Okay, so this isn't exactly part of the sequels and series I've been focusing on this year, but Walking Backwards to Christmas by Stephen Cottrell is a book that was recommended to me as a tool that helps you to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas during the season of Advent. The author helps readers to take a fresh look at the well-known story of Christmas by focusing on different characters and giving voice to how they might have been thinking and feeling. So we hear the inner workings of people such as Casper (a king), David (a shepherd) and Joseph. This is an imaginative way of telling the story and gives life to what may seem like some of the "bit players" that get a passing mention in the scriptures. What were the shepherds thinking and feeling before the angel appeared, and how did that change? How close was Joseph to abandoning Mary when she told him she was pregnant? Each chapter focuses on a different person and puts flesh on their bones and helps the reader to really think about how they might react if they were the ones being thrust into this momentous event. This may be a work of fiction, and we will never know what Mary really thought at that exact moment in time, but this book brings the humanity of all of those people into focus and really does help you to think ... what if? I found this short book compelling and know that I will read it again next year.
My STAR rating: FOUR.
Length: 128 print pages.
Price I paid: £4.79.
Formats available: print; ebook.
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