Preparing for Christmas: Daily Reflections for Advent

I really enjoyed this little devotional booklet. For such a small package, it packs a wallop! In this collection of devotional thoughts, Richard Rohr calls the participating Christian to remembrance that Christmas not merely a “sentimental waiting for the baby Jesus,” but a very real message heralding the Incarnation of God in Christ. It is my opinion that in this call, Rohr succeeds.I found the daily reflections challenging and thought provoking. While I read a few reviews that stated the writings weren’t challenging enough, I found just the opposite. There were some instances and days the meditation presented by Fr Rohr was all I could handle; a simple statement for consideration read with an open mind/heart was all that was needed to send me on a soul-searching adventure for the day. Personally, I appreciate such depth and insightful wisdom packaged in concise statements and questions. Sometimes, the less words are used, the better.The structure and outline of the devotional weeks was very clean and easy to follow. Each week begins with a selection of Scripture texts that follow the Lectionary. All three years are included, so this devotional booklet can be used with any cycle (A, B, or C). The weekdays draw selectively from all of the years, some of them note the cycle they are drawn from and others do not. Rohr ends each meditation with a reflection question that helps to internalize the meditation and make it very personal. This Advent devotional is not about information… it is about transformation.This will be a great resource for future Christmas seasons. It has everything a reflective sojourner might need for an Advent journey; it has daily meditations, prayers, Scripture readings, and reflection questions to spur deeper thought and introspection. Everything one might want or expect for such a journey all in a pocket-sized package. This is one you can be confident to add for your Advent resources.Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fr. Richard’s teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy—practices of contemplation and lived kenosis (self-emptying), expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized.

Just okay. Although I have enjoyed several of Father Rohr's books, sometimes he strays too far from Orthodoxy for me personally. As a family, we have loved several of the daily reflections and felt they added much to our nightly Advent time. But other reflections in the book have too strong an "alternate orthodoxy" agenda.

Wonderful little book to prepare for the Holy Christmas season. Much food for thought and thoughts for sharing. Enjoy and share with your friends. Richard Rohr is a great current writer and presents forward thinking for Catholics and Christiansa like.

Preparing for Christmas is a wonderful way to find Christ even in Advent's waiting. Rohr's style is one of challenge and hope that leads to the promise of Mystery being fulfilled. This book is a delightful companion to the season, small enough to carry in a purse, back pocket or gym bag. Though each day's reflection is brief, its wisdom is deep; short enough to take only a minute or two to read, but rich enough to last a lifetime. This Advent exercise inspired me enough to give away copies to my friends.

Richard Rohr's Advent reflections is a spirit filled daily meditation that not only prepared my family for Christmas but was also the catalyst for great family conversations and discussions. If you are looking for something to read during Advent, I highly recommend this book be added to your family tradition at Christmas.

I love the writings of Richard Rohr and this is no exception. His reflections are heartfelt and they make so much sense to me. It's a very small, but very powerful booklet. It centers on what Christmas is really about.

I had been searching a long time for a good way to prepare for the Advent season. This little booklet is excellent. Give thoughtful, practical and sound guidance for the season.

I have used many Advent meditation booklets, but find Richard Rohr's to be the most insightful. I bought 4this year to pass out to friends.

A passage, a reflection, so far so familiar a pattern. Where this little book differs is the author - Richard Rohr - whose approach and whose writing bring these reflections into a different spiritual sphere.If you have encountered his other writings, you will know him for an inspired communicater. If you haven't read his other works then I hope you'll want to read more.To prepare for Christmas, this is a book full of delight and the chance of peace.

It's Richard Rohr! What's not to like? A wonderful way to prepare for Christmas, 'thoughts for the day' beyond the banal material available in other 'daily reading' publications. Richard Rohr will always get you thinking.

I'm so glad this didn't turn out to be a trite collection of quotes for Christmas garnered by Rohr's publishers. Instead, it's a challenging, thought-provoking, consoling and stirring collection of meditations. I got a bit list in the liturgical pattern towards the end (when there seemed to be lots of added days!) but will definitely be returning next December - if not before.

Excellent little book ..just right to carry with you each day . As always helpful reflections for this time of the year

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