What Are You Reading This Lent? Christian Bookseller David Wavre Gives Us His Top Five Titles
Lent; 'the season of penance and prayer before Easter' according to ask.com, begins on 22nd February this year.. And many of us will be heading for a good book to take us through this season. David Wavre of agreatread.co.uk gives us his top five recommendations including the imaginative Finding A Voice which is based on The King's Speech.
Find out what thought-provoking texts are available and tell us what does Lent mean to you?
(PICTURES: COVERS; FINDING A VOICE, LOVE UNKNOWN , LENT FOR EVERYONE, THE NAIL, ON RETREAT)
David says: "The New Testament describes Christians as inheritors of God's Kingdom, yet the selves we see in the mirror are flawed and failing, all too often tongue-tied and terrified.
"The film The King's Speech holds that mirror to our world and offers hope of overcoming the difficulties. It shows hope built out of friendship, trust and supportive love, and courage in the face of gathering evil.
This course provides five group sessions using the film as a starting point along with personal weekly reading exploring more fully the issues raised, and Bible readings to root it in Christian values. I would really recommend it for people wanting a defined Lent course this year."
Love Unknown is the Archbishop of Canterbury's choice for 2012 "and my next choice. Written by a Carmelite nun, Ruth Burrows it gives a compelling presentation of what it means to be a Christian." says David.
"Ruth belie
ves that many people, even regular churchgoers, miss the true meaning and joy of Christianity and that God longs for us to know him as our Saviour, so that he can bring us to share in his own Trinitarian life and love.
"She traces how God reveals himself to us through our personal lives, particularly our experiences of weakness and failure; through history and the natural world; through the scriptures; and above all, through Jesus"
"The centrepoint for the internet's The Big Bible project's Big Read 12, where Christians and their homegroups are invited to join others nationally, and access a weekly reflection on the week's study subject and reflection by a well-known Christian thinker, writer, or leader is also number three for me; Tom Wright's Lent For Everyone (Mark Year B)." says David.
"Tom Wright's third in a series produced to match the Revised Common Lectionary, provides accessible to understand, sound theology."
The Nail is David's fourth choice. "It gives imaginative reflections on Christ's crucifixion. Each of the seven chapters is focused on a different key character, who describes his or her experience of the Passion.
"The nails used to crucify Christ are used as a jumping off point for their reflections. Each character considers the questions, 'who killed Christ' and 'who was responsible?"
"Each chapter includes a Biblical passage, a meditative hymn, a reflection from the point of view of the character, and a short prayer. The book finishes with practical suggestions on how the book can be used as a Lent study course. It is ideal for individual reflection or group study, and can also readily be adapted for use as a Good Friday liturgy." he says.
And for his final choice? On Retreat. "Retreats are increasingly popular bu
t they can be daunting if you haven't done one before. This book gives a sort of 'taster' experience to first-timers.
"But its also good for experienced retreat goers - it offers a journey of personal prayer for the whole of Lent and intermixes formal prayer with daily to day living and there are creative suggestions of poetry, meditation, contemplation, journaling and intercession."