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Find Peace in Advent!: 4 Weeks to Worrying Less at Christmas
Is it really possible to find peace during one of the busiest and stress-filled times of the year? Catholic author and self-described “recovering worrier” Gary Zimak offers a practical, scripture-based approach to Advent so we can make room for Jesus in our chaotic, busy, and fast-paced lives.
While most Catholics have an awareness of Lenten practices, we often don’t know what to do during Advent—even if we know both seasons are times of preparation. On top of this, the holiday season arrives with its own busy rhythms with family and friends. Many of us know that Advent is supposed to be a special season, but we are so pre-occupied with getting ready for the holidays that we fail to benefit from it.
Find Peace in Advent! will enable you to deepen your relationship with Jesus and find peace during one of the most stressful times of the year. This book, which uses a similar approach to the bestselling Give Up Worry for Lent!, requires only a few minutes of reading each day and helps you grow closer to Jesus and experience the peace that only he can give. The daily readings and reflections are easy to digest and connect to the daily Mass readings and the rhythm of the Advent season. With each entry, Zimak guides you to ponder foundational truths of faith and apply them to your own life with four simple
Read Reflect Respond Pray As you continue to meditate on scripture and practice the simple action steps at the end of each reflection, you will find it easier to let go of your stress and worries and instead take small steps to deepen your relationship with God and make him the center of your life.
There is no better time to seek interior peace than Advent, which is a time to prepare to celebrate the many ways Jesus reaches into our lives. This four-week process is more than a survival guide to a busy season—it is a journey by which we learn to walk with Jesus, the one who guides our feet onto the path of peace.
While most Catholics have an awareness of Lenten practices, we often don’t know what to do during Advent—even if we know both seasons are times of preparation. On top of this, the holiday season arrives with its own busy rhythms with family and friends. Many of us know that Advent is supposed to be a special season, but we are so pre-occupied with getting ready for the holidays that we fail to benefit from it.
Find Peace in Advent! will enable you to deepen your relationship with Jesus and find peace during one of the most stressful times of the year. This book, which uses a similar approach to the bestselling Give Up Worry for Lent!, requires only a few minutes of reading each day and helps you grow closer to Jesus and experience the peace that only he can give. The daily readings and reflections are easy to digest and connect to the daily Mass readings and the rhythm of the Advent season. With each entry, Zimak guides you to ponder foundational truths of faith and apply them to your own life with four simple
Read Reflect Respond Pray As you continue to meditate on scripture and practice the simple action steps at the end of each reflection, you will find it easier to let go of your stress and worries and instead take small steps to deepen your relationship with God and make him the center of your life.
There is no better time to seek interior peace than Advent, which is a time to prepare to celebrate the many ways Jesus reaches into our lives. This four-week process is more than a survival guide to a busy season—it is a journey by which we learn to walk with Jesus, the one who guides our feet onto the path of peace.
160 pages, Paperback
Published August 2, 2024
5 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Gary Zimak
20 books18 followersHost of Following The Truth on BlogTalkRadio (M-F at 8PM Eastern)
Author of A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible and Listen To Your Blessed Mother(coming in August 2013)
Regular Guest on Catholic Answers Live, EWTN Radio’s Son Rise Morning Show, Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo and Relevant Radio’s Morning Air
Catholic Lay Evangelist and Motivational Speaker
Blogger and Regular Contributor to Catholic Stand, Catholic Exchange & New Advent Websites
Author of A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible and Listen To Your Blessed Mother(coming in August 2013)
Regular Guest on Catholic Answers Live, EWTN Radio’s Son Rise Morning Show, Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo and Relevant Radio’s Morning Air
Catholic Lay Evangelist and Motivational Speaker
Blogger and Regular Contributor to Catholic Stand, Catholic Exchange & New Advent Websites
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 22, 2024
I received a free copy of, Find Peace in Advent! by Gark Zimak, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Advent can be a stressful time for people, this book helps you to relax and center yourself, by finding peace with devotions and prayer. For someone with anxiety this is a great tool, to help with worry, and grow closer to God.
August 10, 2024
overview: This is a great book if you want to do a daily devotional for Advent that does not revolve around all the shopping, baking, parties etc.
The intro explains out how the book was conceived and the lay out of the book. He introduces Advent in a way I have never heard before. Even though Jesus' birth has already happened we can use Advent as a time to prepare for his second coming, or when we meet him at our death, instead of it purely being to prepare for Christmas day.
Each day has a reading, reflection, respond and prayer
The Mass readings for that day are referenced if you want to read more than the verse[s] he includes.
The explanation for the format of the A, B, C cycle of Sunday readings could be better. Not every Catholic knows about it, or would fully get it with the way it is explained.
I still do not understand the reasoning for why Dec 17-24 has to have a separate section [there's a weekend in there but those readings are somewhere else], and the reading for the Immaculate Conception seems to be in the wrong place.
There are different readings/reflections/responds/prayer for every possible Christmas Mass [vigil, during the night, at dawn, and during the day]. I understand that there are different readings for each Mass, I'm just not sure it is necessary for this book to single them all out and make it seem more tedious for those who are new to the faith or trying to get back into things.
the conclusion does a good job of summing the previous 4 weeks with a "call to action" ie to keep reading the bible, daily prayer life and receiving the Sacraments.
I gave it 4 stars because the Advent season easily gets overlooked by all of the secular aspects of Christmas. This gives a simple but effective devotional if you want something specific to the season of Advent [like there are plenty for Lent] . But it does not shame people for participating in the secular aspects of Advent and Christmas, but invites you to add this to your Advent routine. I took one star off for the previously mentioned confusions.
The intro explains out how the book was conceived and the lay out of the book. He introduces Advent in a way I have never heard before. Even though Jesus' birth has already happened we can use Advent as a time to prepare for his second coming, or when we meet him at our death, instead of it purely being to prepare for Christmas day.
Each day has a reading, reflection, respond and prayer
The Mass readings for that day are referenced if you want to read more than the verse[s] he includes.
The explanation for the format of the A, B, C cycle of Sunday readings could be better. Not every Catholic knows about it, or would fully get it with the way it is explained.
I still do not understand the reasoning for why Dec 17-24 has to have a separate section [there's a weekend in there but those readings are somewhere else], and the reading for the Immaculate Conception seems to be in the wrong place.
There are different readings/reflections/responds/prayer for every possible Christmas Mass [vigil, during the night, at dawn, and during the day]. I understand that there are different readings for each Mass, I'm just not sure it is necessary for this book to single them all out and make it seem more tedious for those who are new to the faith or trying to get back into things.
the conclusion does a good job of summing the previous 4 weeks with a "call to action" ie to keep reading the bible, daily prayer life and receiving the Sacraments.
I gave it 4 stars because the Advent season easily gets overlooked by all of the secular aspects of Christmas. This gives a simple but effective devotional if you want something specific to the season of Advent [like there are plenty for Lent] . But it does not shame people for participating in the secular aspects of Advent and Christmas, but invites you to add this to your Advent routine. I took one star off for the previously mentioned confusions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2024
Find Peace in Advent uses bible verses and reflections to help you find the peace you need in the hustle and bustle of life and the Christmas season. The time the church celebrates as Advent can be stressful as it occurs during a time society has made overly busy and stressful. This book focuses on finding peace and light in this busy season. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to help focus in on the true meaning of Christmas.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions are my own.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions are my own.
August 19, 2024
Gary Zimak is back with another inspirational devotional designed to help people find inner peace. The book is neatly divided up with daily meditations and Bible readings designed to help one apply them in daily life. I liked that the Sunday ones are split up for year A, B, and C meaning that this can be used year after year. A must have for any Catholic struggling to find peace in this world! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews