It's hard to imagine Advent or Christmas without music, and that goes beyond popular
carols and handbells. Author Max Vincent invites readers to discover the music in the
biblical story of Christmas. Four canticles ("little songs") precede, announce, and
celebrate the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. These canticles invite readers to
pause and consider the deeper meaning of the events surrounding his birth.
In Good News of Great Joy, 24 daily readings explore the context, content, and
spirituality of these canticles. Each of the four canticles has six daily readings. The
daily readings include practices and questions to encourage further reflection on these
little songs. In addition, the book provides a Leader's Guide for group study.
Luke's canticles were some of the earliest songs of the church and are still prayed daily
in some Christian traditions. Vincent encourages readers to pause and notice God's
comforting presence as they reflect on these joyous songs of Advent.
