Sister Wendy's Nativity and Life of Christ: A Story for the New Millennium Illuminated by Sister Wen

by Wendy Beckett

Just in time for the holidays, Sister Wendy turns her unique blend of artistic and spiritual knowledge to an all-new volume of stunning images featured in illuminated manuscripts from the Vatican and Italian State Libraries -- many of which have not been seen by the public for centuries. Includes 40+ illustrations.

Genres: Christian Non Fiction, Art, Christmas

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Sister Wendy Beckett was a South African-born British art expert, Roman Catholic nun, and contemplative hermit who became an unlikely celebrity during the 1990s, presenting a series of acclaimed art history documentaries for the BBC.

Reviews

[Michael Medlen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parochials are the biggest hypocrites the earth can muster, because they chose to instill terror and evnetual tyrany on children who simply did not want to endure pain that even Yeshua cannot say him or his family endured.

Catholic sisters pray for those they cannot reach nor help, because sadly, our God in indifferent to human suffering we simply as sufferers desrerve, for following wordly advice no one wanted nor needed.

NIggardly people smell the scents they consider foul because they chose sterileness, when a sage once wise said, "Godliness is cleanlineess.". The issue at head is how we define the word "Cleanliness", as we simply ask ourselves how we as humans should define the word as well. Clothes do not need to be washed every night, nor put in a laundry hamper after one use.

Michael simply fights a batlte even his mother was not prepared for, as people who act niggardly simply respond with: Please leave me alone, because i now am becoming sensitive to everything on Earth, realizing I ws too cowardly to embrace a style of bravery very few humans will ever muster the courage to have. WE fight for the right to just follow our own bodies and instinct, and not cave to cowards who conform to living standards no one, not even our God, can afford....

For this we pray for humanity, over indenct behavior, Yahweh....

[Joseph R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art lover and BBC present Sister Wendy Beckett was given access to many medieval manuscripts from the Vatican and Italian State Libraries. They are psalters and prayer books that have hardly been seen by the public. She curated dozens of images and arranged them as a chronology of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. Each image has a page of commentary, reflecting both on the artistic style and merits as well as on the theological message she sees the artist displaying. As with any collection of art works by various creators, some are better than others (and she does call them out sometimes, in her gentle way). The book is an interesting and quick read, though it is fun to linger on some of the images.

Highly recommended.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the book, God With Us, through the seasons of Advent and Christmas, I was really longing for a more substantive discussion of the art. Having recently read an article about the late Sister Wendy Beckett, I turned to this book and it did not disappoint. I watched Sister Wendy's show in the 1990s and was enthralled. I was no less so with this book. The art here is a series of miniatures and illuminations depicting the entire life of Jesus. Sister Wendy's attention to the details is exquisite. I so enjoyed reading this over the month and now am wanting to return to her television series. What a treasure!

[Becca Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed the book because the medieval artworks caught my eye, but I’ve ended up reading the text from cover to cover. I’d forgotten how bright and insightful Sister Wendy is. The prose is contemplative and beautifully written. I love the art and the way she reads it. Wonderful book.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful paintings to illustrate Jesus's life. A lovely book to read any time of the year, not just at Christmas time.