Discover the joy of a simpler, more sustainable Christmas

Olivia Warburton’s Dreaming of a Green Christmas combines ecological wisdom with biblical reflection, showing how caring for creation can transform our festive celebrations into acts of worship and stewardship, says our reviewer

Olivia Warburton’s Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Sustainability and creation care for busy people (The Bible Reading Fellowship) offers an invitation to reimagine what celebrating Christmas looks like when we centre creation care and community over consumption. Both practical and pastoral, this guide walks readers through every part of the festive season, from decorations and gift-giving to travel and family traditions, while reminding us that caring for the planet is an act of faith as much as it is an act of stewardship.

This combination of ecological wisdom and theological depth is what makes Dreaming of a Green Christmas stand out. It doesn’t just tell readers how to reduce waste; it calls them to reconnect with the heart of the Christmas story, one that celebrates humility, simplicity and generosity.

In a chapter on decluttering, Warburton draws a striking parallel between material clutter and spiritual attachment. She quotes Matthew 6:19–21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven […] for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This reminds readers that clearing physical space can also clear spiritual space. Her reflections transform ordinary acts like tidying or recycling into moments of worship, opportunities to loosen our grip on possessions and refocus our hearts on God.

Although resolute, Warburton’s approach is refreshingly gentle. Rather than guilt-tripping readers for their choices, she writes with compassion, encouraging small