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The Peace of Christmas: Quiet Reflections from Pope Francis
Even the most faithful users of Advent devotionals can find themselves forgetting the readings for Christmas and the days after as routines change with the holiday break. The wonder of the Christmas event itself can get lost in the celebration. The Peace of Christmas offers an opportunity to reflect with Pope Francis on the many moods and challenges of one of the central realities of our faith: Our God became one of us, came to dwell in our midst, and began life as we all do, as a tiny baby, needy and vulnerable and dependent on the people around him for his very survival.
Through the pope’s insights and reflections, you will be comforted and challenged, enlightened and reassured. He knows that Christmas is many things to many people, often changing with the times and circumstances, with your experiences in the months since last Christmas. Just as God chose to become one of us, so our lives are shaped and changed by the world around us.
While the book is divided into daily reflections, it’s more a book for browsing than marching through day by day. Keep it someplace handy, pick it up when you have a few minutes of quiet. Turn to its pages when you feel frustrated with the hectic pace of preparations or when you feel suddenly struck by the wonder and beauty of this season. Let the words of Scripture and the words of Pope Francis move you to a new appreciation of the incarnation.
Through the pope’s insights and reflections, you will be comforted and challenged, enlightened and reassured. He knows that Christmas is many things to many people, often changing with the times and circumstances, with your experiences in the months since last Christmas. Just as God chose to become one of us, so our lives are shaped and changed by the world around us.
While the book is divided into daily reflections, it’s more a book for browsing than marching through day by day. Keep it someplace handy, pick it up when you have a few minutes of quiet. Turn to its pages when you feel frustrated with the hectic pace of preparations or when you feel suddenly struck by the wonder and beauty of this season. Let the words of Scripture and the words of Pope Francis move you to a new appreciation of the incarnation.
- GenresChristmas
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2017
46 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 13, 2018
Although I am not a Roman Catholic I appreciate the wisdom of the current Pope and the thoughts of Ms Houdek. I look forward to reading these reflections for Christmas each year.
This book can easily be appreciated by all Christians. Words from the Pope, a reflection on those words by Diane Houdek and then a simple Christmas gift for yourself and/or others.
If you want a Scripture led Advent read this is probably not for you, although you would gain much from reading this volume alongside. The readings would only take a couple of minutes.
I was given this book by NetGalley and the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
This book can easily be appreciated by all Christians. Words from the Pope, a reflection on those words by Diane Houdek and then a simple Christmas gift for yourself and/or others.
If you want a Scripture led Advent read this is probably not for you, although you would gain much from reading this volume alongside. The readings would only take a couple of minutes.
I was given this book by NetGalley and the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
November 16, 2017
The author approaches this devotional as a gradual movement towards Christmas, providing about 40 reflections for the days of Advent preparation and following through with meditations for the Solemnity of Mary, New Years and the journey of the Magi as well. Each entry features a quiet reflection from Pope Francis followed by the author's personal sentiments and memories and ending with a gift for the day. The daily gifts are calls to action for a mixture of both simple and stretching activities such as recalling Christmas memories, contemplating changes, and performing charitable works in the community. The convenient size of the book makes it easy to take along to read wherever and whenever you like. The meditations are not numbered or dated so you can start at any time during the Christmas season. It is perfect for individual reflection or as a guide to family discussion. This would make a great book for friends and family to be gifted as the season of Advent begins. "God always surprises us...but he asks us to let ourselves be surprised by his love..." (p.4) ~ Pope Francis
December 4, 2017
The Peace of Christmas: Quiet Reflections with Pope Francis by Diane M. Houdek is an Advent devotional that “offers an opportunity to reflect with Pope Francis on the many moods and challenges of one of the central realities of our faith: Our God became one of us, came to dwell in our midst, and began life as we all do, as a tiny baby, needy and vulnerable and dependent on the people around him for his very survival.” Each short chapter begins with “A Quiet Reflection from Pope Francis,” where a few of his words on the season are shared. Then in “A Christmas Reality” the author expands upon Pope Francis's thoughts with her own insights. Each chapter ends with “Your Christmas Gift Today” where an action step is given for you to take to help you embrace the Advent season. I found this book to be a comfort. It helped me to look beyond the societal stress of Christmas and embrace its true meanings of peace and joy.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
December 20, 2017
The Peace of Christmas: Quiet Reflections with Pope Francis is a fine devotional for Christmas. Each devotion starts with a reflection from Pope Francis followed by a "Christmas Reality" where Ms. Houdek expands a bit on the reflection and talks about how it applies to her life and, by extension, ours. At the end of each is a "Christmas Gift," which could be something like get rid of something on your to-do list in order to spend an hour with God, or visit a variety of nativities and notice the differences.
I'm not Catholic, but you don't have to be to appreciate the Pope's words. I think most Christians will find something meaningful here. I do with the piece from his writings/speeches was longer. Houdek's comments were fine, but I picked up the book to read the Pope's reflections, not hers. Most of the "gifts" are thought-provoking, asking us to look honestly at our lives, our values and our responses to the Christmas story.
I'm not Catholic, but you don't have to be to appreciate the Pope's words. I think most Christians will find something meaningful here. I do with the piece from his writings/speeches was longer. Houdek's comments were fine, but I picked up the book to read the Pope's reflections, not hers. Most of the "gifts" are thought-provoking, asking us to look honestly at our lives, our values and our responses to the Christmas story.
December 12, 2017
Diane M. Houdek uses some reflections from the Pope to reflect on the Advent season. Houdek's book begins with Thanksgiving and ends with Epiphany. Each of the daily readings follows a simple pattern. After a reading from Pope Francis (though there is no citation from where the remarks come from), there is a reflection by the author under the heading, "A Christmas Reality." In this section, the author shares her own experiences as she reflects on the Christmas story.
The frame for these devotionals is welcoming and easy to use. It invites, as the subtitle suggests, quiet reflections on one's own spiritual life during the season of Advent.
The frame for these devotionals is welcoming and easy to use. It invites, as the subtitle suggests, quiet reflections on one's own spiritual life during the season of Advent.
January 22, 2023
The PEACE OF CHRISTMAS offers an opportunity to reflect on the sanctity of Advent and Christmas. In our hurried, materialistic life, Diane Houdek provides a daily: Quiet Reflection from Pope Francis; a personal modern day Christmas reality; and a a daily Christmas "Gift" or offering to make each day meaningful. This is a fresh, beneficial devotional for Advent and Christmas.
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February 29, 2020Quiet Reflection from Pope Francis
Enjoyed reading this book! Love the inspiration that I received for preparing me for anything that I have concerns .
Enjoyed reading this book! Love the inspiration that I received for preparing me for anything that I have concerns .
December 31, 2020
Nothing I can say its Pope Francis talking about Christmas. Pure joy
January 17, 2022
A great Advent devotional, that I read after Christmas. Pope Francis has a way of bringing the nativity story into today’s terms
April 21, 2018
Lovely holiday devotional that’s could be read year round. Enjoying the writing and tips on how to bring more of the Holy Spirit into everything we do
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews