Books to Give Away this Christmas

Last updated on: December 22, 2018 at 10:02 pm by Carl "Skye" McColman

Books to Give Away this Christmas 2018-12-22T22:02:52-04:00 Carl "Skye" McColman

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It’s that time of year again… Advent! And if you’re like me and many other Catholics, you’re devoting some energy into trying to honor the deeply contemplative spirit of the season, while at the same time keeping up with all the demands on your time: parties, planning, gifts to buy, presents to wrap, and so forth.

Well, hopefully this blog post can be a wee bit of help. Here are seven ideas for books you might want to give to loved ones this year. Okay, it’s actually eight (the last one is one I wrote, so think of it as a “bonus” recommendation).

Kasper, Spiritual Writings

Cardinal Walter Kasper, Spiritual Writings — my recommended “general Catholic” title is an anthology of writings from a German cardinal who is known as a leading voice for inter-religious dialogue within the Vatican, but also as a prominent advocate of a spirituality of mercy — which, of course, has become a significant theme of Pope Francis’s ministry. This anthology covers four decades of writings by Cadinal Kasper, on themes such as Christ, hope, Vatican II, and Jewish-Christian relations. It functions not only as an introduction to the thought of one of the more important living Cardinals, but also as a general work of theology, suitable for anyone seeking insight into contemporary Catholic theology and spirituality.
Piccardo, Living Wisdom

Cristiana Piccardo, Living Wisdom — my recommended “Cistercian/monastic” title. Italian Trappistine nun Cristiana Piccardo offers an initiatory survey of monastic wisdom, drawing from the example of both renowned and lesser known Cistercian figures of the last century (from Thomas Merton to Abbess Pia Gullini), Piccardo reflects on the vibrancy of monastic life as a means for continual conversion, a path of love, and a channel for Christian mission. This book is a testament to the ongoing vitality and relevancy of traditional monasticism here in the third millennium.
Pope Francis, Care for Creation

Pope Francis, Care for Creation — another recommended general Catholic title, but also especially for those who love the Pope. Orbis Books has brought out a number of wonderful books featuring the words and wisdom of Pope Francis (another one worth exploring is I Believe: The Promise of the Creed), but if I had to choose just one I’d go with this “call for ecological conversion.” It gathers together excerpts from the Holy Father’s writings, speeches and homilies, and in so doing lays out the philosophy that undergirded his “green” encyclical Laudato Si‘. This is recommended not only for anyone who admires the pope, but also for anyone interested in the intersection between faith and environmental responsibility.
Kubicki, A Year of Daily Offerings

James Kubicki, SJ, A Year of Daily Offerings — my recommended “Prayer” title is a daily devotional from the national director of the Apostleship of Prayer, the Pope’s worldwide prayer network. A sumptuous feast of meditations on the lives of saints and the liturgical year, including prayers, questions for reflection, and an affirming word or phrase for each day of the year. It’s a wonderful tool for beginning or deepening a regular practice of morning prayer and devotion. And true to the author’s Jesuit identity, each daily entry also includes a 1-question “examen” for your evening review.
Verdon, Art & Prayer

Timothy Verdon, Art and Prayer —my recommended “Art” title. One of the most beautiful books I have seen in quite some time, this title connects the dots between spirituality and creativity with beautiful illustrations, mostly of classical art, accompanying essays on different dimensions of prayer, such as lectio divina, contemplation, and liturgical prayer. I believe strongly that beauty is such an essential part of authentic spirituality, so I find a book like this that testifies to the beauty not only of prayer, but of holiness, to be truly a joy.
Arpin-Ricci, Vulnerable Faith

Jamie Arpin-Ricci, Vulnerable Faith — my recommended “Celtic” title. In the tradition of Kurt Neilson’s Urban Iona, this book explores “missional living in the radical way of St. Patrick” — in other words, it’s a reflection on how the spirituality of the ancient Celts remains increasingly relevant in our postmodern age, when propositional arguments matter less than a radical commitment to live one’s faith, with joy, hospitality, and a dash of mystical prayer to boot. Arpin-Ricci understands the problems facing believers in today’s secular wilderness, and finds both joy and challenge in bringing ancient Celtic wisdom and contemporary realities together in this coherent — or should I say vulnerable — vision of discipleship.
Johnsen, Lost Masters

Linda Johnsen, Lost Masters — my recommended “Interfaith” title. Christian mysticism has two primary sources: Jewish spirituality, but also pagan Greek spirituality and philosophy. This book explores some of the same terrain as the work of Peter Kingsley (see especially In the Dark Places of Wisdom), who like Johnsen seeks to shed light on the mystical foundation of ancient Greek philosophy. While I don’t agree with all of her conclusions (she falls into the “Christianity is the oppressor” trap, and to my mind overstates the east-west connection), this is nevertheless an interesting survey of the golden thread of Greek mysticism, beginning with the mystery religions and Pythagoras and extending to the Neoplatonists (Plotinus, Proclus, Iamblichus) who had such an influence of the thought of Christian mystics like Pseudo-Dionysius or John Scotus Eriugena. Anyone interested in the back-story to medieval Christian mysticism would find plenty to think about — and argue with — here.
McColman, Christian Mystics

Carl McColman, Christian Mystics — and finally, my newest book, which hopefully will appeal to anyone interested in mysticism or in the history of Christian spirituality. Christian Mystics profiles over 100 great mystics, visionaries, philosophers, saints, and other lovers of God, and in doing so reveals how mystical Christianity is not a “one size fits all” matter. Rather, mysticism is as personal and unique as each individual, and so anyone who feels called to explore the Mysteries of God needs to remember that there’s only one right way to do so: and that’s the way that’s right for you. This book doesn’t tell you how to be a mystic; that’s between you and God. But it does introduce you to the most luminous, wise, and wonderful mystics of the western tradition, each of whom has left brilliant and profound writings that can help you on your own unique adventure seeking to respond to the love of God.

Okay, there you have it. Maybe this won’t cover everyone on your list, but hopefully you’ll find something here for the Christians/Catholics and/or mystics/contemplatives in your life… even if that person is you yourself!

I won’t wish you a Merry Christmas (yet) — since we’re still in the first week of Advent. So, in the spirit of the season, may you find abundant silence and the serenity that can be found only in the waiting. Happy Advent!

Enjoy reading this blog?
Click here to become a patron.

Holiday gift giving guide

Previous Post

December 1, 2016

"You Wrote Books About Paganism?!?"

Next Post

December 6, 2016 Why I Still Recommend Verbum Software for Catholics... and for all Contemplatives

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Activism Announcements Art Books Catholicism Celtic Christianity Christian mysticism Christianity Contemplation Current events Etc. Family humor interfaith dialogue Interfaith Wisdom Interspirituality Lay Cistercians Living the Faith Meditation movies Mysticism Mystics nature Poetry Reviews Scripture silence Spirituality Uncategorized Writing

Select a Month February 2025 January 2025 November 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 August 2023 June 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 October 2013 September 2013 July 2013 May 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 March 2012 December 2011 September 2011 October 2010 August 2010 March 2010 September 2009 July 2008 January 2008 December 2007 September 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What disciple walked on water toward Jesus?

Select your answer to see how you score.

James John Matthew Peter

Support this
Column