Listening to the Music of the Soul: The Archbishop of York's Advent Book 2025

by Guli Francis-Dehqani

'The quest for authenticity has been a hallmark of Guli's journey since she arrived in this country as a refugee forty years ago... She has an extraordinary ability to hear the music not only of the soul but of the future, and emboldens us to dance to it today.'
BISHOP ROBERT ATWELL

When it comes to inhabiting life fully, Mary is surely one of our greatest role models. 'My soul magnifies the Lord,' she sings in the Magnificat. Her spirited response to the Angel Gabriel's announcement that she is to bear the son of God is rich in nuance, contradiction and paradox.

These very characteristics inspire Bishop Guli to make connections between the themes of Advent and her own experiences - and to invite us to do the same.

Bishop Guli's forced exile from her homeland has echoes of the flight into Egypt; the murder of her brother Bahram during the Iranian Revolution of the slaughter of the innocents. She writes intriguingly of how angels continue speaking to us today; how fear can prevent us from living well in the present; how pain and loss can be transformed by the power of beauty.







Deepening its resonance, each chapter is linked to a piece of music, prompting us to what are the enduring melodies that sustain us as the vibrant stories of our lives unfold?

113 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2025

Reviews

[Jane Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, multi layered book and very much appropriate for any time of the year, despite it being titled as for Advent.

The underlying theme of the narrative is 'the importance of connecting in a meaningful way with our innermost being .... to see those things that are deepest in our heart and speak to us of who we really are; to ponder on the way we relate to the world, to God and to others.'

I am of the generation who remember those who would travel the world to 'find themselves' and, in a sense, this book provides the reader with questions, thoughts and reflections and pointers for doing just that. The author has experienced both persecution and celebration for being who she is and so is well qualified to talk about the process of establishing one's place, one's mark in the world, in the community, with oneself and, most importantly, with God.

At the end of each chapter there is a QR code link to a piece of music which the author feels best portrays the tenor of that chapter, together with questions for reflection - just three, not heavy stuff but just something to help one think beyond the page.

A lovely, lovely book.

[Cathy Hine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This extraordinary book invites you on a journey of listening; listening to God, to your soul, to yourself, to words and to music that will draw you into places of home, of relationship and pain and sorry, or Joy and hope. Bishop Guli has laid out an extraordinary advent path and invites the reader to share the journey with her. Through the story of Mary she opens doors for exploring some of the deep challenges of our world today. In a world of unrelenting noise she paints an inviting picture of what can happen when we embrace silence, darkness, space and practices of listening. In a beautiful and amazing way she provides music that is deeply moving as part of the journey. Thank you Bishop Guli.

[Katie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, top marks for the cover of this book which is beautiful and really makes it a pleasure to pick up. And I loved the qr codes linking to a piece of music at the end of each chapter, giving a time to reflect and to sit quietly - something I really appreciated during the rush that has been this advent. It is a thought provoking little book which I will definitely go back to and think about more. So for me a good book for the season of advent of which invites us to go within and be challenged in our waiting.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never managed to finish an advent book yet…. Until this treasure!
I was seduced by the promise of the music within, but to be honest they become a nice addition.
I will treasure the words, thoughts and sentiments and have no doubt that they will be vital in my future walk with Jesus and others with whom I walk with.

I will finish this book again and again, a light in the dark.

[John Howes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the basis of eight discussions I had with my theology friends. We had plenty to talk about. The author's own tragic story is mentioned throughout and she chooses pieces of music to listen to with each chapter.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Advent book covering fairly familiar territory. I liked the inclusion of music suggestions for each chapter.