Advent 2015 Reading Plan Preparing for the Season

Advent 2015 Reading Plan

I have been thinking about the season of advent that begins tomorrow, Sunday November 29th 2015. It is the beginning of the liturgical year, and we have many beginnings each year. For me having spent 20 years in university September is often when I think of a new year. And for many January first the beginning of the calendar year is a new beginning. But having been out of school for 5 years now, I am slowly slipping away from September. This year Advent really feels like a new beginning. It is a time to prepare for the birth of Jesus, a time to prepare and be working on myself. As I have been thinking about this season over the last few weeks I have decided what resources I would use this year. There is an amazing resource by Felix Just SJ available at Catholic-resources.org. It has an amazing list of resources at the bottom of the article. But I have narrowed down my list for the season to the following:

Best Advent Ever - Matthew Kelly
The Dynamic Catholic Institute

This is a series of daily messages and videos delivered directly into your mailbox. Last year I did the lent series and really got a lot out of it so I am looking forward to the advent messages again this year.

Rediscover Advent
Matthew Kelly
St. Anthony Messenger Press
ISBN 9781616361648
eISBN 9781616361648

I am using the eBook version of this book. Each day has a separate meditation, The meditations all start with a biblical passage, followed by a reflection, a meditation followed by a prayer. I have really become a fan of Kelly's writings over the last few years look forward to these reading.

Welcome Baby Jesus
Sarah A. Reinhard
Liguori Publications
ISBN 9780764819971

This is the book I have decided to incorporate into my reading with my children. Each day is broken down into three sections based on that reading. They Are Think, Act and Pray. Having read the book Sarah edited this year, Word by Word: Slowing Down with the Hail Mary I am really looking forward to her insights and reflections for the kids.

In Conversation With GodVolume #1: Advent and Christmastide
Francis Fernandez
ISBN 0906138205
Scepter Press
ISBN 0906138191

I love this series, It is intensive 6 pages for each day of the year a 2 volumes of special feasts with 6 pages each for those. I have read through this series a few times and now it is available in eBook formats which make it much easier and portable. This series was originally published in Spanish and was completed in January 1991; the English translation was completed in 1993. It has been immensely popular since they first started coming out in1988. They are published around the world, and have helped thousands of readers in enriching their spiritual lives. You can read my full review of this book here.

Those are the resources I am using this year. How are you preparing for the coming of Christ Jesus?

Related Articles:
Advent Reading 2012
Thinking About Lent 2015