News of great joy

Its many highlights include:

• the eminent biblical scholar John Barton on how to understand the Old Testament prophecies of the nativity;
• Barbara Brown Taylor on the prologue of John's Gospel which is always read on Christmas Day;
• Margaret Barker on the legends that have become part of the Christmas story;
• an unpublished short story by Evelyn Underhill;
• a piece on the origins of the Nine Lessons and Carols;
• poetry and reflections on the season's lectionary readings, and more besides.

In keeping with the Christ Child's birth in a borrowed stable, all royalties from this book will go to St Martin in the Fields' work with homeless refugees.