Preparing hearts and minds for Christmas

Major Philippa Smale reviews O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, a collection of devotional readings for Advent.

'We are bombarded with messages about Christmas that have little to do with the birth of a baby thousands of years ago.’

I think we can all identify with that statement, made by Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant (THQ) in his contribution to this Shield Books publication.

We find cards, wrapping paper and other seasonal trappings in the shops earlier and earlier each year. But as we approach the season of Advent – a time when, as Christians, we are invited to prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas – it is lovely and encouraging to find a book that is all about the Christ-child’s story, as told in the many carols that poets and songwriters have penned through the centuries.

We find ourselves reading about the carol written by a 4th-century Roman poet, ‘Of the Father’s Heart Begotten’, and about ‘Carol of the Drum’, also known as ‘The Little Drummer Boy’; we find ourselves appreciating the beautiful poetry of Christina Rossetti’s ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ and responding to the plea for peace in ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’; and perhaps we will find our own personal favourites or carols that are new to us.

It’s an added bonus to be given a brief insight into the lives of the various people who have shared their thoughts.

It’s fascinating to see the variety of carols chosen by the contributors. And it’s an added bonus to be given a brief insight into the lives of the various people who have shared their thoughts and impressions about the carols that have a special meaning for them.

For example, Lieutenant Nazia Yousaf (Stockport Heaton Norris) writes about the carol of the book’s title. ‘Emmanuel’ was a word from God that gave her hope and strength during her time of training during the pandemic. She says: ‘What a blessing to know Emmanuel – God with us.’

Lieut-Colonel Dean chooses Joy Webb’s ‘The Surprise’, a carol that had a profound effect on him when he was a teenager in Harare, Zimbabwe. He finishes his reflection by saying: ‘The familiarity of the Christmas story can dull our sense of wonder. Every Advent, let the surprise catch your heart once more, making the old story new.’