ABM has just released ‘Caravan’, a book of incarnational stories based on the birth of Christ, but set in an Australian landscape. It is written in a way that allows it to be used as an Advent to Epiphany study for groups or individuals, but will also make a wonderful Christmas gift to yourself or others.

Written by ABM’s Stephen Daughty – and with Illustrations by Vanessa Daughtry – it follows in the footsteps of ABM’s 2023 Lenten Study, ‘The Imaginary Doorway’, (also by Stephen and Vanessa) which sold out inside a few months and garnered great feedback from around the country.

Stephen says, “How many of us have ever wondered what it might have been like if Jesus had been born into our time and place? I certainly have. I’ve also been fascinated by the fact that, when we enter into other cultures, we happily adapt the stories to fit that place and context, but here in Australia, we allow the stories of Christmas to remain set in the cultural concrete of other times and places. ‘Caravan’ is an attempt to tell the story as if Jesus was born into Australia, maybe last year?”

Already, praise for the book has been flowing in from reviewers.

These stories and their accompanying art are rich and evocative, sometimes harsh and jarring, but always lead us on a journey to rejoice at God’s incredible love in becoming one of us. There is hope in these stories just as there was and is in the original. In Caravan Steve and Vanessa Daughtry have given us a great gift. Enjoy it!

Geoff Smith, Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide and Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia.

I have read and watched many retellings of the Christmas stories, but this book is something special. Here the familiar characters are living in an alternative present-day Australia, which in itself provides freshness to the tales. But the real power of this book lies elsewhere. It lies in the sheer, gut-punching beauty of the writing; the depth of character created in a few short paragraphs; the mystery that throbs through everyday people and places. It lies in stories that halt you while you process an insight on one page, and have you laughing aloud on the next. These are stories and prayers which transcend age divisions. Adults, teens and children will be drawn together in shared enjoyment, and in the shared dawning wonder that maybe, just maybe, this unthinkably beautiful, far-away story of God coming to us is here, now, and real.

Dr Anne van Gend, author of Restoring the Story: The Good News of Atonement. Anne is Community Ministry Enabler in the Anglican Diocese of Dunedin, New Zealand.

‘Caravan’ will be on sale from ABM’s online store https://intothedesert.org/ from Wednesday, September 25^th. Orders can also be made by calling ABM on 1300 302 663. The price of each copy remains at $12, with postage at $12, regardless of whether you buy one copy or 100! A downloadable PDF version will also be available for $7 a copy.

A wonderful invitation to your parish or group to re-engage with the Christmas story in a truly Australian context. A fine personal journey into a fresh new landscape of Christmas. Great stories to read aloud with the family. A powerful gift to give those who might be hoping that God cares about us, in our time and place.

Grab ‘Caravan’ and start a new journey!