Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton – Arranged for use on every day of the Advent and Christmas seasons, these reflections consist of a scriptural quotation paired with a thought from the writings of Thomas Merton.  A prayer for the day concludes each entry, centering the reader on the themes of the season, the Incarnation, anticipation, giving, and others. 

Excerpt:  “Lord Jesus, assuage our blindness and activate our hearts during this Advent, so that we may find your presence hidden in ourselves.  May we unveil the mystery of Christ-with-us and work toward the true restoration of the whole world in your image.”

Published by:  Liguori Publications, 2002

ISBN: 0-7648-0843-5

A Child in Winter: Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany with Caryll Houselander, edited, with scripture selections and comments by Thomas Hoffman – Carol Houselander, laywoman, mystic, and poet, writes these reflections from her rich spiritual imagination, reminding all that Advent is not a time of shallow platitudes, but rather, “the Advent of our salvation – our invitation to prepare, to welcome, and to honor God who grows in our midst and the Spirit who is poured out on all flesh.”  Arranged in a Scripture-reflection-prayer format, this collection of devotionals emphasizes the communal spirit of the Advent season and the deep mystery of the Christmas miracle. 

Excerpt:  “Standing at the threshold of another Advent, we hear the invitation of Christ: ‘Come away to a deserted place and rest a while.’ And so we begin our season of growth and expectation.”

                                                Published by:  Sheed &Ward, 2000  ISBN:  1-58051-085-X

Christmastide: Prayers for Advent through Epiphany Through The Divine Hour, by Phyllis Tickle – Beginning with the first day of Advent and moving through to the Epiphany on January 6th, this book provides the daily prayers that give introduction to the tradition of praying the hours.  As with her larger volume, The Divine Hours:  Prayers for Autumn and Winter, Phyllis Tickle fills each prayer with psalms, Scripture passages, and hymns of praise and worship.  Dedicated to the coming of Christ, this program invigorates the Advent season with worship and praise. 

Published by:  Doubleday Press, 2003

ISBN:  0-385-51026-8

Watch for the Light:  Readings for Advent and Christmas, readings by various authors.  Offering a chorus of voices, from Thomas Aquinas to Meister Eckhart, from Sylvia Plath to John Howard Yoder, this anthology contains within it a spiritually nourishing selection for every day from the beginning of Advent to Epiphany.  Rich with insight and challenge, these selections seek to shed wisdom and illuminate the immense beauty of this season of waiting. 

Excerpt:  “The love that descended to Bethlehem is not the easy sympathy of an avuncular God, but a burning fire whose light chases away every shadow, floods every corner, and turns midnight into noon.”

Published by:  Plough, 2001  ISBN:  1-57075-541-8

Advent and Christmas; Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen – Through quotes and reflection, Nouwen shares with readers his journey of waiting and seeking the Lord.  Designed for daily use during the Advent season, each selection concludes quotation and Scripture with prayer and a suggested activity for applying the messages to one’s daily life. 

Excerpt:  “Keep your eyes on Him, who becomes poor with the poor, weak with the weak.  He is the source of all peace.”

Published by:  Liguori Publications, 2004

ISBN:  0-7648-1218-1