Walking with Mary - Edward Sri

As my Advent reading, I chose Walking with Mary.  This book is an excellent little read.  It's only 118 pages long but it is filled with helpful, prayerful information.

The book is broken down into nine steps
Step 1 - An open heart: Mary in dialogue with God
Step 2 - A servant of the Lord: Let it be done to me
Step 3 Magnify the Lord: The humility of Mary
Step 4 - Keep and ponder: The Mother at the Manger
Step 5: Sharing in the sword: Mary's participation in her Son's suffering
Step 6: Walking in darkness: She who did not understand
Step 7: She still says yes: Mary's choice at Cana
Step 8 Total surrender, total trust: Standing at he cross of Jesus
Step 9: Persevering in faith: Mary, crowned with glory

I love that the author first presents the steps in relation to the Bible and then brings it home with application to our lives.  It really helps me 'get it'.  Another thing I love is how the book intertwines Old Testament and New Testament verses to tell the story.

This is not a book that I will read and put away but one I think I will refer to often over the course of my life.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Advent readings and wreath

This Advent, we (my family) are reading two books together.

1. Welcome Baby Jesus: Advent and Christmas Reflections for Families (Sarah Rinehard).  It is exactly what I was looking for - a way to more fully incorporate Jesus into the season and leave out the guy in the red suit.

This book is just lovely!  Each day, there is a verse from the Bible, and three small sections to read - Think, Pray, Act.  My daughter gets really excited about doing the action of the day (one day it was pray for someone who had annoyed or upset you).  After we say the prayer for that day, we light the candles on our Advent wreath. This book will definitely become part of our annual Advent traditions.  Highly recommend it!

2. Destination Bethlehem by Sharon Altman.  This is our second year reading this book and my daughter LOVES it! It is about a young boy that finds himself traveling along with the Nativity story. We read a little every night of Advent and finish it up on Christmas Eve with the birth of Jesus.  Oops, hopefully I didn't ruin it by giving away the ending ;)

Do you have any Advent books that your family reads together?  I'd love more ideas and suggestions.