Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos (a book review)

Goodreads:

Imaginary Jesus is a hilarious, fast-paced, not-quite-fictional story that’s unlike anything you’ve ever read before. When Matt Mikalatos realizes that his longtime buddy in the robe and sandals isn’t the real Jesus at all, but an imaginary one, he embarks on a mission to find the real thing. On his wild ride through time, space, and Portland, Oregon, he encounters hundreds of other Imaginary Jesuses determined to stand in his way (like Legalistic Jesus, Perpetually Angry Jesus, and Magic 8 Ball Jesus). But Matt won’t stop until he finds the real Jesus—and finally gets an answer to the question that’s haunted him for years. Be warned: Imaginary Jesus may bring you face-to-face with an imposter in your own life.

My Review:

Don't be put off by the cover, the title or the blurb! It's much better than that!

Honestly, I almost didn't pick up this book. It's outlook, plot and pretext just seemed too extreme! However, something inside me said 'give it a go'. And I'm so glad I did! 

Imaginary Jesus really makes you think. Who is the real Jesus? How does he fit with the images we get of him from religious and secular society? How can we recognise him in our lives? The real skill of Matt Mikalatos is being able to present questions like these not only in a non-preachy manner, but in a light-hearted and humorous story. 

Never for one moment does this book stop being entertaining. Yes, it can verge on weird at times but keep reading and the reason will always be revealed. 

Pick this book up if you want a change from more serious Christian books, but don't want to hang up your brain cells completely. 

Recommended for Christians in their teens, twenties or simply young at heart.

   

Is it just me by Miranda Hart (a book review)

A hilarious romp through life, Miranda shares some scarily real events amongst her comedy exploits. I found this book incredibly enjoyable. I found it hard to put down from start to finish.

I recommend this book to all of a female persuasion in their late 20s to early 40s.

Advent

Outside snow fell. It reminded her of the month of gray snows, when Holy Rainbow said, "A special child was born." She told her, "Celebrate. Fill up with the presence of the infant, given as a gift."

Advent, Hunt had called the season. Waiting with anticipation.

 from A Name of Her Own by Jane Kirkpatrick

What does advent mean to you?

Guides

"It is advent," Hunt said. "The time of anticipation. The perfect time to travel since we have three wise guides to show us."

A Name of Her Own by Jane Kirkpatrick

What guides you at this time of year?

Review Wednesday: Approaching Christmas by Jane Williams

Goodreads Summary:

This beautiful and thoughtful companion to the season of Advent and Christmas encourages readers to explore the true meaning of the festive season through a combination of reflections, quotations, and classic images

With this companion, learn about the objects and activities associated with Christmas—such as making lists, decorations, gifts, Christmas trees, music, food, and family—as well as special days such as Christmas Eve and Epiphany. In each section, the author brings together Christmas traditions, spiritual reflection, and quotations from Scripture and other writings through the ages. The result is an imaginative and stimulating exploration of the riches of this season—illustrated throughout with color reproductions of classic Christmas-themed paintings.

My review:

Some really interesting insights into the Christmas story, delivered in short sermon-style snippets.

The author is able to bring knowledge from a variety of walks of life into her writing, making it approachable and thought-provoking.

A good read for Christians searching for a new way of looking at the advent season.  

Action Reader's Action: Help someone else to have a good Christmas. You could volunteer to help the homeless, open up your home to others, give money to a children's / homeless charity, or anything else relevant you can think of.

What does Christmas mean to you?

 

The Twelve Days of Christmas

"Quick, quick!" said the partridge. "Are we all ready? Now tell the princess what her present is."

"Twelve ladies dancing," said the ladies on the lowest branch.

"Eleven lord a-leaping," sang the lords, rocketing up and down through the tree. Creak! Rattle!

"Ten pipers piping- one, two, one two three four," sang the pipers, and went into a spirited rendering of the tune.

"Nine drummers drumming." Thud! Boom!

"Eight maids a-milking."

"Hiss! Hiss! went the seven swans, who couldn't a-swim on their branch and were angry about it.

"Honk! Honk!" went the six geese a-laying.

"Ring! Ting!" sang the give gold rings in the wind.

"Call! Chirrup," sang the four calling birds.

"Le Cackle!" cackled the three French hens.

"Coo! Coo!" sang the two turtle doves.

There was a breathless pause, and everyone stared up at the partridge. He made sure they were all watching, then ruffled his feathers, stretched out his wings, and with a voice like sandpaper sang:

"And a Partridge In A Pearrrrrrrr," his neck stretched and his face went red as he took a deep breath, "Treeeeeeee!"

The Prince and The Partridge by Terry Pratchett (from A Blink of the Screen)

When did you last sing this song?

Three Wise Men

There was a window, if such I may call it, into a world of desert sands under a night sky. wherein three men of African or Asian appearance had made their camp. One of them spoke passable Latin, which the Oxford scholar was still just able to understand, despite his state of near inebriation. They too had found their world running out into a cardboard waste, and after a considerable study had put it down to some event, possibly astronomical, which had severely distorted Space and, who knows, perhaps even time itself.

Twenty Pence, With Envelope and Seasonal Greeting by Terry Pratchett (from A Blink of The Screen)

What is your vision of The Three Wise Men?