Run, Shepherds, Run: Poems for Advent and Christmas - Countryman, L. William, ed. Morehouse, 2005. 100p. $11.95, Paperback. ISBN 0819221511.
821.008’0334 Christmas—Poetry. Christian poetry, English. Christian poetry, American. Advent—Poetry.
Episcopal priest and biblical scholar L. William Countryman has assembled this collection of poetry for devotional reading for Advent through Epiphany. His selections include the expected (Christina Rossetti, George Herbert, Emily Dickinson) and some perhaps less expected (Wind in the Willows author Kenneth Grahame, Australians Elizabeth J. Smith and Bruce Dawe). Countryman offers one poem per day and provides a brief introduction for each. Footnotes will aid understanding; for readers previously uncomfortable with poetry, he suggests ways to increase enjoyment. End material includes brief biographical sketches of the 25 poets whose work appears in this small (5" X 7") volume. This pleasant variation on the usual Advent devotional would be a desirable addition to any church library, a good resource for Christmas-season devotions, and a good item to recommend to library users who are fond of poetry.
Review by:
Monica Tenney
C&SL Media Review Editor
Maple Grove United Methodist Church
Columbus, Ohio
