We live in a story-shaped world and we are all the better for it. From the tales first told around the fires of indigenous peoples to modern day movies and Facebook sharing, human beings have relied on stories to give meaning and magic to our lives. Megan McKenna is an internationally known author, lecturer, retreat leader, and spiritual director. She is a one of Spirituality & Practice's Living Spiritual TeacherS (link) and the author of many books including Harm Not the Earth.

McKenna sees stories as the "glue that holds us together" in a world of many arbitrary separations and divisionS. Stories are good medicine for the soul and in this fetching paperback, the author demonstrates once again her knack for finding touching and insightful tales from around the world. She uses images of Russian nesting dolls to convey her reverence for the many unfolding stories connected with the Christian faith and the movements of the Spirit. She salutes the importance of the imagination and the art of listening in the realm of faith.

Noting that Christianity has always emphasized the importance of stories, she proceeds to look at the Trinity, Creation, the Incarnation, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and the Spirit in the church and in the world. At the end of each chapter, she includes a section of questions, activities, and prayers.

All of these stories, in one way or another carry the same message: God is with us and this world is filled with grace. McKenna uses a quotation from the early Church: "The Spirit: the kiss of the mouth of God." What a pleasure it is to be in the company of a Christian author who has traveled the globe, picked up hundreds of stories, and has the ability to open our hearts, minds, and souls to the whisperings of Spirit as we plod through our busy days!