Preparing the Way: Christian Practices for Advent

by Scott Gunn (Contributor), Lindsay Barrett-Adler (Contributor), Hugo Olaiz (Contributor)

For Christians, the season of Advent should be a time of reflection, of waiting and watching for Jesus's miraculous birth. But the secular world likes to elbow in, with Christmas displays appearing in late summer. The secular celebrations of the weeks before Christmas often whips us into a frenzy of shopping, decorating, baking, and scheduling encounters with Santa (and the elves!). But our faith beckons us to a gentler way, one focused on the divine.

These daily meditations invite you into a more faith-filled observation of Advent and Christmas. Some devotions explore traditional Christian ways to make the seasons, from the Advent wreath to Christmas pageants, from favorite hymns to setting up the creche. But on other days, the reflections offer ideas about how to infuse a sense of the holy into popular traditions such as decorating the tree, sending Christmas cards, and exchanging gifts.

In these remarkable seasons of Advent and Christmas, the preparations we make to welcome Jesus should not only be in our homes but also our hearts.

112 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2023

Reviews

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Advent is not a penitential liturgical season as is Lent, it is characterized by quiet waiting and anticipation of Christ's birth on Christmas Day. In this world where the secular tops the spiritual, this is a wonderful little book to help us focus on the religious meaning of Advent and Christmas.

Written by Scott Gunn, Lindsay Barrett-Adler, Miriam McKenney, Hugo Olaiz, and Richelle Thompson of Forward Movement, the book consists of daily meditations that begin on the first Sunday of Advent, continue through the 12 days of Christmas, and end on Epiphany, January 6. Some entries are very short—just a prayer—while others are longer reflections with childhood memories of Christmas traditions, such as making an Advent wreath, sending cards, decorating Christmas trees, and singing carols.

Because it is published by Forward Movement, it has a distinct Episcopal slant. For example, all the prayers come from either the Book of Common Prayer or one of the other special Episcopal prayer books.

Each daily entry takes only a few minutes to read but enhances the day's focus on the deeper religious meaning of this most special and festive season. Best of all, you can read it again each Advent/Christmas season.

[Sandra D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comforting words

I enjoy every publication from forward movement. They are well thought out easy to read and comprehend. I would suggest these publications to everyone wanting to understand more about the good news.