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Email a FriendPosted by Patricia on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 11:42 AM (EDT):
Recommended by a dear friend: “Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence” by Fr. Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure & St. Claude de la Colombiere
What's on Your Advent Bookshelf?
Do you have family favorites to recommend?
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Reviews on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 10:00 AM
I know I’m jumping the gun a bit, posting about Advent here the day before Thanksgiving, but it’s for a good cause. One of our readers kindly wrote me and inquired about favorite Advent books that families can share together.
I wanted to share with you one of our family’s favorites, Jotham’s Journey: A Storybook for Advent
What are some of your favorite books to share during the Advent season? I would love to hear your recommendations for children’s books, as well as the devotional books you enjoy reading yourself as the season unfolds. Please be sure to include titles and names of authors, so that we can all enjoy these books together. Also, please remember that when you purchase books through our Faith & Family Amazon link, you support this apostolate.
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Posted by Patricia on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 1:35 PM (EDT):
Here’s a little additional info. on the spiritual gem, “Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence”:
This small book was written by a well-known French religious writer of the 17th century, Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure (1588-1657), & is an extract from his great work entitled “The Knowledge and Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ”, which was the constant companion during life of the saintly Curé of Ars. To them has been added a further extract from the writings of St. Claude de la Colombiére (1641-1682).
Posted by Lisa Hendey on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 12:59 PM (EDT):
Thanks Patricia - I will look that one up!
Posted by Lisa Hendey on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 2:14 PM (EDT):
We also all need to take a look at http://circlepress.org/shop/index.php?p=product&id=76&parent=0 where there is a wonderful 3 book Christmas set from our wonderful publisher, Circle Press. I’ve not had the pleasure of previewing these, but I’m certain they are wonderful. Anyone who has seen them, please share!
Posted by Joann on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 6:41 PM (EDT):
We own two of those books. Five Minutes with the Child Jesus is wonderful! It’s a good story of “you can do anything” because Christ is by your side and He will lead you where you need to be…trust Him. Mountain Miracle is an “I didn’t know Jesus was right by me” story..among other things. We love them both. Perhaps I’ll order the new one for this year. Very heartwarming.
Posted by Maria on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 3:09 PM (EDT):
I love Advent and now that my children are in their teens I so miss all of the activities we did to teach them about the season.
The quick list of their favorite books: “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey”, The Star of Melvin…a personal favorite, and of course “Merry Christmas, Strega Nona”. And many more…!
As for adults I highly, highly recommend “In Conversation with God: Daily Meditations Vol. 1 Advent and Christmastide” by Francis Fernandez. And for you young mothers, “Advent, Christmas and Epiphany in the Domestic Church” by Catherine and Peter Fournier. A holy and happy Advent to all!
Posted by MR on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 4:48 PM (EDT):
Our director of adult faith formation just sent out a link to the USCCB page on advent and Christmas: http://www.usccb.org/advent/resources.shtml. Looks like lots of good resources, including a podcast of Lessons and Carols.
Also, Amy Welborn posted on her blog that she’s making a book of advent reflections she wrote with her late husband available for free download: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6068. Also looks great!
Posted by Lori Richmond on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 4:50 PM (EDT):
http://family-centered.com/?cat=10
Be sure to check out these Inos Biffi books at Family Centered Press.
Posted by Charlotte (Matilda) on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 5:36 PM (EDT):
For the family: A Gift from St. Nicholas by Cristine Bolley is a long time fav. A new one we just discovered last year is Geraldine McCaughrean’s Father and Son. Also An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco.
I love seeing what everyone is reading!!
What we’re doing:
For my husband and me… “Advent and Christmas Wisdom” by GK Chesterton.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764816284/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
For our little one…“Advent Storybook: by Antonie Schnieder
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764816284/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
Posted by Therese on Friday, Nov 27, 2009 11:02 AM (EDT):
I am reading Jotham’s Journey to my 4th fradwe class this year. This is the first year I have donethis, as I tought K before. Any suggestions on how to fit it all in within the 3 weeks before school lets out?
Posted by Lisa Hendey on Friday, Nov 27, 2009 11:07 AM (EDT):
Therese - I believe she doubled up on some of the days, and then did a marathon reading day at the end, right before the kids were let out. You could even have a “PJ” day a few days before Christmas vacation and wind up then. Our kids always loved those! Have fun!
Posted by Mary Beth on Friday, Nov 27, 2009 2:38 PM (EDT):
In addition to “Jotham’s Journey,” we also have “Tabitha’s Travels” and Bartholomew’s Passage” by the same author, Arnold Ytreeide. We cycle between the three books over three years. The books intertwine with each other and it is neat to see the adventures and perspectives of the three children in the stories.
We read one chapter each night after supper and the lighting of our Advent wreath. It has become a tradition that the whole family looks forward to! This year it’s Bartholomew’s turn. I can’t wait to get started!
Posted by Leticia Velasquez on Monday, Nov 30, 2009 11:48 AM (EDT):
Each year, I read Fr Benedict Groeschel’s “Behold He Comes” which takes you from Advent though Epiphany with short but deep meditations, poetry and Scripture quotes. It always keeps me grounded on the quiet of the manger when the world gets noisy.
Posted by beachlover on Wednesday, Dec 2, 2009 6:39 PM (EDT):
Thanks so much everyone! This is exactly what I was looking for. I have such cozy memories of pulling out wonderful books all advent when I was a kid (and teenager!). Unfortunately, so many of those, and these books above, are out of print. My favorites are Leo Buscaglia’s Seven Stories of Christmas Love. This is a chapter book, and kids through adults love it. Each chapter is a new story, you can read them aloud to kids as well. My other favorite is The Shoemaker’s Dream. A picture book, but a classic story with gorgeous artwork. Amazon sells it new for $245! Yikes! Please keep the recommendations coming!!
Posted by Beth on Friday, Dec 4, 2009 5:55 PM (EDT):
We are reading this, Jotham’s Journey: A Storybook for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide, as well. I am reading it at dinner after our daily advent prayers with the wreath. I have to remind them to eat because they are so into the story they just sit there intenly listening staring off into space. I was worried some parts might be a little to intense for my little ones, but not yet.
Mary Beth’s idea of rotating the books is awesome. I am going to do that now. I am so excited.
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