Dr Gesa E Thiessen is an associate lecturer at the Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy in Dublin, and at All Hallows College, Dublin. She has been visiting lecturer at Trinity College and has contributed articles to leading Irish theological journals

"The book is engaging. It reflects on a whole range of issues: the nature of wisdom, leadership and power, handling tradition, inclusion, hope, sovereignty...and ends with a very moving personal perspective on the Coming Of Jesus, gained by having looked death in the eye. The book really took flight after the introduction, so don't get bogged down in this, but head on through it with anticipation. And, when you get into the main part of the book, I would suggest that you start on 17 December with O Sapientia and read a chapter a day. "