I’m reminded by the upsurge of traffic on the blog, looking for Stir-Up Sunday and ideas for Advent, that Advent isn’t far away – just over two months, in fact, as Advent 2008 begins on Sunday 30th November.

This time last year I was all excited about the publication of my Advent book, Beginnings and Endings (and what happens in between) which is laid out in short chapters, one for each day from Advent to Epiphany.

The book was reviewed in these places: christianbookreview,  simon marsh,  the goodbookstall,  andy goodliff, bishop alan’s blog,  amazon uk, jonny baker, eden, pilgrim soldier,

I know a lot of blog-readers were frustrated with its limited availability last year. If you missed it then, I am informed that this year it really is IN STOCK at  Amazon UK. Tesco online, W H Smith online, and there are copies via Amazon stateside too.

One of the ideas I wove through my book was that Advent and Christmas could do with simplifying, so that we had more time to enjoy the season and less of the mad rush that can make Christmas just seem like one more nightmare-ish deadline. So I’m happy to see that the wonderful Stephen Cottrell has extended his “Do Nothing” idea into Do Nothing, Christmas is Coming – an Advent calendar with a difference – something for every day of Advent to make Christmas preparations joyful rather than stressful. I’m waiting for my copy of  to arrive, but I’m confidently expecting something rather good.

(EDIT: Stephen Cottrell’s book is, indeed excellent. I read the whole thing quickly at one sitting to get the feel of what it’s about. A thoughtful read would take five minutes a day, perfect for taking the reader through Advent with a daily, short but by no means shallow “thought for the day”. He recommends everything from how to get Christmas shopping into a manageable state, both for time and budget, to taking time for yourself, to handling thoughts of faith when you’re not sure what to do with them. I’d say it would make a good Christmas present, but in fact, you need to send it to yourself and your friends around now really to be ready for early December! )