Archbishop of Wales' Lent book
The Bishop of St Asaph’s new book depicting the characters of the Easter story has been selected as the Archbishop of Wales’ Lent Book for 2023.
An Easter Book of Days: Meeting the Characters of the Cross and Resurrection was written and illustrated by Gregory Cameron and follows his successful Advent Book of Days, showcasing the characters of the Christmas Story.
The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, is encouraging people to use An Easter Book of Days during Lent which starts on Ash Wednesday on 22 February. He says the book provides an opportunity to reflect on the Christian message of Easter.
He says, “This delightful and profound book takes us on a journey as rich in its text as in its imagery. Tracing the characters who feature in the Easter story, Bishop Gregory draws us into the unfolding drama of the One whose death and resurrection has shaped history like no other. As ever with stories like this, it is not only the wider impact of his life but how he touched individuals and showed them the challenge and beauty of God’s love. If you read this book well (and it deserves a close read) it will have precisely the same impact on you.”
An Easter Book of Days features 25 characters including historical figures, significant geographical locations and key moments in time. Among the more unusual characters is The Foal of a Donkey on day six. Traditionally, Jesus is described as riding on a donkey into Jerusalem. The book unpacks the prophecies for this event, explains its place in history, considers the legends which have accompanied this character and explores what the significance maybe for us today.
Among the other characters are Barabbas, who was released instead of Jesus by Pilate, Joseph of Arimathea, whom, legend has it, was a wealthy trader who brought Jesus to England, and Veronica who is reputed to have wiped the brow of Jesus as he walked to Calvary. Also included are people and situations more commonly associated with Easter, such as Judas Iscariot, Mary Magdalene and The Empty Tomb.
The author, Bishop Gregory says, “I hope that people will find this book helpful in navigating the complexities of the Easter Story. There are more shadows around some of the characters we meet, but the light of Christ and His transforming grace are also more apparent.”
- An Easter Book of Days is published by Canterbury Press, and is available for £8.99, or directly from bookshops and online shops. Bishop Gregory is also a calligrapher and icon writer and has created the illustrations for this book.