An illustrated gift book of moving and inspirational Christmas readings.

In this gentle and humorous anthology of poems, stories, commentary and reflections, Adrian Plass invites us to celebrate Christmas in its many facets.

And Jesus Will Be Born is a holiday cornucopia filled with the laughter, tears, family foibles, simple joys and the rich blessings of the season.

There's no predicting what the turn of a page will bring in this Christmas collection by Adrian Plass. It may be a bit of verse to moisten the eyes ...

When I'm in heaven Tell me there'll be Christmases without the pain No memories that will not fade No chilled and sullen sense of loss That cannot face the festive flame Nor breathe excitement from the ice-cream air Tell me how the things that Christmas should have been Will be there for eternity in one long shining dawn For all of us to share I love the promises of Christmas.

Then again, there is this - an 'advertisement' from Plass's spoof of a church newsletter:

'How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news? The answer is - not very, if they haven't had those ugly corns treated. Christian chiropodist. Special Yuletide reductions... '

Setting the poignant, the madcap, the joyous and the tender in artful counterpoint, this is a book to be savoured over the entire holiday season. It offers something for everyone in every setting - family readings, personal libraries and even church pulpits.

And Jesus Will Be Born speaks to the full spectrum of our humanity, celebrating the golden Christmas traditions, poking playfully at our seasonal foibles, observing our less-than-noble attitudes with an eye that is at once honest and gracious - and always looking towards the Person around whom all that is truly Christmas revolves.

In the midst of our festivities, Adrian Plass gently reminds us why we need a Saviour. And he points us towards the unfathomable possibilities that have been opened to us, and the joy and hope that are ours, because Jesus was born long ago in Bethlehem and is born today in us.