Songs for a Saviour's Birth: Journey Through Advent With Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, The Angels, Simeon And Anna

by William J.U. Philip

Most of us are on the lookout for something fresh and different as we approach Advent and Christmas. How can we fully appreciate the familiar truths, treasuring yet again the good news and joy of the season? What will really make our hearts sing? Christmas has always been a time for songs and singing. In this sure-footed, yet conversational and down-to-earth, little volume, William Philip enables us to feel the joy of those who first welcomed Christ into the world. He looks at the "songs" of key characters in the Christmas Elizabeth (joy for the hearers), Mary (joy for the humble), Zechariah (joy for the helpless), the Shepherds (joy for the heavens), and Simeon and Anna (joy for the hopeful). This is a book to engage heart and head, as it moves between key passages from Luke's Gospel, from the song of the heavily pregnant to the song of a humble peasant, from the song of the helpless priest to the song of the heavenly proclaimers, and finally to the song of the hopeful "pensioners."

112 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2016

About the author

William Philip has been senior minister of St. George's-Tron Church in Glasgow, Scotland, since 2004. He was formerly director of ministry at the Proclamation Trust in London and is now chairman of Cornhill Scotland, an organization committed to training pastors for expository preaching. Prior to ordination, he was a doctor specializing in cardiology. He is the author of Why We Pray.

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biola University's Advent Project (https://ccca.biola.edu/advent/2021/#) mentioned this book as inspiration and the pairing is a delightful way to prepare for the birth of Christ. Thirty percent of the Bible is poetry and it behooves us to study the six songs connected this season of reflection. This little volume is also a good companion to Part I of Handel's Messiah.

[Ann Coker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because my husband has a similar Advent book on Zechariah, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus: The Scandal of Christmas by William B. Coker. I found Philip's book gave new insights into these persons who shared the Advent story.

[Linda Shugart · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's easy to feel like you know all there is to know about a story that has been so familiar for many, many years. This book brought freshness and a new perspective for me!