Praise for "The Season of the Nativity"

Now Featured at the Patheos Book Club
The Season of the Nativity
Confessions and Practices of an Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Extremist

By Sybil MacBeth

What People Are Saying

"This gorgeous book is going to remain at my reading chair, dog-eared and bookmarked, all through the Yuletide season. It will also be under the tree of just about everyone on my gift list. We will all have more interesting winters, and greater intimacy with Jesus, because of it."
— Lauren F. Winner, author of Still and Mudhouse Sabbath

"This beautifully designed book caters to those of us for whom waiting for Christmas is the very best part about the holidays. With activities like Advent calendars, games, doodles, carols, and my personal favorite—"flaunting the color purple"—Sybil MacBeth helps us see the Nativity as an entire season stretching from Advent through Epiphany, each day an opportunity for Technicolor grace."
— Jana Riess, author of Flunking Sainthood and Flunking Sainthood Every Day

If you think you're already familiar with Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, think again! After reading this book, you'll never see those seasons in the same way. With humor, spiritual wisdom, and innovative activity suggestions, the author makes you open your eyes in wonder."
— Linda Douty, spiritual director and author of 5 books, including Rhythms of Growth: 365 Meditations to Nurture the Soul

"With heart-open honesty, Sybil MacBeth opens the door to a new exploration of the three-part Nativity Season. With personal and family-friendly practices and her appealing approach, Sybil invites both seasoned Christians and curious seekers to prepare in Advent, nestle into Christmas, and wonder anew in Epiphany. Extremist? Not really, but perhaps the leader of a new awakening.
— Connie Denninger, retreat leader, teacher of prayer and spiritual disciplines, and advocate of the Arts in Christian Practice

"Sybil MacBeth's genius is for getting the grand themes—like prayer and yearning and waiting and birth and joy—into real life. She starts with scripture and tradition and solid theology and ends up right on the kitchen table or living room (where children and adults alike are actually enjoying one another). As an on-the-ground parish priest, I want this book in every home of every parishioner. That's because I know they want what I want—not to dread the approach of Christmas and feel inadequate in its wake—but to truly experience God's great activity before, during and after in a way that's full of pleasure and meaning. This book lines out the very concrete path from the wish to the reality."
— Rev Carleton Bakkum, Episcopal Priest and Rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown, VA

"The Season of the Nativity by Sybil MacBeth is an invitation into spiritual growth through frameworks and forms—by sharing with the reader some familiar and many new ways to prepare for and celebrate Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. Her book is an incarnational feast of ideas—both thoughtful and fun, challenging at times and delightful as well. You will want your own copy as well as several to share with your friends.
— The Reverend Canon Meredith Hunt, Episcopal Priest, Diocese of Western Michigan


10/8/2014 4:00:00 AM
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