Women of the Nativity: An Advent and Christmas Journey in Nine Stories

by Paula Gooder, Ally Barrett (Illustrator)

Following on from her bestselling Women of Holy Week, Paula Gooder uses her extensive biblical expertise and storytelling skills to recreate the events of the nativity, from the promise of a future people to Sarah, to the presentation in the temple and the encounter with Anna, the prophetess. The story is told from the perspective of nine women in all including Mary, Elizabeth, Rachel, and others whom scripture records or tradition has imagined, such as the innkeeper’s wife. As we hear the familiar stories afresh through their words, the wonder of the incarnation and its consequences for good and for ill, come to vivid life in a new way. Each story is accompanied by a painting by the priest-artist, Ally Barrett. This will be widely welcomed by all who love Paula’s writing and respect her biblical expertise as well as those looking for fresh inspiration for seasonal services from Advent to Candlemas.

Genres: Christmas, Christian

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2024

About the author

Paula Gooder is a speaker and writer on the Bible, particularly on the New Testament. She began her working life, teaching for twelve years in ministerial formation first at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford and then at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. Following this she spent around eight years as a speaker and writer in biblical studies travelling the country and seeking to communicate the best of biblical scholarship in as accessible a way as possible, after that she spent six years working for the Bible Society as their Theologian in Residence and then for the Birmingham Diocese as their Director of Mission Learning and Development. She is currently the Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Reviews

[Katie Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful book to aid reflection and contemplation during Advent, the illustrations by Ally Barrett are also exceptional and help bring these women to life. Gooder is an inspirational theologian using context and research to bring these women to life, her work is a crucial aid for women's spirituality in the church to know they weren't forgotten; we are there in the scripture if we look closely.

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this almost a month early, partly because I am referring to Anna, the last of the women in the book, tomorrow, and wanted to glean Paula Gooder's insights before I finish my sermon. And there are plenty of insights in this slim volume, although perhaps not enough stories to sustain reading throughout out the long season of Advent through to Candlemas. I was wanting more, and indeed could probably have gobbled up all 9 stories in little more than a week or even less. They are stories, with a strong theological thread to them, rather than dramatic monologues, although they could easily be adapted into or inspire the latter, but they are powerful in their own right, especially when paired with Ally Barrett's simple yet profound paintings, which I got to see on their original form at one of Paula's launch events in St Mary le Strand. A good addition to my Advent resources and a helpful companion through what has been a difficult Advent.

[KatieK · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read but too fictional for me and not enough scripture.

[debbie-anne Hogarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book by Paula, that takes you outside the biblical text.
Challenging my thinking and linking biblical characters...

[Jody Stowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely to follow Advent with the stories of imagination of women in the biblical Advent story. I finished early because I couldn’t just read one at a time 😊

[Russeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book offering narratives that invite consideration of the women (too often not considered in these passages!) Gorgeous artwork. Another fabulous resource from Paula Gooder.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of stories weaving the advent and Christmas stories of women that were part of Christmas.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of the illustrations. Easy read. The research in the back was the most interesting part c