In this book Anne Thurston takes the season of Advent as a starting point to explore the themes of waiting, and longing, of hope and expectation which are at the heart of this season but which extend far beyond it. The theme is embodied in the potent symbol of pregnancy, and in stories of annunciations and visitations from the Scriptures. Images and insights from Art and Literature illuminate the text and invite us to a sacred space beyond words. The imaginative and creative use of art and story so that each casts light on the other; the freshness and energy in the writing; the starting point of human experience; the shift away from a traditional devotional approach; the reaching out beyond the liturgical season to touch into the heart of 'advent longing'; the accessibility of the writing. 'A Time of Waiting' is different from the traditional Advent book in that it is not confined to the liturgical season but has a broader scope. It is not devotional but rather stimulating and creative. The art works are integrated in the text so that it is far more than a nicely illustrated book.