Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Mary, Journal

by Mark Toups, Mark Toups

You don’t change your life for an idea. You change your life for a person. This Advent, don’t get caught up in the busyness. Don’t get lost in the anxiety of preparing for a day. Joyfully anticipate the coming of the person of Jesus through an encounter with his Most Blessed Mother. Imagine having an Advent that is more peaceful, more joyful, and more meaningful than ever before. The Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Mary Journal not only lets you walk beside Mary during the first Advent, but also lets you get to know her in a way you haven’t before. Rejoice! offers more than insights and information about Mary’s life―it offers an opportunity for you to encounter Mary in the quiet of your heart. Each day, in a few short pages, Fr. Toups provides you with aids to help guide your A word - Focus on a single word each day to draw out the details, the specifics of who Our Lady is. A reflection - Learn more about Mary, the culture in which she was raised, and the world in which she lived. A Psalm - Each day, you’re given a Psalm to pray (just as Mary herself would have prayed) to help you enter into prayer. A reading - In reading Scripture, you find the Word of God, bringing you closer to Mary, who carried the Word in her body. A prompt - Space is provided each day to journal. Record how the Lord is speaking to you this Advent. paperback, 102 pages, full-color original artwork, matte lamination cover

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2021

Reviews

[Jeff Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new book of Advent meditations by Fr. Mark Toups and published by Ascension Press is worth considering for use this Advent or in the future.

Sure I know Advent has already started and that I am late with a timely review.

The book starts with an introduction in how to use these meditations along with a link to RejoiceProgram.com where you can sign up to get links for weekly videos that supplement the material.

This follows the familiar format for books of this type. A page and a half of the actual meditations along with a couple of suggested scriptural readings. Capped off with a short prayerful summary.

I found the meditations to be worthwhile for both as a reflection for the day in Advent along with being a springboard to some further mental prayer. The scriptural suggestions are not just tagged on, but appropriate to the meditation. From the first meditation on, I found these to be focused and worth spending time on. Useful either as a short daily reflection or as a springboard to go farther.

I especially like the aesthetic layout of the book. The choice of colors, fonts, overall design, and some illustrations made reading this book pleasurable.

[Leslie Moellering · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay reflections, but a bit shallow.

[Jenessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was by far the best Advent program I have ever participated in. I enjoyed that it was simple each day, but in its simplicity drew me closer and closer to God. I have been dealing with a lot of things this season and each day seemed to speak directly to me and what I was dealing with.

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Updated...12-27-2023: This Ascension Press publication by Fr. Mark has become a fixture in my yearly Advent meditation books.] I discovered "Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Mary" by googling new Advent Meditations and used it during this year's Advent journey. I highly recommend Father Mark Toups' journal of prayers, meditations and scripture references, an Ascension Press publication.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a long time to get through this. The Gospel readings were great and the commentary on them was interesting. I learned a bunch of stuff about historical places and background to certain events. However, the Psalm readings seemed a bit random for the topics and the journaling didn’t help me at all. If anything, it hindered me since I had a hard time sitting down to do it (as opposed to if it was just reading, I could do it on the go). I suppose it’s my fault for not just using it how I wanted, but I wanted to try something new. This just didn’t click with me all that well.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good Advent meditation series - one of the best in terms of narrative structure. I just wish Fr. Toups had drawn from historical references rather than just 'imagining' scenes from the Gospel that may or may not be purely speculative. Overall though, recommended!

[Jill Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to get ready for Christmas. Each day included a reading with suggested meditations. This gave me the opportunity to contemplate what Mary went through as she steadied herself for the birth of Christ.

[Talea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing reflections for personal prayer during the Advent season. I got finished late, but it was still relevant both as a study as well as a personal growth tool. I highly recommend the videos that go with it.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent guide for prayer and made this Advent a true preparation for the joy of Christmas.

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was a good book to read during the advent season.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to prepare for Advent. Journaling and Bible reading add to the depth.

[Stephen Carrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best advent devotional I have ever done. Very tangible reflections. I will be doing another one of Fr. Mark Toups devotions for advent next year.

[Ania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful meditations for advent.

[Denise Kruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, effective way to spend the Advent season meaningfully with reflection, psalms, readings. Very well done.

[Gina Ulicny · Rating 5 out of 5]

5. OUTSTANDING.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic meditation book. Worth doing, but the biblical reeadings didn’t always aid my meditation

[Joann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this journal as well as discussions with my Bible Study Group.