From Holidays to Holy Days: A Benedictine Walk through Advent

by Albert Holtz O.S.B.

An invitation to see Advent and Christmas through the eyes of a Benedictine monk to find the holy and peace in the hustle and bustle of the season. Take a Benedictine walk through the season of Advent with Benedictine monk Albert Holtz. Join him on his daily outings as he heads out of his abbey and through the colorful, noisy streets of Downtown Newark, New Jersey. In these once-a-day meditations, Father Albert points out the often-unnoticed connections between our secular celebration of the holidays and the deeper, spiritual meaning of the holy seasons of Advent and Christmas. In a string of colored lights, a crowd of shoppers, or the window of a toy shore, readers will uncover the traditional advent themes of watchful waiting, repentance, and selfless love. In the bustling sidewalks and busy malls, readers will learn to see Isaiah, John the Baptist, and even Jesus himself, all speaking their ancient messages of peace, hope and good will.

Genres: Christmas

125 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've used this book twice for daily Advent meditations, and I love it. The author, a Benedectine monk, provides beautiful meditations based on his daily walks through Newark, NJ. His ability to find deep spiritual meaning in the hustle and bustle of a large American city during the holiday season is amazing. And for someone like me who has trouble sticking to a discipline of daily prayer, this book is a wonderful tool for staying motivated and inspired.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Advent Meditation Godsend!

I do not know how long ago I was first aquatinted with the walks and thoughts of Father Holtz, but he has now become an annual Christmas staple in our home. I thoroughly enjoy reading and re-reading these daily passages each Advent season and this year (2019), I chose this study for my Sunday School class. I cannot encourage this book enough to everyone who wants to find the TRUE meaning of Christmas!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. Fr. Al impressively deconstructs familiar images to reinvision our physical reality as a spiritual world. He reminds us that the foremost concern of our lives resides in our hearts, the setting of our intentions, and the reading of others' intentions in love. I plan to read his Lenten book later this year.

[Ryan Motter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best used in a devotional context, this casual (and literal) walk through Advent is ideal for anyone wanting to take the journey through the season alongside St Benedict and with an eye towards intentionally seeing the everyday pieces of the Christmas season with a holy eye.

[Kimberly Lamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and the way it shaped this advent season for me....a true blessing and very much worth the read!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some things I did not agree with. Wish it would have stressed keeping Advent and Christmas separate. Overall it made me thoughtful and I like the style it was written in. I will re-read it next Advent and do recommend it.

[Kitty Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this devotional that begins with the season of Advent and walks the reader up to the new year through the streets of Newark, NJ. of all places.

[Sharon Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book to use for Advent preparation. This Benedictine Monk walks through Newark NJ and gives you his reflections as he sees Christmas prepartions appear. He is positive, fresh and intreging.

A Wreath on the door brings a entry about how wreaths were used by atheletes in the ancient world as a sign of victory. That the exertion put out in a race and the victory sign of a wreath reflects back on what we are doing in Advent preparing for the coming of Christ in the world. He goes on to talk about wreaths in a way that has transformed the way I look at a wreath.

As a walker, I enjoyed his walks and understand the wondering mind as he walks. It was a delightful book for someone who has difficutly following day by day books- mostly because the author is so entertaining in his understanding of Advent preparations.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Advent. It is my favorite part of the liturgical year. As I prepared for Advent this year, I wanted a new devotional. I used Albert Holtz's devotional for Lent last year (and it was spectacular!), so it was a no-brainer to get this book. While I preferred the Lenten devotional, each passage was a good length for a daily reading, contained both a scriptural reference and a relevant section from a church father (mostly St.Benedict). Each one was thought-provoking...just what was needed in the days leading up to Christmas. I hope that Brother Holtz continues to write more of these devotionals.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many books (and many sermons) about Advent delight in describing the unholy, hectic, materialistic season of secular pre-Christmas and contrasting it with the quiet, reserved, anticipatory season between Christ the King and the Feast of the Incarnation. Father Albert Holtz, a Roman Catholic Benedictine, chooses instead, in his daily meditations for Advent, to find, in the secular observance of pre-Christmas, signs and symbols which resonate with the themes of Adventide. Each brief meditatio... (show more)

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I know Advent and Christmas are over but on some levels I'm glad I waited to finish this book because the last few "days" in it are pretty good. If you're interested in spirituality….and it doesn't have to be a particular flavor of spirituality….this book is really good. The Benedictine's "get it".