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Time to Get Ready: An Advent, Christmas Reader to Wake Your Soul
For many Christians, Advent and Christmas have simply become just another time of year, albeit more frenetic. It is for them that Mark Villano has written Time to Get Ready. He opens up the scriptures, themes, and liturgical traditions of these holy seasons to better appreciate their meaning. He reveals the life-changing mystery of Christ, the invitations of grace all around us. Consider this book a daily retreat, a time to let go of the activity and noise of life and simply listen. It will become a cherished companion for many as they prepare spiritually for Christmas and beyond.
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 16, 2016
For many Christians, Advent and Christmas have simply become just another time of year, albeit more frenetic. It is for them that Mark Villano has written Time to Get Ready. He opens up the scriptures, themes, and liturgical traditions of these holy seasons to better appreciate their meaning. He reveals the life-changing mystery of Christ, the invitations of grace all around us. Consider this book a daily retreat, a time to let go of the activity and noise of life and simply listen. It will become a cherished companion for many as they prepare spiritually for Christmas and beyond.It's been a long time since Advent and Christmas have been just another time of year for me. I cherish Advent's reminder to slow down, be present in the moment and remember the wonder and mystery of the Incarnation of Christ.
This book may be directed at Advent newbies, but it doesn't feel that way to me. It's simple enough to provide my annual reminder about the point of Advent. It's also deep enough that I don't feel as if it is a primer. I especially appreciate the scripture flowing around and through each entry. There s a grounding in daily life but always with the context of Scripture, liturgy and tradition.
I've really enjoyed sampling this book and will be reading it this year for Advent.
January 1, 2016
In Time to Get Ready, Mark Villano has brought together personal reflections passages from scripture, and inspirational writings from the first week of Advent through the feast of the Epiphany. Throughout the book he offers encouragement to read, listen, and pray. We are invited to retrain ourselves to wait with patience, while also acting out of faith by serving others.
This is a richly written volume that surely will bring inspiration to your Advent and Christmas. I highly recommend Time to Get Ready, for personal reflection, retreat days, and group study.
For my complete review visit light to read by.
This is a richly written volume that surely will bring inspiration to your Advent and Christmas. I highly recommend Time to Get Ready, for personal reflection, retreat days, and group study.
For my complete review visit light to read by.
November 15, 2015
Advent is almost here so it is definitely Time to Get Ready for Advent and ultimately Christmas. There are many Advent devotionals available but I think this one stands out among them. It is steeped in scripture and include many quotes and stories to help the reader get more out of their spiritual life during this time of year. I liked that the readings are included at the beginning of each chapter. There is a description that unpacks the biblical message then a scriptural response. At the end of each chapter there is a summary statement that packs a punch.
We are introduced the idea of chronos and kairos to measure time. Chronos is linear time and Kairos is God's time. But we are not just passively waiting but we are called to action. We are called to bring ourself as gift to others during this season of preparation. When the author speaks "God does not want to fit comfortably into our schedule. God wants to be a living presence in our lives, fire in our hearts." This is evidence of God's call in our lives to minister to others. First we have to find our true selves "Come to know yourself better and you will be able to know others better as well. Be happy with who you are and who you aren’t. You will see more clearly the One who gave you your true self."
From the beginning of advent to the epiphany, Time to Get ready will keep you engaged. For instance with quotes like this "An epiphany is defined as a manifestation of Christ. Franciscan author Richard Rohr, in Everything Belongs, gives his own twist to that definition: an epiphany is a place where God is both hidden and revealed. Perfectly hidden and perfectly revealed — like the manger or the cross. Not everyone is looking for those epiphanies, not everyone sees. But those who do will “ gather together.” Their journeys converge in Bethlehem. Their hearts “thrill and rejoice.”
I would recommend this book to you for inspiration during your Advent and Christmas season. The format is easy to follow. The author's voice is conversational and punctuated with scripture throughout the book. Time to Get Ready will help you make the most of your waiting for the Incarnation when God is with us in history, mystery and majesty.
We are introduced the idea of chronos and kairos to measure time. Chronos is linear time and Kairos is God's time. But we are not just passively waiting but we are called to action. We are called to bring ourself as gift to others during this season of preparation. When the author speaks "God does not want to fit comfortably into our schedule. God wants to be a living presence in our lives, fire in our hearts." This is evidence of God's call in our lives to minister to others. First we have to find our true selves "Come to know yourself better and you will be able to know others better as well. Be happy with who you are and who you aren’t. You will see more clearly the One who gave you your true self."
From the beginning of advent to the epiphany, Time to Get ready will keep you engaged. For instance with quotes like this "An epiphany is defined as a manifestation of Christ. Franciscan author Richard Rohr, in Everything Belongs, gives his own twist to that definition: an epiphany is a place where God is both hidden and revealed. Perfectly hidden and perfectly revealed — like the manger or the cross. Not everyone is looking for those epiphanies, not everyone sees. But those who do will “ gather together.” Their journeys converge in Bethlehem. Their hearts “thrill and rejoice.”
I would recommend this book to you for inspiration during your Advent and Christmas season. The format is easy to follow. The author's voice is conversational and punctuated with scripture throughout the book. Time to Get Ready will help you make the most of your waiting for the Incarnation when God is with us in history, mystery and majesty.
November 17, 2015
Looking for a devotional which is accessible and theologically rich? One that explores liturgy, Scripture and the Spiritual life? Here is a good choice for Advent and Christmas and one I plan to spend a little bit of time with.
time-to-get-ready-an-advent-christmas-reader-to-wake-your-soul-6Mark Villano the Director of Mission and Ministry at Marymount California University. In Time to Get Ready: An Advent, Christmas Reader to Wake Your Soul, he combines scriptural insights, liturgical reflections with pop-culture and true-to-life illustrations. Villano guides us as we prepare to enter into the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.
Villano has spent more than a decade in Catholic Campus ministry. He explores spiritual insights in a culturally relevant manner. However this isn’t just ‘a college devotional.’ Villano helps all of us enter into the true meaning of season–the coming of a Savior and the rhythm of God’s grace.
While Villano is deeply steeped in the Catholic tradition, this is a reader that all Christians can read fruitfully. He doesn’t speak of Marian devotion in ways that makes a Protestant like me uncomfortable. Instead he commends Mary’s response (week four of Advent) in a way that invites us to respond with similar openness to Gods movement in our lives. Each daily reading explores the Bible, Christian tradition and its meaning for us. On the whole, I found the entries I read orthodox and inspirational [typically I read every word of books I review, but I made an exception and skimmed this one as I plan to use it through out the holiday seasons].
I look forward to spending time with this devotional through Advent. Available at paracletepress.com, Amazon.com or wherever good books are sold. Preliminary rating: 4 stars.
Note: I received this book from Paraclete Press in exchange for my honest review.
time-to-get-ready-an-advent-christmas-reader-to-wake-your-soul-6Mark Villano the Director of Mission and Ministry at Marymount California University. In Time to Get Ready: An Advent, Christmas Reader to Wake Your Soul, he combines scriptural insights, liturgical reflections with pop-culture and true-to-life illustrations. Villano guides us as we prepare to enter into the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.
Villano has spent more than a decade in Catholic Campus ministry. He explores spiritual insights in a culturally relevant manner. However this isn’t just ‘a college devotional.’ Villano helps all of us enter into the true meaning of season–the coming of a Savior and the rhythm of God’s grace.
While Villano is deeply steeped in the Catholic tradition, this is a reader that all Christians can read fruitfully. He doesn’t speak of Marian devotion in ways that makes a Protestant like me uncomfortable. Instead he commends Mary’s response (week four of Advent) in a way that invites us to respond with similar openness to Gods movement in our lives. Each daily reading explores the Bible, Christian tradition and its meaning for us. On the whole, I found the entries I read orthodox and inspirational [typically I read every word of books I review, but I made an exception and skimmed this one as I plan to use it through out the holiday seasons].
I look forward to spending time with this devotional through Advent. Available at paracletepress.com, Amazon.com or wherever good books are sold. Preliminary rating: 4 stars.
Note: I received this book from Paraclete Press in exchange for my honest review.
January 8, 2016
I loved reading a book that my friend wrote. It's his first published work, and it's pretty good! He takes you on reflections per day for the season of Advent, then Christmas, AND Epiphany!
He engages you with a theme for the week, and breaks it down into seven different points about it, one point per day. I like that he did not limit the book to the specific readings for the year 2015 (Year B in the Catholic world), so that I could pick up this book again for next Advent. At the same time, he does not discuss some of the important feasts of Advent like "Our Lady of Guadalupe," so the book does give a feel of "doing it's own thing," and not acknowledging SOME of the feasts. Thankfully, this book is rich in scripture references and there are other feasts that are pondered on, just not all of them.
I do recommend this book for your personal reflection time in Advent and Christmas. Now only if there were small group questions to go along....
Here's a quote to ponder on, and get a small taste of his writing:
As we pass through another Christmas season, will it simply be "over?" Will it make any difference? Of course, it's meant to, just as all the other facets of the Christian mystery are meant to. Somehow what God has shown us this year in the celebration of Christ's birth gets added to the mystery of our lives. It is meant to illuminate our lives....It is meant to usher in a season of epiphany, an ongoing manifestation of God at work in our here and now.
pg. 161-162
He engages you with a theme for the week, and breaks it down into seven different points about it, one point per day. I like that he did not limit the book to the specific readings for the year 2015 (Year B in the Catholic world), so that I could pick up this book again for next Advent. At the same time, he does not discuss some of the important feasts of Advent like "Our Lady of Guadalupe," so the book does give a feel of "doing it's own thing," and not acknowledging SOME of the feasts. Thankfully, this book is rich in scripture references and there are other feasts that are pondered on, just not all of them.
I do recommend this book for your personal reflection time in Advent and Christmas. Now only if there were small group questions to go along....
Here's a quote to ponder on, and get a small taste of his writing:
As we pass through another Christmas season, will it simply be "over?" Will it make any difference? Of course, it's meant to, just as all the other facets of the Christian mystery are meant to. Somehow what God has shown us this year in the celebration of Christ's birth gets added to the mystery of our lives. It is meant to illuminate our lives....It is meant to usher in a season of epiphany, an ongoing manifestation of God at work in our here and now.
pg. 161-162
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews