Celtic Treasure

by John Philip Newell, J. Philip Newell

Challenged by his children's growing disinterest in prayer and spirituality, Philip Newell set out to find a cringe-free guide to family devotions. Unable to find anything not written for an ideal Christian family with totally compliant offspring, he decided to create his own devotions. The book that resulted will enable families to draw regularly from the great riches of Scripture. It will also work easily for individual prayer or worship in small groups.

"Celtic Treasure" is structured in seven books covering the whole arc of Scripture — from the stories of creation and Israel through the life of Jesus and the New Testament letters — and these seven books each contain seven daily readings. Each day begins with the simple lighting of a candle and retells a passage of Scripture in a manner appropriate for the whole family. With original prayers inspired by the Celtic tradition, it then moves into prayer for the surrounding world and concludes with words of blessing that accompany the putting out of the candle.

Following the style of Newell's "Celtic Benediction" and "Sounds of the Eternal," this new volume is beautifully illuminated with designs from the ancient "Book of Kells" and with Celtic border and knot work by an Edinburgh children's art group. Newell's "Celtic Treasure" offers families, small groups, and individuals both starting points for reflection and deeper nourishment for the Christian life.

Genres: Prayer, Spirituality, Christian, Nonfiction

96 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 2005

About the author

JOHN PHILIP NEWELL is an internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher and popular speaker and the widely read author of several books, including Listening for the Heartbeat of God and A New Harmony. The former Warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland, he is the founder of The School of Earth and Soul (A Celtic Initiative of Study, Spiritual Practice and Compassionate Action) and teaches regularly in California, New England, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, and Canada as well as leading international pilgrimages to Iona.

Reviews

[Pat Loughery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written by Newell. The unique part of this prayer book: It was written intentionally to be used by a family with children, so the language is more approachable than many other prayer books, and other Celtic prayer books.

That said... it doesn't quite sparkle for me (much like most of Newell's stuff, it's good, but doesn't grab me by the shoulders and demand my attention as does, say, John O'Donohue).

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not finished as this is a daily scripture and prayer book.
However, It is one of the most satisfying and spiritual daily
message I have read. Just wanted to share that with all of
you.

[Ruth Showalter]

Just what I need! Got it from a free book table at Laurelville music leaders retreat.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illuminations are beautiful, and the prayers are pure and faithful. Each week has a different theme, although the opening and closing salutations are always the same. The middle contains a paraphrased Bible passage, and opportunity for reflection, and a prayer in response to the Bible passage.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are now reading these prayers as our dinner graces. The prayers are based on the 7 days of creation, and quite beautiful. It is like a Celtic Christian shabbat service, if that doesn't sound too obnoxious.

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is our women's bible study's current book and we're really enjoying it. Has beautifully worded prayers and scripture.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

This makes for great daily devotional.

[Katie Vanbeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to have handy. Beautiful collection of prayers and blessings.

[Beth Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure among my Celtic books!!!