Books

COME, LORD JESUS:Reflections on the Advent and Christmas Seasons, James Tolhurst

Michael Gilchrist

Contents - Dec 2006 - Buy a copy now Editorial: The first Christmas - Peter Westmore Benedict XVI challenges 'de-Christianisation' of society - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Sydney RCIA conference for 2007 on authentic formation of new Catholics - Paula Flynn 'Lost!' controversy: Archbishop Bathersby's reply - AD2000 Report Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: the Montessori method for RE - Anne Delsorte A 'best practice' guide to priestly vocations Modest dress: Suitable attire for Mass: the moral dimension - Bishop John W. Yanta Religious Life: Tyburn Sisters' communities spread around the world - Tess Livingstone 2006 National Church Life Survey: important questions overlooked - Michael Gilchrist Shrines: Marian Valley: Queensland's centre of pilgrimage - Peter Westmore Letters: Vatican guidelines on Holy Communion for politicians - Vincent Bemowski Letters: A must read for faithful Catholics - Frank Bellet Letters: Liberal Catholicism - Paula Gartland Letters: News from India - Fr Francis Pinto CSsR Letters: Church teaching - Mark Moriarty Letters: Infant Baptism Letters: Community? - Peter Gilet Letters: Christian differences - Alan Barron Letters: True Church - E. Makaus Letters: Linguistics - Matt Bruekers Letters: Liturgical language - Ted Hayhoe Letters: Why apologise? - Concerned Catholic Books: The Shroud Story, by Brendan Whiting - Peter Westmore (reviewer) Books: COME, LORD JESUS:Reflections on the Advent and Christmas Seasons, James Tolhurst - Michael Gilchrist Events: Advent and Christmas Ceremonies - Priestly Fraternity of St Peter Books: SACRED PLACES, PILGRIM WAYS: Catholic Pilgrimages in France and Belgium - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Books: New Titles from AD Books Reflection: Jesus' law of love and the Ten Commandments - Fr Dennis Byrnes

COME, LORD JESUS:
Reflections on the Advent and Christmas Seasons
by James Tolhurst
(Gracewing/Freedom Publishing, 2006, 82pp, $19.95. Available from Freedom Publishing)

This beautiful, compact book provides an ideal preparation for the seasons of Advent and Christmas and would make a wonderful gift for anyone serious about entering into the spirit of these important Christian seasons.

Father Tolhurst is an English priest who has written extensively, including books on John Henry Newman and A Concise Catechism for Catholics. In his latest book, he provides a day-by-day coverage beginning with the First Sunday of Advent and concluding with the Epiphany of the Lord.

Each day includes the Gospel text along with a short commentary from Fr Tolhurst. In addition, there is a relevant reading, usually from the early writings of the Christian Church, with biographical details of the authors and a concluding reflection.

The spiritual contributors represent a who's who of the Church's saints and scholars, from St Irenaeus and St Thomas Aquinas to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Pope John Paul II.

Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark, one of the United States' most outspokenly orthodox Catholic bishops and most successful promoter of priestly vocations, offers a strong endorsement for Come, Lord Jesus.

'Father Tolhurst', he says, 'does a fine job of leading the faithful in reflecting upon Sacred Scripture. He draws on many excellent, diverse and rich sources from our Catholic heritage. The reflections are wonderful starting points to a deeper understanding of the Faith. They are supported by the teachings of the Church, as well as from the writings of many holy men and women down through the ages.'

Come, Lord Jesus, would also make an excellent resource book for Catholic secondary school classes, with its simple, compact lay-out and convenient cross-section of the Church's best writings on the theme of Advent and Christmas.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 19 No 11 (December 2006 - January 2007), p. 17