ADVENT READING TO LIGHT YOUR WAY
A popular Catholic tradition involves designating each of the four weeks of Advent with a particular theme: love, hope, joy, peace. As we light the candles on the Advent wreath or pray together each day, these themes can help to focus our hearts and minds as we make our way to Christmas and the birth of Jesus.
Here are some book suggestions on these four themes to enrich your Advent journey – including some for kids!
Love
Essential Teachings on Love, by Richard Rohr: The teachings gathered here illuminate the author’s lifelong journey of growing in love – how we love God by loving others, how we learn to love ourselves, and how we ultimately seek and find love in everything.
Claiming God’s Love: Drawing on the Wisdom of Henri Nouwen, by Sylvain Lavoie OMI: With the help of stories, reflections and scripture, Lavoie gently offers insights into how to journey into self-awareness and step into greater self-love.
Great Love in Little Ways: Reflections on the Power of Kindness, by Gunilla Norris: Learn to cultivate kindness in all aspects of your daily life – such as upon waking to the sunshine, through your work and daily bread, and when offering a safe space to a friend.
For kids:
I Love, by Karissa Jekel: This illustrated book poetically reminds children of the many ways you love them.
Hope
Hanging onto Hope: Reflections and Prayers for Finding “Good” in an Imperfect World, by Melannie Svoboda, SND: The author helps us open our hearts to hope, even in the darkest of times, exploring the relationships between hope and faith, love, courage, prayer, pain and sorrow.
Pocket Book of Hope: Words of Inspiration: A dozen Catholic writers from different walks of life reflect on where they find hope in their work and in their lives, despite the many challenges and crises that surround us.
Faith, Love and Loss: Sustaining Hope amid Memory Loss and the Storms of Life, by Harry and Jennifer McAvoy: The authors offer hope and encouragement in the face of suffering, including valuable insights shared by doctors, counsellors and clergy.
For kids:
I Hope, by Anne Louise Mahoney: Explores a child’s longing for a world where everyone has what they need and people care for the Earth that God created.
Joy
Doorways into Hope and Joy at Advent and Christmas, by Michael McGirr: These prayers are a little breather. A rest from the hype. A chance to just be ourselves for a moment, just as we are, with the God who wants to keep things simple.
The Joy of Keeping the Faith: Thriving in the Church after RCIA, by Christine Way Skinner: This thoughtful book, written by a seasoned pastoral associate with warmth and humour, will help any Catholic who is seeking a richer faith life to (re)connect with parish life and the larger Christian tradition.
The Joy of Discipleship, by Pope Francis: A fresh perspective on why Christian disciples should be joyful in the first place and how that joy might manifest itself in our daily lives.
For kids:
This Little Light of Mine: A Collection of Joyful Songs, illustrated by Dubravka Kolanovic: Includes “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “The Animals Went in Two by Two” and many more!
Peace
Find Peace in Advent! 4 Weeks to Worrying Less at Christmas, by Gary Zimak: This practical, scripture-based approach to Advent helps us make room for Jesus in our busy, fast-paced lives.
Healing the Soul: Finding Peace and Consolation When Life Hurts, by Deacon Eddie Ensley: The prayer experiences shared here can feed our deeper selves with affirmations of God’s love so we can heal and be made whole again.
The Beatitudes: Eight Steps to Inner Peace and Happiness, by Eugene Aucoin: This hopeful and faith-filled book outlines Christ’s eight-step recipe for inner peace and joy through a new look at the ingredients needed.
For kids:
Peace: The Prayer of St. Francis, illustrated by Anna Göbel: A vivid and colourful portrayal of a timeless and beloved prayer.
May your Advent advent-ures be filled with love, hope, joy and peace!
Novalis staff
