Repeat the Sounding Joy

Sam Allberry

Christopher Ash shows us the refreshing, startling realities that lie behind our Christmas festivities. Whether you’re familiar with the story of the birth of Jesus or yet to be convinced it has any real relevance to life today, this will make you sit up, think again, and give thanks for these events that happened so long ago. I’m going to enjoy using it.

David Mathis

Christopher Ash is a proven scholar with pastoral sensibilities. His Advent meditations will give substance to the season for you and your kin. As the world turns its attention to Christmas, even as much as it tries to cover it over with Santa and sentimentalities, it unavoidably invites Christ’s people to commend him. Let’s not blush and utter a few holiday trivialities. Let’s give details and contours. Let’s provide reasons for Christmas—which begins with feeding our own souls on the substance of the season. Open to these 24 meditations each day in December and let the fresh air of Christmas sanity return to your soul.

“Wonderful for young adults, but where is the Hymnal?”

Our family has truly been enjoying the content of this book. We have 3 young adults and it's not to long or to childish for their attention span. Usually devotionals are to childish or to dry. Repeat the sounding joy is just right in teaching/scripture content. However, our family loves to sing and I was excited that there were hymns in this book. Sadly, not only do we not know most of them, but they can be hard to find because there is no titles. This is possibly because we are Americans and these seem to be English hymns, but would it be possible to put out a digital hymnal with this product? Or at least where to find them. Our family would be grateful!

“highly recommended”

This was one of the Advent books recommended through our church. From the outset to completion the author has thrown fresh light on Scriptures which had become familiar. The daily reflections have touched our hearts and blessed us deeply. At first glance the oldness of the hymns seemed questionable, but we soon came to appreciate the Scriptural integrity of the words and each day we've found a sung version on YouTube so we could sing too.

“A treasure to enjoy every Christmas”

I'm reading this for the second Christmas because I enjoyed it last year. It's been such a blessing to me once again. Christopher Ash writes in such a kind and gentle tone that I feel like I'm sitting by the fire with him and listening to pearls of wisdom! I like the fact that it goes through Luke 1-2 very slowly so we can meditate on the Word. Next year I'll be buying copies for my friends.

“Hearts Revived!”

What a treasure is this beautiful Advent devotional! As Christopher Ash leads the reader through the narrative of the Incarnation as told in the Gospel of Luke, hearts are surely revived; at least my own was! This work will hold a place of honor on my most favorite Advent reading shelf.

“The ideal build up to Christmas”

Christopher's notes on Luke's birth narrative gave us the ideal build up to Christmas. Fresh and profound insights flowing out of the text; crystal clear explanations centred on Luke's big points; warm and engaging encouragements to respond appropriately; the perfect length for daily readings at a busy time of year. Our whole family agreed that next autumn we should encourage everyone we know to be getting hold of a copy and inviting Christopher to journey with them throughout the month of December - to not only go through the Christmas season with joy rekindled, but to prepare for Christ's return with convictions renewed.

“Thought provoking, to the point, brief”

I bought several copies and some of my homegroup used them, as well as my daughter and me. A really interesting, thought provoking view of the two chapters of Like. I loved the reference to a song each day, some well known, some new to me. And although I complained that the prayers were "old fashioned language" to start with, they varied so shut me up! thank you Christopher Ash

“Thoroughly recommended”

I found this book really helpful in the busyness of the weeks leading up to Christmas. There is so much to consider in those first two chapters of Luke and I was quite sad to have finished reading it.

“Excellent Family Advent Aid”

I purchased 5 copies of this advent study, and distributed them to various family members on December 1st. Without exception all those who followed the study for Advent were enthusiastic in their agreement it had made a difference to how we started each day and how we thought about the Christmas story. Some sang, others didn't recognise the hymns and didn't know the tunes (shameful evangelists!!), but all were blessed by their quiet time. Thank you so much, and I look forward to repeating the sounding joy next Advent.

“Loving it”

Clear, thoughtful, simple and heart-warming. Loving it (No religiosity which my wife loves, however she is less keen on the songs!)