'The Joy of Advent' is a devotional based on writings
343224
3.5 stars. 'The Joy of Advent' is a devotional based on writings, sermons, and prayers of Pope Francis. Straightforward and filled with Franciss message of joy and of Gods love, its easy to follow though sometimes challenging to put into practice, making it a good choice for an Advent devotional  with a few caveats.

Each day begins with list of scripture readings for the day, followed by A Word from Pope Francis  essentially a sermon or homily drawn from Franciss writings or addresses. However, because the selections weren't all originally intended for or delivered during Advent, they may reflect the theme of the readings but don't always address or comment on the readings directly. In Taking the Word to Heart, the author/compiler, Diane M. Houdek, looks at the readings and ties them to Franciss words. Bringing the Word to Life suggests ways to apply whatever was discussed or learned in the first two sections to your own life. The day then closes with a prayer from Pope Francis (not written for this book) that relates to the days devotion, though not always perfectly.

Its hard to review this sort of book without experiencing it as it is meant to be used, so although I received a review e-copy back in October, I decided to read it during Advent, daily. (Well, to be completely honest, Ive missed a few days here and there and had to make them up  but I tried to make time each day!)

As with any devotional or daily prayer book, I found that some days reflections really resonated with me, while others were harder to connect to  and those may be the ones I need the most. Pope Franciss message of Gods love for us and ours for God comes across very clearly, but I wish the reflections focused more specifically on the scripture readings. The drawback of the books taken from Franciss words approach is that the connection between readings and reflection is not as close as it would be if Francis had set out to write a devotional himself. I would also appreciate having the text of the readings included within the book, instead of merely listed, so I could easily refer back to them.

Despite these reservations, many readers may find 'The Joy of Advent' helpful in stepping out of the bustle of holiday preparations and focusing on the the joy of the season.

Review originally published on The Bookwyrm's Hoard.

FTC disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher/author/publicist.
4656470
With the hustle and bustle of Christmas just around the corner I can feel the anxiety ramping up when I consider everything the holiday season brings.  What use to be considered a holy season has turned into blinking lights, frenetic celebrations, unbridled want and peace robbing activity.  From the first page, Come Lord Jesus, The Weight of Waiting invites us to breathe deeply and refocus on the reality of Christ in Christmas.

Kris Camealys voice offers a gentle, yet powerful message of the redemption we can find in Christ and the peace that comes with listening carefully to the message of Advent. Through careful, intentional exploration of scripture and insightful devotions Kris invites us to sit with the anticipation of Christmas and wait for more than just presents.  Come Lord Jesus is a beautifully written Advent devotional that will linger in your heart long after the holiday season is over.
1989742
This beautiful, small, hard-covered devotional leads us through the season of advent with devotionals centering around the names of Jesus. Each new week of advent, there is scripture to read together as a family, discussion questions, and a Christmas carol to sing. Then each day of the week has a different name of Jesus to meditate on, along with a devotional, a challenge, a prayer, and further verses for study. Each week ends with a list of activities for your family such as service projects.

Why should you celebrate advent? I love what Asheritah says in her introduction of the book: "We all suffer from soul amnesia, forgetting who God is and what He has done for us from one day to the next. Like you, I too must remind myself each year who Jesus is and why His birth is so miraculous--not because my mind doesn't know but because my heart ceases to be amazed."

So, I'm excited to go through this book with my kids and be reminded of the true Wonder of the season.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
4433223
I fell in love with this book when I saw it.  It is bright and Christmasy, it is comfortably sized, and it comes with a ribbon bookmark!  Then I began reading.  Each day's entry is written by a different author.  There is a Christmas-themed story to read, then a paragraph of life application based on the story.  I was blown away by what wonderful stories were told in just a few pages each time!  This devotional makes a nice addition to your regular quiet times during the Christmas season.  Or one might choose to read it to your family each evening around the Christmas tree.  It would make a wonderful gift, as well.

I received a copy of this book from the author, through Celebrate Lit, for review purposes.  The thoughts shared here are my own.
3341046
I look forward to each new daily reading and, as a pastor, have found myself referencing this devotional several times throughout Advent to members of my congregation. I especially appreciate having two devotions a day that are tied thematically together. I love the humor, stories, strong theology, and refreshing new twists on favorite scriptures. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a future Lenten devotional from QUinn Caldwell or another theme to hold me over the rest of the year.
978478
I will use this every year for my Advent and Christmas devotions. Will buy copies for friends and family next year.
2296833
Our family really enjoyed these advent readings this year! Ray Pritchard offers down-to-earth yet profound truths about what we're celebrating -- the coming of Christ. I recommend it to any family who wants to focus their minds and hearts on the reason for His coming.
2119188
This was just the ticket for what I was looking for Advent. To be read the 25 days leading up to Christmas, this is a collection of short, but poignant scripture readings and commentary. Sometimes I get annoyed with syruppy drivel pawned off as Christmas devotionals, but this one contained deep and thoughtful meditations. It put me in a great frame of mind, and was a daily reminder of the reason Christ was born.
3851686
I appreciated the theme of Choose Joy: 3-Minute Devotions for Women by Compiled by Barbour Staff. The format was a simple one of Bible verse, short devotional and prayer. At first glance the devotional seemed shorter than the 3 minutes it was designed to be, but looking closer, I could see how it a jumping off place that you could mediate on all day. The simple devotions remind us of all the joys in the Christian life which is thought provoking indeed.

How long one spend on thinking about the verses, praising God and praying would be left up to the individual. It can be as long or short as you choose to think about the reading as you go through your day. I liked the devotional, it jumped started my days by putting my focusing Gods goodness and choosing joy in my life.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
2150507
I'm so excited about this Advent book! All ages can explore the pages with both delight and depth - the insights, questions, and encouragement are all powerful. I can't wait to sit down with my little ones this Advent season, and especially with this beautiful perspective of Jesus' return and our expectant hope. The author's genuine heart and faith and pursuit of her faith shines through the writing - and the illustrator similarly points to Christ through her portraits of beauty and Truth. What a treasure!
1879041
I'll admit, it's a little strange to be reviewing a daily Advent devotional in the heat of summer, but the content of Paul David Tripp's book is well worth reading any time of the year.

Comprised ot two to three page essays about a series of key thoughts arising out of the Christmas story, the book also includes a scripture passage for each day along with a question or two to discuss with children. The selection of topics is broad and fresh, moving beyond the sometimes too familiar re-telling of shepherds and wise men and angels, and the depth of meaning in the Bible selections integrates this holiday story into the overall Gospel message.

This is definitely something to consider for your own or your family's advent preparation this year. Be sure to read each day's Bible passage along with the reading. If you have younger children, reading the devotional thoughts aloud may be a little too long to keep their attention. Instead, I'd recommend that you read the article on your own ahead of time and then read the scripture passage with the kids, discussing his key concept questions with them as the core of your family devotion.

However you use this, be sure to consider Come, Let Us Adore Him as part of your preparation for this year's Christmas celebrations.
1893605
I have been reading this little book since the first of December--a devotional for each day before Christmas--and really enjoy it. The devotionals are short and taken from Lucado's other books. It is a wonderful way to keep focused on what the Christmas season is really about during this time when our lives get bombarded with material, commercial empty stuff.
2926002
What we celebrate at Christmas is about many things, and one of those things is grace, that outpouring of Gods love where it is often most undeserved  us.

The stories in Finding Christmas: Stories of Startling Joy and Perfect Peace by James Calvin Schaap are about that  underserved grace, grace falling on the undeserving, the people dealing with the brokenness in their lives and in the lives of those they love.

Finding Christmas is comprised of seven stories, each with both a title and a subtitle. In The Baby / Forgetting Jesus, an eighth grader playing Mary in a Sunday school Christmas play has to find a doll to play the Baby Jesus.  In The Party: Facts of Life, a grandmother hungers to touch the granddaughter shes not allowed to talk with. In The Gifts / Shell Love It, a mother wrestles with believing she may have loved one daughter too much and the second a teenager pregnant and wanting to keep the baby.

The Church / Finding Something, a mother despairs of her professionally successful daughter whos lost all interest in the church of her youth. The Pageant / First Cry in the Stable has a child learning a lesson about animals and living on a farm. In The Afterglow / Merry Madness, a worker in a home for abandoned children discovers grace on New Years Eve. And in the Snowfall / Joy and Miracle, a man discovers that Jesus came for all of the needy, including the educated, sophisticated elitists like himself.

James Schaap in an emeritus professor of literature and writing at Dordt College in Sioux City, Iowa. Hes a novelist and short story writer, and has also written several devotional books. His most recent book is Reading Mother Teresa: A Calvinist looks lovingly at the little bride of Christ.

These stories of everyday, recognizable people  children, cafeteria workers, an actor, a pregnant teenager, mothers and grandmothers  are exactly what Christmas is about.
4225579
This 1996 book is a collection of very brief excerpts from various writings of these three popular Christian writers.

Charles Colson notes, "In announcing an all-encompassing Kingdom, Jesus was not using a clever metaphor; he was expressing the literal theme of Jewish history---that God was King and the people were his subjects... David... consolidated a visible kingdom for the people of God... But Jesus was not just a king for Israel; he was King for all people." (Pg. 45)

Max Lucado says, "If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If he had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, he'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and he chose your heart. And the Christmas gift he sent you in Bethlehem?" (Pg. 55)

Charles Swindoll suggests, "It occurred to me last week that there is a practical reason Thanksgiving always precedes Christmas: it sets in motion the ideal mental attitude to carry us through the weeks in between. In other words, a sustained spirit of gratitude makes the weeks before Christmas a celebration rather than a marathon." (Pg. 121)

Max Lucado observes, "A small cathedral outside Bethlehem marks the supposed birthplace of Jesus. Behind a high altar in the church is a cave, a little cavern lit by silver lamps... You can also enter the quiet cave where a star embedded in the floor recognizes the birth of the King. There is one stipulation, however. You have to stoop. The door is so low you can't go in standing up. The same is true of the Christ. You can see the world standing tall, but to witness the Saviour, you have to get on your knees." (Pg. 143)

This is an excellent "inspirational" collection of Christmas writings from three very popular writers.
1913038
The Christmas season has passed, but I wanted to share some thoughts I had on one of the Advent Readings that I used this last year;Come, Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp. I used this book personally this year, rather than with my family--though I expect I will do so in the future.

If you had 140 characters to express a profound truth about Christmas, what would you say? Paul Tripp answers that question in this book. Each days reading begins with a "tweet" which serves as a general summary statement or truth that is extracted from the overall narrative of Jesus's incarnation and makes a quick application of that truth. Tripp then spends a few pages explaining this statement before offering a passage of Scripture for further study and reflection. This is followed by a one-word theme that encapsulates the whole day's thoughts. Each day's reading concludes with a paragraph long suggestion for how parents can further use the reading with their children.

Unlike most Advent resources, the publication has a dated reading for all 31 days in December. It also includes a Scripture Index which can prove helpful. On the whole, this is a great book and was helpful to me this last Christmas season.

Disclaimer: This book was provided to me by Crossway in exchange for my review.
227095
The book is a very devotional reading for each. I try not to start my day without a spiritual quote from my
daily word. The book is like a quote direct from the almighty him self,Iam enjoying the journal each and
everyday. The other two was a gift for sisters in Christ, and they are really enjoying also.
  THANK YOU  FANNIE
2617899
A couple of statements in the devotionals that were not quite biblically accurate but what some today do believe- but that was a good discussion point also. Overall a nice advent companion.