Book Reviews and More: Prepare Him Room Advent Family Devotions

Prepare Him Room:

Advent Family Devotions

Amy Welborn

Creative Communications for the Parish

eISBN 9781682791110

ASIN B00N54OL9E

Prepare Him Room Advent Family Devotions - Amy Welborn

I first read this volume exactly a decade ago. I read it with my three children, But back then I was not reviewing everything I read, and after reading and reviewing Wonders of His Love Family Devotions and Activities for Advent, a more recent offering from Welborn, I decided to go back and revisit this volume because ir was remembered so fondly. So I read it over a few days.

I picked up this volume for two reasons. The first it was by Amy Welborn, Wonders of His Love Family Devotions and Activities for Advent, and I have loved everything I have read from her masterful pen. And the second I was looking for a few new books for Advent reading in 2025 I picked it up a week before Advent was to start and intended to read the introduction. I really enjoyed revisiting this volume. I did not highlight anything when I first read it, but I did this time through. It is a great little volume. Concise reflections, theologically sound, and very moving.

The description of this volume is:

“Like the rest of us, families make their way toward Christmas in a world that is already celebrating, if not the coming of Christ, at least the season of parties and gift-giving. How do we focus on Jesus and the Incarnation amid the busy-ness of getting ready for December 25? Author Amy Welborn offers families simple ways to find the gospel message in what is going on all around them, even in preparations that can get hectic at times. These brief but pointed devotions will keep a family centered on what is most important not only at this time of the year, but every day.”

I worked through the digital edition of the book, and I am uncertain if there were ever physical booklets editions. The chapters in the volume are:

How to Use This Booklet

First Sunday of Advent

Monday, First Week of Advent

Tuesday, First Week of Advent

Wednesday, First Week of Advent

Thursday, First Week of Advent

Friday, First Week of Advent

Saturday, First Week of Advent

Second Sunday of Advent

Monday, Second Week of Advent

Tuesday, Second Week of Advent

Wednesday, Second Week of Advent

Thursday, Second Week of Advent

Friday, Second Week of Advent

Saturday, Second Week of Advent

Third Sunday of Advent

Monday, Third Week of Advent

Tuesday, Third Week of Advent

Wednesday, Third Week of Advent

Thursday, Third Week of Advent

Friday, Third Week of Advent

Saturday, Third Week of Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Monday, Fourth Week of Advent

Tuesday, Fourth Week of Advent

Wednesday, Fourth Week of Advent

Thursday Fourth Week of Advent

Friday, Fourth Week of Advent

Saturday, Fourth Week of Advent

Afterward

Each day follows the same format, A bible verse, a short reader section followed by an all sections, the main reflection, a reader section and a final response. The first time we worked through this my children and I took turns reading days. It was a stretch for the youngest but well worth the effort.. A sample day is:

“Friday, Second Week of Advent

Time to Listen

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9

Reader: Lord, we praise you.

All: We are listening.

A day is like a thousand years? Sounds like what it feels like to wait for Christmas to come!

Perhaps you’re even keeping track of that time with an Advent or countdown calendar. At the beginning of the season, Christmas may have seemed so far away. But it’s coming. It really is!

It’s good to have time to prepare for Jesus. We can think about where we especially need Jesus’ mercy. Every day we can listen more carefully, put aside our selfishness and take the Lord’s loving hand, always moving forward.

Reader: Jesus, we are waiting patiently.

All: Come, Lord Jesus.”

I highlighted a number of sections my second time through this volume, some of them are:

“Advent begins. The light is shining. Let’s stay awake, watching for an ever-brightening light.”

“When we send a greeting, we open our hearts a little bit more to love. We open our hearts, we share, we reach out. Even for just a moment, we choose peace. God invited us to share in his peace through prophets like Isaiah. Above all, he gives us peace in Jesus.”

“If we let Jesus be our solid rock every day, we’ll see signs of him, even in the busy times. Why are we gathering at a party or social? To celebrate him. Why are we shopping? To share love, which comes from him. Why are we singing? To praise him.”

“We seek him in the quiet times, that’s true. And we need more of that! But if we just wait for the quiet, what hints and signs might we miss along the way?”

“Jesus, we hear your merciful words and reach for your healing touch.”

“Jesus, every person I see and meet needs you and is loved by you.”

“But the joy of Jesus’ coming happened in the middle of hard times too. There was fear, there were questions, and there was great risk. So in preparing to welcome Jesus, we listen carefully, in happy times and hard times. We ponder his birth, reflect on his teaching and try to be like him, finding joy in real life, peace in suffering and reaching out to the lost.”

“We all—big and small—have something new to learn about God’s mercy, every day of our lives.”

“Jesus, you are the Word made flesh. Teach us. We are ready to learn.”

“Surprises are a delight. So be ready. God has done it before, and he just might do it again in your own heart. Are you ready and willing to be surprised?”

I hope that sample day and those quotes give you a feel for this volume. This was a book I am very thankful I have worked through years ago when my children were younger, and again this year for personal reflection. I really appreciated many of the reflections and almost all the prayers at the ends of specific days.

This is an excellent Advent resource, a great volume. I can easily recommend it. This is a wonderful volume that will inspire and challenge. I encourage you to pick it up and give it a try!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Amy Welborn: