Seeing Haloes: Christmas Poems to Open the Heart

by John Shea, Mark McMahon (Illustrations)

Christmas is unavoidable. But if it is going to happen for us, we need to take time. We need to slow down and do something out of the ordinary, something that has to do with the spiritual meaning of the feast and the season. Reading the Christmas poems of  Seeing Haloes  is one way of doing this. John Shea hopes that each poem strikes a chord and brings us into memories we may have forgotten and present experiences we may have overlooked. When this happens, the Spirit arrives to illumine our minds, inspire our wills, and gladden our hearts. Christmas happens.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Hardcover

Published July 31, 2017

About the author

John (Jack) Shea is a theologian and storyteller who lectures nationally and internationally on storytelling in world religions, faith-based health care, contemporary spirituality, and the spirit at work movement. Formerly, he was a professor of systematic theology and the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, a research professor at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University of Chicago, and the Advocate Healthcare Senior Scholar in Residence at the Park Ridge Center for the Study of Health, Faith and Ethics. He has also taught at the University of Notre Dame and Boston College. He has published thirteen books of theology and spirituality and two books of poetry.

Reviews

[Paul M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a Christmas gift from my sister. One of the nuns she works with gave it to her and she was emotionally strengthened by its contents leading into the holiday season. I’m not a big reader of poems and thus I enjoyed it a bit less. However, I went through another Christmas and much more often than not was focused on the commercial aspects of the holiday and not the true meaning of the season. I did appreciate it pulling me back a bit spiritually.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of Christmas poems. I've read the book twice already. I may read it again before returning it to my friend.

Take your time to savor the words.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Perceptive reflections on the nativity narratives and a consciousness of the Word with us in our present celebrations.