Book Review: Embracing Advent by Jen Ludwig

About the Book:

Do you look forward to Christmas with eager anticipation… but then the season flies by in a flash?

Do you intend to be present and focused… only to find yourself pulled every direction as you rush to holiday parties, decorate the house, and spend hours searching for the perfect gifts?

Do you long for a deeper, more meaningful celebration… yet feel like you’re missing something?

This year, you are invited to spend the days leading up to Christmas rediscovering the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love that God extends to all of us.

Embracing Advent includes four weeks of short daily readings to encourage you to

• Hold on to HOPE
• Find PEACE
• Choose JOY
• LOVE and Be Loved

Take a few minutes each day to step away from the holiday chaos and prepare your body, soul, and mind to whole-heartedly experience Christmas this year!

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My Thoughts:

Prior to five or so years ago, I had no experience with Advent. My current church introduced me to the four focus topics, the readings, and lighting the candles. Then I read Embracing Advent: Rediscovering Christmas in the Chaos by Jen Ludwig and gained more understanding of the Advent season. This book guides with information and offers practical living suggestions for focusing on hope, peace, joy, and love during the busyness of the American Christmas season.

Embracing Advent is divided into four chapters, one for each week of Advent. My favorite chapter was the first one: Hold on to HOPE. The emphasis of intentionally, desperately holding on to hope resonated with me. Practical applications included recalling past events, believing God’s promises, and finding encouragement in a church community.

The daily readings in Embracing Advent are short, but the content lends itself reflection. The more I meditated on each reading, the more I gleaned from it. I liked that Jen Ludwig does not give a list of do this and avoid that. Rather, the reader is encouraged to prioritize the important parts of the season according to personal needs and preferences. She celebrates the different giftings while allowing space for rest. The approach felt well-balanced.

Reading through Embracing Advent: Rediscovering Christmas in the Chaos by Jen Ludwig prepped me for the upcoming Christmas season, and I look forward to revisiting this devotional at the beginning of Advent.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.