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BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Christmas Voices.
160 pages, Paperback
Published September 22, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 1, 2023
“Christmas Voices” is a beautiful collection of music, poetry, prayers, and reflections, and was clearly designed to deepen our worship and to enhance our appreciation of this special season.
This advent devotional is organised into five sections, where the lyrics of a song, poem, or prayer, followed by thoughts shared by various contributors, precede each day’s reflection penned by Claire Musters. they add depth to Claire’s words and give a rich flavour of worship to the book.
First, we are reminded of the pledge of the coming Messiah. Claire tells of the promise given to Abraham which birthed the Jewish nation, God’s reassurances to Mary and Joseph when they received their heavenly assignment, and the living hope we now have in Jesus.
Next, she turns to the theme of preparation. Amid our busy schedules, we need to prepare our hearts and our minds for Christ’s coming, making room for him amid our endless to do lists. We learn about delighting in God, waiting with patience even when hope seems impossible, preparing the way for his coming, having a focused heart, and we are given permission to be honest when the festivities and rejoicing are too much for our sorrowing hearts.
In the third section, Claire’s focus is joy, but even here, she writes with care and sensitivity. We rejoice at the infilling of the Holy Spirit, but there is also joy to be found during suffering. God will fulfil his promises, and his joy is eternal. Finally, our rejoicing can only result in gratitude and praise.
The penultimate five-day section is all about the peace and rest that we find in Jesus. His is a peace beyond our understanding, and he calls his children to be peacemakers.
Finally, as Christmas draws closer, Claire zooms in on the gift of love, because it was love for a fallen world that led Jesus to come. Jesus’ love is faithful and eternal, and he taught us to share it with one another. Love is the greatest gift, and Jesus’s followers can never be separated from his love.
I have read many advent devotionals, but this is one of the best. The Scriptures upon which the author reflects are not just the usual, run-of-the-mill pre-Christmas passages. She digs deeper from both the Old Testament and the new, including stories we rarely hear in December.
My favourite reflection told the story of Hannah and her longing for a child. Claire gave a voice to those who struggle with infertility or childlessness during a season that centres on a much-anticipated baby. This touched my heart deeply, adding value to this wonderful book.
I highly recommend Christmas Voices. If you need a fresh perspective, or something that goes deeper than the surface material, then this is the book for you.
This advent devotional is organised into five sections, where the lyrics of a song, poem, or prayer, followed by thoughts shared by various contributors, precede each day’s reflection penned by Claire Musters. they add depth to Claire’s words and give a rich flavour of worship to the book.
First, we are reminded of the pledge of the coming Messiah. Claire tells of the promise given to Abraham which birthed the Jewish nation, God’s reassurances to Mary and Joseph when they received their heavenly assignment, and the living hope we now have in Jesus.
Next, she turns to the theme of preparation. Amid our busy schedules, we need to prepare our hearts and our minds for Christ’s coming, making room for him amid our endless to do lists. We learn about delighting in God, waiting with patience even when hope seems impossible, preparing the way for his coming, having a focused heart, and we are given permission to be honest when the festivities and rejoicing are too much for our sorrowing hearts.
In the third section, Claire’s focus is joy, but even here, she writes with care and sensitivity. We rejoice at the infilling of the Holy Spirit, but there is also joy to be found during suffering. God will fulfil his promises, and his joy is eternal. Finally, our rejoicing can only result in gratitude and praise.
The penultimate five-day section is all about the peace and rest that we find in Jesus. His is a peace beyond our understanding, and he calls his children to be peacemakers.
Finally, as Christmas draws closer, Claire zooms in on the gift of love, because it was love for a fallen world that led Jesus to come. Jesus’ love is faithful and eternal, and he taught us to share it with one another. Love is the greatest gift, and Jesus’s followers can never be separated from his love.
I have read many advent devotionals, but this is one of the best. The Scriptures upon which the author reflects are not just the usual, run-of-the-mill pre-Christmas passages. She digs deeper from both the Old Testament and the new, including stories we rarely hear in December.
My favourite reflection told the story of Hannah and her longing for a child. Claire gave a voice to those who struggle with infertility or childlessness during a season that centres on a much-anticipated baby. This touched my heart deeply, adding value to this wonderful book.
I highly recommend Christmas Voices. If you need a fresh perspective, or something that goes deeper than the surface material, then this is the book for you.
November 30, 2023
The twenty-five devotions are separated into five weekly themes on The Promise, The Preparation, Joy, Peace and Love.
The daily reflections written by Claire are thought provoking, encouraging and challenging. Each day there is also a passage of Scripture to read, and Claire finishes each devotion with a prayer.
What makes this devotional unique, in my eyes, are the voices of many others shared within the pages of this book. We hear which carol, or poem, or prayer is special to them and why it has a special place in their hearts. We hear from people such as Mags Duggan, Carl Beech and Pam Rhodes.
I love to sing carols at Christmas time (often starting very early in November!), but I don’t always concentrate on the words of the carol. Having the words of various carols within this book meant that I slowed down to really read the words. There are some wonderful truths within these carols that I had never noticed before. It has encouraged me to explore more of the carols we sing and really take note of the words I am singing and the truth that is proclaimed in verse.
This is a book which can be read daily throughout December and which can help us to focus on the one Christmas is all about and all that his birth means for us today. Or you may like to take time each day just to dip in and out of this book.
This book, again in my opinion, is a great size and has a lovely cover, which makes it so inviting. Just looking at it makes you want to open it. You could also leave it on a coffee table in your living room so that it is accessible to any visitors you have over this season, who might like to take a look within its pages.
The daily reflections written by Claire are thought provoking, encouraging and challenging. Each day there is also a passage of Scripture to read, and Claire finishes each devotion with a prayer.
What makes this devotional unique, in my eyes, are the voices of many others shared within the pages of this book. We hear which carol, or poem, or prayer is special to them and why it has a special place in their hearts. We hear from people such as Mags Duggan, Carl Beech and Pam Rhodes.
I love to sing carols at Christmas time (often starting very early in November!), but I don’t always concentrate on the words of the carol. Having the words of various carols within this book meant that I slowed down to really read the words. There are some wonderful truths within these carols that I had never noticed before. It has encouraged me to explore more of the carols we sing and really take note of the words I am singing and the truth that is proclaimed in verse.
This is a book which can be read daily throughout December and which can help us to focus on the one Christmas is all about and all that his birth means for us today. Or you may like to take time each day just to dip in and out of this book.
This book, again in my opinion, is a great size and has a lovely cover, which makes it so inviting. Just looking at it makes you want to open it. You could also leave it on a coffee table in your living room so that it is accessible to any visitors you have over this season, who might like to take a look within its pages.
November 8, 2023
"Christmas Voices" is a 25-day countdown to Christmas. The book is split into five sections: The Promise, the Preparation, Joy, Peace, and Love (shame they don't all start with the same letter). Each day includes a Bible-reading, a reflection by Claire Musters and a prayer, with several others contributing carols or poems of special significance to them (and not all familiar carols either). Although published in 2023, the music choices make this book seem old-fashioned. If you're a traditionalist, you'll probably appreciate that, but I would have preferred more variety. There are some lovely modern Christmas songs.
I did like Claire's choice of Bible-passages (you wouldn't expect the story of David and Abigail during Advent), but the reflections felt condescending at times, pushing us to fast or to watch what we consume online.
Sadly "Christmas Voices" isn't on Kindle, but it is available in Braille and other formats from Torch Trust.
I did like Claire's choice of Bible-passages (you wouldn't expect the story of David and Abigail during Advent), but the reflections felt condescending at times, pushing us to fast or to watch what we consume online.
Sadly "Christmas Voices" isn't on Kindle, but it is available in Braille and other formats from Torch Trust.
March 2, 2024
A beautifully written and inspiring devotional for Advent, featuring reflections, prayers, carols and poems set around the themes of promise, preparation, joy, peace and love. I appreciated the different voices from a group of diverse contributors representing Christ in all walks of life but I also enjoyed the consistency of Claire's own voice through refreshing and gently challenging thoughts each day.
The book is clearly set out and the readings are just the right length for the busy Christmas season, long enough to provide meat but short enough to remember, and tuck under your belt for the day ahead. Carefully placed colour illustrations bring the season to life and the gorgeous cover with its rich, warm tones will grace any coffee table.
The perfected addition to any Advent collection, this wise and lovely book comes very highly recommended.
The book is clearly set out and the readings are just the right length for the busy Christmas season, long enough to provide meat but short enough to remember, and tuck under your belt for the day ahead. Carefully placed colour illustrations bring the season to life and the gorgeous cover with its rich, warm tones will grace any coffee table.
The perfected addition to any Advent collection, this wise and lovely book comes very highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews