherd inspires crucial creation moments for mirrored image. vacation spot Bethlehem delivers to open new views in this Christian season for somebody who opens those pages."
--Jeannie Crawford-Lee, Editor, Weavings: A magazine of the Christian non secular Life

J. Barrie Shepherd, Minister Emeritus of the 1st Presbyterian Church within the urban of recent York, has preached and lectured widely around the united states and Canada, the united kingdom, Europe, and Africa. He was once named William Belden Noble lecturer at Harvard in 1995, and Lyman Beecher lecturer at Yale in 2002. writer of fifteen books, together with the new among Mirage and Miracle, Shepherd's poetry appears to be like often in such magazines as Weavings, Christian Century, and The New Republic.