BARBARA CAWTHORNE CRAFTON is a popular preacher, retreat leader, and writer who teaches at Marble Collegiate Church and at the General Theological Seminary in New York City. Her articles have appeared in the New York Times, Reader's Digest, Episcopal Life, and many other publications. She is the author of many books, including Called, The Courage to Grow Old, The Sewing Room, Living Lent, and many others. She lives in Metuchen, New Jersey.

"For centuries the words and poetry of our hymns have spoken to us of God. Many people find that what is heard in poetry and music sinks more deeply into the soul than anything else....Barbara Crafton's new book of daily meditations on faith, prayer, forgiveness, and healing for Lent and Easter is inspired by the words and poetry of the beautiful seasonal hymns of the 1982 Hymnal.

"The author suggests that you sing the hymns from which she has selected short phrases that spark the meditations, and I think this is a particularly wonderful idea. Seasonal hymns do not become as familiar as general hymns, yet they are some of our most stunning poetry and music and deserve more attention and more spontaneous humming."—Elizabeth M. Ring for The Northeast, Lent 2002