I have been a part of the Abbey of the Arts for over ten years and Christine’s books and retreats have played a very important role in my spiritual journey. Her latest book, A Midwinter God, really touched my heart and soul. It is both her deeply personal journey and an invitation to walk together through times of struggle and grief. Through personal stories, reflections, scripture studies (written by her wonderful husband John), reflective activities, and poetry written by members of the Abbey community, the reader is invited to participate in the sacred work of healing with Christine. Set up in a retreat format, this is a book to be savored and returned to again and again as you walk through life’s challenges and opportunities for healing.

A Midwinter God by Christine Valters Paintner

This work by Christine Valters Paintner is freeing and insightful. Christine speaks from her own experience of the winter seasons of her life, and she also shares deep wisdom from many other voices. She invites me to stay with the darkness, pain, grief and sorrow of my life, and not to rush through it, distract myself from it, or accept trite rationales, but rather to allow the time for healing, spiritual growth and transformation, within the holy darkness.

It is counter-cultural in our time, she reminds me. It is challenging, and sometimes frightening, to stay there. Yet, Christine encourages and invites openness to be present to these difficult times. She offers wonderful resources and practices to aid in this process – meditation, expressive art forms, movement, nature walks, reflection questions, and others. And John Valters Paintner provides insightful scripture reflections for each theme.

It is always an invitation from Christine, never a “magic bullet” or a “must do”. She encourages listening, patience and open hands and heart. I will return to Christine’s book time and time again, for encouragement, solace, companionship and wisdom during the winter seasons of my life. Thank you, Christine, for this very rich experience!

I received a free copy of, A Midwinter God, by Christine Valters Painter, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The author defines Midwinter God as the "seeming absence of the God of life in dark and fallow seasons of loss". We have all dealt with loss and grief in our lives. Christine Valters Painter, shows how to deal with the cold months of darkness. This was a very informative book on how to get through the dark times.

A Midwinter God is a book to be read, reread, and savored over time to get the fullest benefit of the author's wisdom! Christine Valters Painter leads us on a journey to help restore normalizing grief as a part of our common humanity and uses her gifts of theological understanding, Jungian psychology, and personal experience to help us realize that the sorrows and losses that accompany grief are not to be avoided or diminished but befriended and embraced as ways that open us to individual and communal compassion. She invites us not to fear the darkness, but befriend the unknowing, trusting both in ourselves and the promise that we are never alone. In doing so, we learn to connect with our deepest selves, God, and each other. Besides the presenting theme, each chapter includes a biblical scripture reflection, a meditation, options for artistic expression, and reflection questions for journaling. Additional poetic materials are also included at the end of every chapter for those who would like to use the materials in small group settings. Thank you Christine for sharing this gift with the world.

Too often we are told that because it is a valley of the shadow of death we don’t need to fear. It isn’t real. Christine acknowledges both the reality and fear of that darkness in the Midwinter God. She courageously encourages and gently guides the journey into the holy darkness, revealing a space where true healing occurs.