An Advent Manifesto by Martin Percy

'If you like a ‘day-by-day’ Advent book, and are open to something a bit different, this one is worth a try'

An Advent Manifesto
By Martin Percy
BRF
ISBN 9781800390942
Reviewed by John Matthews
 

This is an interesting volume with some differences from other Advent books. One is that Percy uses the Revised New Jerusalem Bible. He explains why at the end.

Another is that, rather than ranging over a wide variety of scriptures, which he calls the ‘snacking approach’, Percy limits himself to the first two chapters of Luke’s gospel on weekdays and passages from Isaiah at weekends. On some days just a verse or two is offered for reflection.

A third difference is that Percy’s approach is not to exegete the text but to approach it from the point of view of ‘lectio divina’ or sacred reading. He explains the four steps of this, along with much else, in the 20 pages which precede the daily comments.
 
Far from expounding the short passage for the day, many of Percy’s comments, although often insightful and worthwhile, make no reference at all to the text or its subject matter. This allows him to range more widely, including some interesting comments on Aramaic concerning the beatitudes and some new beatitudes from the poet, Scott Cairns, and Pope Francis.
 
Each day’s reflection is followed by a prayer, and a question and comment for contemplation. The inside covers include colour illustrations of two nativity paintings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, which Percy discusses. These are good to have, though rather small.
 
Some of the author’s phrases are striking, like ‘grace is expansive as well as expensive’ (124) and ‘John the Baptist did not prepare the way for something that would be conformist, comfortable or convenient’ (192).

Others are more questionable. Is God really like a prowling lion, ready to pounce? (51) And did the angels really sing to the shepherds ‘because no one else was listening’? (177).
 
The book takes us beyond Advent and Christmas into Epiphany and also includes a week beginning with Candlemas. So there is more material here than in most Advent books.
 
If you like a ‘day-by-day’ Advent book, and are open to something a bit different, this one is worth a try.

 
John Matthews is a retired Baptist minister living in Rushden, Northants.