Little Blue Book for Advent: Spend some quiet time with the Lord

by Ken Untener, Nancy Ayotte (Illustrator), Erin Carlson (Editor)

In this time of waiting and anticipation, prepare your heart by spending time with God each day of Advent. The Little Blue Book guides you through this joyful season with short devotionals that will inspire you. This year's Advent book focuses on the Infancy Narrative of Luke's Gospel and begins Dec. 3, 2023. Little Books of the Diocese of Saginaw is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging people to pray for 6 minutes a day during the liturgical seasons. Conceived and developed by the late Bishop Ken Untener of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan, the Little Black Book debuted in 1999 as a Lenten reflection and quickly became a staple for individuals and congregations throughout the midwest. As demand grew, so too did Little Books, which now includes the Little Blue Book for the Advent/Christmas season and the Little White Book for the Easter season, along with titles for Stewardship and children, and other writings.

Each Little Book is faithfully written to correspond with seasonal themes and features daily scriptural-based lessons along with interesting facts about Catholic traditions, saints, notable people and symbolism. Today millions of people rely on Little Books to enhance their prayer practice and provide spiritual inspiration. All proceeds from Little Books go toward serving the needs of the people and communities of the 11-county Diocese of Saginaw.

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 23, 2023

About the author

Kenneth Edward Untener (August 3, 1937 – March 27, 2004) was a Roman Catholic bishop, serving the Diocese of Saginaw from 1980 until his death.

In 1999, Bishop Ken Untener of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw decided to create a Little Black Book, which would use the prayer tradition of Lectio Divina to help people pray the Passion of Our Lord. Besides an English version of the book, there was also a Spanish edition, and a children’s book (Little Purple Book).

Although Bishop Untener died in 2004, he remains the inspiration for the Little Books. His Little Books staff continue to produce Little Books each year for the Advent/Christmas, Lent and Easter seasons, based on Bishop Untener’s writings. They are also producing four Stewardship books in light of the four Gospels.

Reviews

[Lea Sober · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. So inspiring!!

I love the stories on the left side of each day. I learn a lot from them.

The right side is like reading the Bible i layman's words.

Thank you

[Linda Pershing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been using the Little Books for years...back to a time when my church gave away paper copies. I know enjoy having the digital version to read on my phone or tablet.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excllent

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

🖋️ This booklet is the usual watered-down Vatican II ecumenism that I did not expect at first when the parish was giving them away after Mass. When I returned home and began reading this, the author/editor made me think that the 2023 Advent season is 37 days; nay, they are counting all the way up to January 8, 2024. In fact, the 2023 Advent season is 22 days long. There is no Saint Andrew Novena, and some of the little stories inside are incomplete or misleading. They come across like they were written for little kids; perhaps this was. I really should have known this was not going to be useful to my family when I picked this up at my local Protestant Catholic church. What a disappointment, but I really am not surprised. I will be returning Little Blue Book for Advent: Spend some quiet time with the Lord the next time I drive by the church.

📖 Booklet version provided by the parish.
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