Customer Reviews

Preparing My Heart for Advent

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
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Christmas for me just comes rolling in, with many to do's and a longing for the "joy" that is suppose to come with all those to do's. This book truly prepared my heart in so many ways, my Advent season will never be the same this year, and for years to come. The book led me to often feel like a detective sifting through many parts of the Bible, only to discover over and over again God's perfect plan and his saving grace for the world through Jesus. If you are one who is searching for a Christmas Joy that is deep and true, read this book, and it will lead you to a Joy that lasts. A book I will re-read every year!

Sometimes in all of our good intentions, we get wrapped up in the preparations: baking goodies, meals, traditions, gifts and commercialism that has become part of the holiday. We forget to prepare our HEARTS as well. How ideal for Ann to delight us with the Word every day of November, when the stress and the chaos is beginning to close in on us. This study is a wonderful journey back in time. With scripture and a thought provoking lesson, Ann sets the stage for the most beautfiul story ever written, the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of Christ! The study is written from a woman's perspective with our unique questions and concerns. It is sure to capture your heart, and light a flame for our Savior. You will not be the same after this book. It has changed the way I approach the holiday season. I am filled with a joy and peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ. I wish the same for you this Christmas. Please take the time for this study. You will be richly blessed.

Our women's Bible study group studied this book this year. It was a wonderful spiritual journey; however, the amount of study involved surprised us as we were expecting it to lessen our stress load - not increase it. We ended up taking 10 weeks to complete the study because there was so much spiritual food plus interesting facts about our favorite Christmas carols. The daily devotionals for December - January 6th were an added blessing.

Unfortunately, the way many of us "do Christmas" leads to exhaustion and engenders a certain dread of repeating this yearly event. Ann Stewart's book is a welcome antidote to the pressures women face during the pre-Christmas season. It guides us on an historical journey to experience the Christmas Story through the lens of its primary characters and illuminates the roots and meanings of the symbols, songs, and traditions that commemorate this historical event. It also offers many suggestions that help us to keep Christ in our Christmas and create in our homes a spirit of anticipation and excitement as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

I love the way the book is structured - 30 days of study in November followed by daily devotionals from December 1st through January 6th.

In her wonderfully clear style, Ann Stewart uses beautifully and simply stated word-pictures to give new life to the familiar old story of the first Christmas. As she reintroduces me to the the story's priciple figures, I'm attracted anew to long-forgotten details filling all of it with fresh new meaning. My wife and I are using Ann's book as our daily devotional guide leading up to Christmas. Has Christmas grown dull and cold to you? Let Ann help you Prepare Your Heart for Advent. You'll be forever glad you did.

This book is a delight because the author recognizes our desire to approach Chritmas with joy and the crazy demands placed on all of that at that busy time of the year. I love the concept of "preparing my heart" in November when things are more calm and then reaping the rewards in December. I strongly recommend this book!

Now there's a book out that helps us saturate our hearts in the real meaning of Christmas. After completing the November study and the December devotions in Preparing My Heart for Advent, you'll have a fresh appreciation of the meaning of Christmas. Then when someone asks, "Are you ready for Christmas?" you can reply with a resoundingy yes! Not because all your holiday plans and gifts are tied up in shiny ribbons, but because your heart is ready to welcome the newborn King. This is a book to reread each November and December. It would make a great gift for others, too. Let's get the buzz going about this wonderful resource that helps us prepare to celebrate a birth unlike any other.

This is the first study I've done by Ann Marie Stewart. If I could sum this study up in one word, it would be: Profound. Profoundly beautiful and deep. The subject of Advent is already a precious subject. How could it be improved upon? Yet, Ann Marie's style of writing and study is profoundly beautiful, and profoundly deep. Doctrinally correct, perfectly put, and she ties in subjects that you never anticipate but fit perfectly. This will be a repeater study for me every Christmas. It is the best gift I've ever received on any holiday beyond the greatest gift of all: the gift of salvation.

I purchased this book for my small group and was pleasently surprised. I did not expect such a deep study. Also the daily devotions in December are a great help when keeping Christ in Christmas. I did not plan very well and started it a bit late. Starts at the begining of November, so we had to combine a day to get it all done before Christmas. I will look for other books my this author.

I find that I have a more joyful anticipation of the Christmas season after reading this book than I have in a while. The readings and ideas for family activities help put the holidays back in their proper perspective. I gained new insights into Luke and the characters in the Christmas story.