Customer Reviews

The Essential Advent and Christmas Handbook: A Daily Companion (Essential (Liguori))

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The editors of this 'handbook' simply cut-and-paste a hodgepodge of 'prayers,' a list of saints' days that fall within the advent season, and the daily Scripture readings from the missal to come up with their "essential" "daily companion" handbook. There is *nothing* "essential" about this book.

1. In the section titled, "Prayers Appropriate for Advent," one gets some new-agey "Prayer for Healing and Transformation," which isn't a prayer at all, but God, I suppose, talking to the sinner (repentant sinner or not, the prayer doesn't say):

"My love is like a wave breaking on the shore of eternity, forever washing over your weakness and wounds. My mercy endures forever. Every time you fail, I will forgive and heal you.... I release my power in your life now, and you will continue to grow in the depths and heights of my love." (pg. 91)

2. Anywhere a Catholic expects to find prayers once common to all Catholics, like the Confiteor, they have been helpfully labeled as "Traditional" prayers, but these are few and far between the prayers that read like the one above or like the lovely, comfy-feely "Prayer Before Confession":

"Lord Jesus, show me where I am failing to love your heavenly Father. Show me where I am failing to love you.... Show me where I am failing to love the Holy Spirit.... Show me where I am failing to love myself as you love me. ...." (pg. 90).

3. The section designated as "Advent Essays: The Church Waits" runs a mere six and a half pages (out of the 272-page booklet), actually containing four miniature essays on fear, the poor, light, and prophecy. The editors aren't expecting heavy readers to latch on to their "essential" handbook, I suppose.

4. The advent wreath--a central component to the season, maybe?--is blessed on pg. 56, and all four candles lit on pgs. 57-9, with two or three lines of "prayer" and reflective questions accompanying each. The prayers and questions are the usual nonsensical claptrap--"Are we aware of the wonder of 'self,' the gift bestowed upon us by our Creator?" (pg. 58)

5. The wreath-blessing falls under the section, "Traditional Practices of Advent," which is followed by short, call-and-respond "Advent Family Prayers" to be said every day of the season, and here is a typical one such prayer, in totum:

"Reader: Jesus, be our light.
All: Jesus, be our light.
Reader: Jesus, as a little baby, you needed the care and protection of your parents. We also need the care and protection of our parents and caregivers. Touch them, Lord, so that they may love us even more.
All: Jesus, be our light.
Reader: Amen." (pg. 73)

What is someone supposed to do with and get out of prayers like that, my dear Redemptorist Fathers? (They wrote this "essential handbook.")

I would suggest you do what I did with prayers like that: Toss them in the garbage, because the rest of the book reads the same...

The introduction to this 2000 publication states that it has attempted to collect in one volume all the prayers, practices, and customs that may be needed through the Advent and Christmas seasons.

You are given a choice of prayers and devotions that are traditional, as well as modern, contemporary expressions.

The author notes that Advent is considered the beginning of the liturgical year, and may begin as early as November 27 (twenty-eight days of preparation), or as late as December 3 (twenty-one days). (Pg. 19)

He suggests (Pg. 85) that the birth of the Christ Child shows us that nothing is impossible, and that if there ever is a time to believe in miracles, Advent season is that time. (Pg. 106)

He also notes that families often spend the days before Christmas not quietly preparing for the coming of the Lord, but in a frantic shopping and decorating pace. Still, he hopes that the spiritual observation of Advent will give one a power that will not be lost when the Christmas tree is taken down until next year." (Pg. 173)

He also calls on us all to remember and share with those who feel alone and unloved during the season (Pg. 175-176).