How Far Is It to Bethlehem (Review & Recommendation)

Last updated on: December 5, 2013 at 7:00 am by Sarah Reinhard

How Far Is It to Bethlehem (Review & Recommendation) 2013-12-04T07:27:29-06:00 Sarah Reinhard

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.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’m a year late with my review of this book. Do NOT read that as any sort of dis on this book, because it is wonderfully done and a worthwhile addition to your family library.

Nancy Brown has a passion for all things Chesterton, and she has inspired the same in me as I listen to her on the Uncommon Sense podcast. Nancy has a special love for Frances Chesterton, G.K.’s wife. This book, How Far Is It to Bethlehem: The Plays and Poetry of Frances Chesterton, was an inspired effort.

As Nancy tells it, she spent forever-and-a-half checking out and digging through old papers and books to pull out Frances’s plays and poetry.

I think, after reading this compilation, that Frances was truly amazing. G.K.’s secret to success? Well, she didn’t hurt anything, I think.

Bethlehem includes six original plays that Frances had written over the years for the kids who came to the Chesterton house for their annual Christmas party celebration. Real kids actually used these plays, and I can see why. My eight-year-old doesn’t know about this book yet, but when she does, I’m pretty sure the dramatic flair in my house is going to hit the stage!

Though they were written just under 100 years ago, they have a classic feel to them: they make sense to the modern mind and open the door to contemplation on just what we’re doing when we celebrate Christmas. (Hint: the gifts aren’t all about new toys.)

But they’re not preachy. They’re not stuffy. They’re actually full of humor and beauty.

And then there’s the Christmas card poetry. Now, I’m not much of a poetry reader. I like the idea of liking poetry, but the truth is that it’s work, which takes time I don’t usually spend.

Frances Chesterton’s Christmas poetry, though, is not work. Oh, it can be. But it’s almost conversational, and the images it evokes are so tangible that you find yourself shivering and giggling and thinking about it hours later.

This book is a gem, and one I can’t recommend enough.

Review

Poetry

Review

Previous Post

December 4, 2013

Review: The Catechism of Hockey

Next Post

December 6, 2013 Saints of Christmas Set from Liguori

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Art Bible Study Bulletin Board Catholic Church Excerpt Faith-y Stuff Funny Stuff Good Deals Listening Now Patheos Book Club Personal Reading Challenge Podcast Alert Random Bookishness Resources Review Uncategorized Well Said What I'm Reading

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 January 2016 December 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 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz