Forward Movement offers ‘Holly, Jolly’ Advent meditations

Posted Nov 22, 2013

[Forward Movement press release] Forward Movement is pleased to announce the release of From the Holly Jolly to the Holy: Reclaiming the Sacred During Advent and Christmas by Jim Rosenthal.

ens_112213_Advent_hollyJollyThe holiness of Advent and Christmas often gets lost in the busyness of the season. This year, explore Advent and Christmas through the lens of St. Nicholas and scripture, and find the holy in the midst of the secular traditions. Each day during Advent, From the Holly Jolly to the Holy will help you to reclaim this time as sacred and joy-filled.

“St. Nicholas’s story can help unleash within us that holy virtue of bringing new life and new hope to people who come our way,” Rosenthal explains. “As we anticipate the joy of Advent and journey through Christmas and Epiphany, we have a chance to recapture the holy and reclaim traditions, all to give glory to the blessed Christ Child.”

The Rev. Canon Dr. Jim Rosenthal is the president of the UK/USA St. Nicholas Society. He is retired and now lives in a village called St Nicholas at Wade, Kent, near Canterbury, where he also serves as the parish priest of St. Nicholas Church. Originally from Chicago, Rosenthal served as communications officer of the Anglican Communion for 19 years and has visited more than 70 countries. He co-authored St. Nicholas: A Closer Look at Christmas, published by Thomas Nelson USA. He dons the robes of Bishop Nicholas in many locations every year but his favorite is the annual celebration in Canterbury, walking alongside the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

“Jim Rosenthal has spent his ministry sharing the Good News across the globe, from his years in the Diocese of Chicago to nearly 20 years as communications officer for the Anglican Communion,” reflected Richelle Thompson, Managing Editor at Forward Movement.  “In his new book, From the Holly Jolly to the Holy, Jim shares his other passion: the goodwill and generous spirit of Saint Nicholas of Myra. Jim invites the readers to experience Advent and Christmas through the lens of Saint Nicholas the holy, not the Santa Claus the jolly. It’s a book that brings us back to the heart of this sacred time and helps recapture the divine delight of the season.”

“Seeing this book in print,” Rosenthal enthused, “gives me hope that some may see in its pages a way forward in reclaiming the holy and at the same time learning to enjoy the heritage we have in dear old St. Nicholas, who shows us the way to wait for a child to be born who just happens to be the Prince of Peace.”

To order copies of From the Holly Jolly to the Holy: Reclaiming the Sacred During Advent and Christmas, click here or call 1-800-543-1813.

Forward Movement works to nurture discipleship and encourage evangelism by providing print and digital resources to all who wish to deepen their spiritual engagement. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio since its inception in 1935, Forward Movement is widely known for Forward Day by Day. Forward Movement is a ministry of The Episcopal Church.


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