Preparing for Christmas: Daily Meditations for Advent

Each day had well thought out and though provoking reflections written by Fr Rohr. This was my first book I read by Fr. Rohr and I definitely liked it enough to look into more by him in the future. Each daily reflection was short enough to be able to fit it into the day without much trouble, but was thought provoking enough to make reading it worth while. Definitely a good book to read in the month of December. Also nice is that it was a bit of a different take on Advent than what I was expecting. You won't get the same Christmas story that you probably already know by reading this book. Each day offers a few verses to look up if you want to, a partial verse written out in the book, a 2-3 page reflection by Fr. Rohr and a 1-2 sentence thought provoking question at the end of it all. I recommend.

My favorite Advent prayer book. Even though it’s several years old, I reread it every year. Just love Fr Rohr’s reflections. Buy it now, no matter what time of year it is, and remember to pull it out every year first Sunday of Advent. Even if you don’t celebrate advent season liturgicallly, it’s still a great prayer book leading up to Christmas. Thank you Fr Rohr for expanding my heart.

This book was an excellent balance of reflective self examination and a reminder of the peace, joy, and love of Christmas. It’s set up from Sunday Advent 1 through the season, so it’s easy to follow, no matter on which day of the week 𝐂hristmas falls. Highly recommend!

This review is for the Kindle version. I had heard of Rohr, but this is my first introduction to his writing. The daily meditations are interesting while being short enough for a nice 15-minute respite of the day for Advent. The Bible verses are arranged rather strangely - Year 1, Year 2, Year 3. There are four weeks of meditations titled "First Sunday of Advent", "Monday of the First Week of Advent", etc., then a series of meditations that being on December 17. There is no explanation of how to use the devotional. I figured that the idea is to start at the beginning and continue to December 16, then jump to the December 17 entry. I used the devotional for Advent 2017 so I skipped an entire week of meditations. The meditations don't necessarily focus on Advent until the Dec. 17 sequence which is very focused. If you're looking for a devotional that is 100% Christmas you may not like this. But Rohr is an excellent Franscian theologian, and you will be enriched by this.

Not every entry was a five star for me this first time through, but I can imagine that another Advent the same entry could be, while ones that were just right, given where I am now, might not shine as brightly when I am in a different place. The entries are a easily manageable length, with plenty of additional scriptural reading to expand the time if you have it, and they are clearly written. The range of topics covers the traditional Advent themes from both active and contemplative, and both personal and global perspectives. This is classic Richard Rohr.

I loved this little book as I prepared for Advent. While short, the readings and prompts were significant and thoughtful. If you give space to contemplate while doing these readings, they have the ability to bring about deep transformation in preparing for Christmas. I plan to use this book each year.

I chose this book to have a daily reading for Advent. I had read Rohr's Falling Upward so when I discovered this book for the season, it was an easy decision to choose it. I was not disappointed. The words carry messages that could easily be read anytime of the year for inspiration, direction and hope. I anticipate that I will read it again, along with other books by Richard Rohr.

Easy to read. Short, concise daily readings. Perfect for the busy season with Richard Rhor at his best leading us gently and prayerfully to Christmas. Read each morning and, because of the length and simplicity of each readying, I had enough to chew on the rest of the day. It was nice to have the Daily Scripture reading right there. Some days I had to skip Scripture, but still felt "fed". Some other readings I've done in the past have been so complex I'd spend part of the day just trying to figure out the message of that day. Not so with this book.

Ce petit livre est magnifique. J'adore les réfléctions de Richard Rohr. L'anglais est très accessible et les textes sont courts. Le style d'écriture nous fait méditer un peu et j'apprécie le fait qu'il fait des comparaisons avec le bible et la signification dans notre monde d'aujourd'hui, aussi privé que public. Après chaque chapitre, il nous invite à penser à ce que le texte qu'il a écrit nous dit. Sympa et un beau cadeau aussi.

This is going to be more yearly ritual leading up to Christmas. I am not "religious" and loved the teachings, reflections and meditations in this book.

By Richard Rohr, gift for Christmas.

My wife and I have read numerous books by Rohr and have been taken with the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy. In a time when too many Christians teach/preach a God of punishment and how ‘others’ must change their lives, Rohr brings home the message that Advent of Christ remains within us. We are the ones who must move towards Christ in our daily lives and actions. We are the good news—if we choose to live it.

A good thoughtful resource for Advent....thank you Richard Rohr