When the Time was Right

This is not just a book that looks back to the first Christmas; it is an opportunity to anticipate the future and allow Jesus to make a difference in our lives today. In this book of daily readings and reflections, we meet the kind of people God used to unfold his plan at just the right time: the failures, the reluctant, the ordinary, the humble, the faithful, the persevering - and he can use us too.

Stephen Rand works as senior writer and campaign consultant for Open Doors. Co-chair of the Jubilee Debt Campaign he was among those responsible for the Make Poverty History campaign in 2005. A writer and speaker, he regularly contributes to BRF's New Daylight Bible reading notes, and is author of Guinea Pig for Lunch (Hodder,1998) which drew on 25 years of global travel whilst working for Tearfund. Stephen is also staff member of Kairos church in Wimbledon - a Baptist church meeting in a local cinema!

From: Home and Family - Winter 2006

'The message of Advent is that Jesus can be born into our lives and we can know his presence by his Spirit. If we are living our lives as though it were Christmas every day, then the world will be blessed, we'll be blessed - and we'll be ready.'

These are the final words of Stephen Rand's advent book, and sum up its purpose,. By examining the kinds of people in the Bible, ordinary or flawed as they are, who come into God's plan, we are led to see that we all enter into that plan too. It is a plan which includes Christmas, Easter and the second coming, the conquering of sin and the ultimate triumph in which we can all share.

Each Bible reading is followed by several pages of comment and a concluding prayer. Stephen Rand is co-chair of the Jubilee Debt campaign and is involved in the Make Poverty History campaign, and these concerns come through in his comments.

I would recommend this book if you want to be encouraged and challenged to learn more about the purposes of God for the world - and how they involve you.

Reviewed by Carolyn Willett

From: The Baptist Times - 23 November 2006

With all the busyness of the pre-Christmas rush it is easy to overlook the period of Advent. This book provides the ideal solution to the problem with 37 daily Bible readings running from 1 December to 6 January.

In the first half, Stephen Rand provides a readable, thought-provoking series of devotional reflections on some of the biblical characters not usually associated with the Christmas story.

Beginning with Adam, he selects from the lineage of Jesus recorded in Matthew's Gospel the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the somewhat unlikely figure of Rahab, Moabitess Ruth and her husband Boaz, and sundry kings, initially of Israel and subsequently of Judah - David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jehoshaphat Hezekiah and Josiah - together with Zerubbabel, who helped rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

Then come similar studies based on well-known characters from the Christmas story. The list from Old and New Testaments reminds us that God uses all sorts to fulfil his purposes - the failure, the reluctant and the rogues, as well as the humble, the faithful and the persevering.

The book concludes with some thoughts prompted by different aspects of the life and death of Jesus, and a brief look ahead to the Second Advent.

Inevitably, the author draws on insights he gained from 25 years spent working with Tearfund and his current leadership of the Jubilee Debt Campaign.

His passion for justice comes through strongly, but this is balanced by a lightness of touch and the inclusion of homely illustrations drawn from family life which give the book a broad appeal.

i>Reviewed by John Capon, former editor of the Baptist Times

From: The Methodist Recorder - 23 November 2006

Books to enrich the period of Advent include When the Time was Right by Stephen Rand, co-chair of the Jubilee Debt Campaign and worker for Tearfund for more than 25 years: his concern for the world's disadvantaged people is a theme running throughout the book. This profoundly thoughtful volume carries the reader from 1 December (Genesis 1) through to 6 January (2 Peter), in weeks headed 'The family tree', 'The kingly line', 'A cast of thousands', Family and friends', A sense of purpose' and, for 5 and 6 January, 'The time is coming', each section preceded by an introduction. As is usual in such books, each day has a Bible passage, a reflection and a prayer and by this means ach one powerfully delivers an understanding of how God works through ordinary people.

From: Church Times - 10 November 2006

Three or four pages for every day from 1 December to 6 January - beginning with a Bible reading (printed in full) and ending with a prayer.

These are extended reflections, in the style of the New Daylight Bible notes that the author also writes for this publisher. Mr Rand, who is the co-chairman of the Jubilee Debt Campaign, writes with sensitivity and humane warmth about the questions of modern life which he finds exemplified in the readings. His elucidations of the passages open them up in ways that many will find helpful.

Reviewed by Rachel Boulding

From Reform - November 2006

A few years ago, as a church in Cricklade, we used the idea of a Jesse Tree to explore the Advent season. By Christmas day we had our very own Jesse Tree covered with handmade decorations reminding us of our journey through Advent. As well as the creativity, I really enjoyed the opportunity to think about the different characters of Jesus' 'family tree' and their relation not only to his story, but to our living faith today.

Stephen Rand's book, When the Time was Right follows a similar pattern of exploring many of the supporting characters in the Jesus story. From Adam to Zerubbabel and Rahab to Anna, Rand provides a Bible reading and reflection for every day from December 1 through to January 6. Although I struggled with some of the language and interpretation I quite enjoyed this book for its down-to-earth style and connections to many of today's issues such as racism and migration.

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