The Art of Advent by Jane Williams 
 

Wonderful and beautiful book with the potential to engage all ages in the season of Advent 

The Art of Advent: A painting a day from Advent to Epiphany
By Jane Williams
SPCK
ISBN: 9780281071692
Reviewer Andy Goodliff  

 
This is a wonderful and beautiful book for Advent. Jane Williams reflects on a painting each day between Advent and Epiphany, some very well known, others probably new to many of us. If, like me, you are interested in how art can help communicate and deepen faith, but lack the skills to read and interpret paintings, you will enjoy this book. (For those with the necessary skills, you will no doubt enjoy it too.)

I’ve read through the book for this review, but I confess very quickly, because I don’t want to rob myself of using it more slowly and prayerfully through Advent itself. In my head, I’m wondering whether I might use the book with my children — each day looking at the picture chosen and reflecting on what it tells us about God.

The book, I think, has potential to engage all ages in the season of Advent. The book covers all the advent themes of the last things, the four advent characters (patriarchs, prophets, John the Baptist, Mary), the seven advent cries, and then after Christmas, into paintings of Paul, Simeon and Anna, baptism, the Cana wedding and more.

Alongside each painting and Jane’s helpful and challenging reflections on it, are questions to consider. (No doubt the success of this book will see an equivalent book for Lent, which I would definitely welcome.)

Advent is a great opportunity to encounter the gospel, and The Art of Advent will help you do it afresh again. 

Andy Goodliff, minister of Belle Vue Baptist Church, Southend-on-Sea