Do Not Be Afraid: The Joy of Waiting in a Time of Fear: The Archbishop of York’s Advent Book 2024

’Waiting can be beautiful and, at least sometimes, it takes us to the heart of the Holy.’

As much at home with Strictly Come Dancing as the mystical writings of Julian of Norwich, Rachel Mann writes with disarming verve of something we all experience - waiting.

It may seem unlikely when you’re stuck on a train, or nervously anticipating hospital treatment, or simply fearful of an uncertain future, that there is treasure to be found in the waiting. Yet the Psalmist says, ’I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.’

These luminous meditations tell stories of God waiting with us when we’re in fear or distress; of coming - bidden or unbidden - to relieve our loneliness; of disconcerting us, desiring us and surprising us with joy... Most of all they remind us that Jesus Christ comes into the world as one long waited for; as the servant who waits on others; as the one on whom we are, adoringly, called to wait.

Covering 4 weeks, each meditation ends with a prayer and questions for reflection, which may be used by individuals or groups.

Rachel Mann is a priest, poet, writer and broadcaster. She has written over a dozen books, including the Michael Ramsey Prize shortlisted Fierce Imaginings and A Kingdom of Love, which was highly commended in the Forward Poetry Prizes. She wrote the bestselling Lent course, From Now On, as well as the bestselling Advent Book, In the Bleak Midwinter and writes a regular column for The Christian Century. She regularly contributes to programmes on Radio 4, including ’Thought For the Day’ on the Today Programme, as well as ’Pause For Thought’ on Radio 2.