The print version of this year’s edition of Pax Christi USA’s Advent reflection booklet is now in and shipping! Both the print and electronic versions are available in the Pax Christi USA Store.
This year’s booklet, Live Always in Joyful Anticipation: Reflections for Advent & Christmas 2022, features reflections for Sundays and Holy Days from Advent through Epiphany written by Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv, Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA. In keeping with our focus on intergenerational voices throughout this 50th anniversary year, Bishop Stowe is joined by co-authors from the Pax Christi Young Adult Caucus Leadership Team: Lauren Bailey, Creede Caldwell, Honorine Uwimana and Sr. Annie Killian, OP, with each offering their own reflections for different weekdays throughout Advent. These Advent & Christmas reflections invite readers into a contemplative appreciation of the season, rooting our work for peace and justice in the joy and challenge of awaiting, then celebrating, the birth of Jesus.
The print version is $5.00 a copy (with further discounts of 10% on orders of 10-99 or 30% for 100+).
The electronic version for your tablet, e-reade, phone or computer is $3.50 a copy.
>> Order the print version by clicking here.
>> Order the electronic version by clicking here.
NOTE: Bulk discounts of the print version are available for orders of 10-99 (10% discount) and 100+ (30% discount). Order your copies now for yourself, your parish, religious community, ministry, school, and family to assure reception in time for the start of Advent, November 27th.
Excellent for individual reflection and prayer or in small groups!
From the first Sunday of Advent, Bishop Stowe writes:
“The liturgical season of Advent is to remind us that we should live always in joyful anticipation of the coming of the Lord and the establishment of God’s reign. Rather than sleigh bells and mistletoe, the Word of God speaks about a major transformation that has already begun…
“[I]t is Isaiah, the poet, who helps us dream and imagine what the day of the Lord will be like. Isaiah will be a faithful companion in the four weeks ahead; he is not afraid to imagine the unimaginable and hope for radical transformation of our ‘business as usual’ world. Today we hear the dream of people streaming towards the mountain of the Lord’s house, with all of the effort that climbing requires, and seeking instruction. The dream of Isaiah is about the day when ‘one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor train for war again.’ That is the dream of Ukrainians for sure, the dream of Palestinians, the dream of so many around the world who want to wake up from their present nightmare of war and violence. But it needs to be our dream as well, in the most prosperous nation in the world with the largest military force.
“All I want for Christmas is… for swords to be beaten into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks. Let military budgets be spent on gardening instruments and means to produce food for a hungry world. Let Christians stop using doctrine and disciplines as weapons and learn how much hunger there is for the Word of God. Then we can truly celebrate the Word made Flesh.”