Three Advent Journals for a Slower, Holier December
A cozy guide to Adore, Prepare Your Heart, and Rejoice! for Catholic women who want Advent to feel different this year.
Advent begins on Sunday, November 29, and the world is already shouting about Christmas. Shopping lists, party invitations, a full calendar. And somewhere underneath it all, the Church is whispering: slow down. Wait. Prepare.
This now-viral clip from @joshpray on Instagram and TikTok explains the meaning of the season of Advent humorously. Check it out here
In our home, Advent begins when we bring out the Advent wreath. Each week, we light a new candle and pray along with Dynamic Catholic’s Advent wreath prayers, which offer a short reflection and a prayer for every candle. On Gaudete Sunday, my husband and I wear rose pink, a small reminder of the joy that is coming even while we wait. Every year, we also choose a guided journal or a book about Jesus’ birth to prepare our hearts for Christmas. These traditions help us grow in knowledge of the Lord and draw closer to His heart, as we strive, together, to become saints.
If you want Advent to feel like Advent this year, a guided journal is one of the simplest ways to start. Ten quiet minutes a day, a Scripture passage, a short reflection, and space to write what God stirs in you. No pressure to be perfect.
Here are three Catholic Advent books I’m reaching for, and how to choose the one that fits your season.
1. Adore: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation
By Fr. John Burns · Ave Maria Press · 128 pages · illustrated by Valerie Delgado
Adore invites you to slow down and remember who this season is really about. Each week follows a theme: vigilance, preparation, nearness, and Emmanuel. Each day you get a short Scripture passage, a brief reflection, a question to ponder, and room to journal your answer. There are free weekly companion videos, too.
Best for: first-time Advent journalers, and anyone who wants a short daily rhythm that fits a busy December.
[Amazon link: Adore]
2. Prepare Your Heart: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation
By Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR · Ave Maria Press · 144 pages · art by Valerie Delgado
This one walks you through Advent alongside the Holy Family and the saints, with a Franciscan flavor. It begins with the way of Nazareth and ends with the way of Mary, with Joseph along the way. Each day includes a meditation on a Scripture passage, reflection questions, a prayer, and space to write. Free weekly videos and a leader’s guide are available, so it works beautifully for a family, a small group, or a parish.
I loved this one because it really makes you ponder what really matters in life: the family and how important it is to recognize and open our own hearts to healing and serving one another.
And for my Spanish-speaking sisters: the book, videos, and guides are available in Spanish, too.
Best for: families, small groups, and anyone who wants to pray Advent alongside others, in English or Spanish.
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[Amazon link: Prepare Your Heart]
3. Rejoice! Advent Meditations
By Fr. Mark Toups · Ascension Press · illustrated by Mike Moyers
Rejoice! is a whole series, so there’s an edition for how you like to pray: Advent meditations with Mary, with Joseph, with the Holy Family, or an Advent pilgrimage through the Sunday Scriptures. Each one pairs guided daily meditations with journaling space, and each week has original sacred art and a companion video. A small Louisiana note: Fr. Toups is a native of Houma, so this one comes from our own backyard.
Best for: the woman who wants a deeper, more contemplative Advent, and who wants to walk it with Mary, Joseph, or the Scriptures.
[Amazon link: Rejoice!]
Which one is yours?
- Short on time, new to journaling? Start with Adore.
- Praying with your family, a group, or in Spanish? Choose Prepare Your Heart.
- Want to walk with Mary and Joseph through the Scriptures? Choose Rejoice!
- Can’t decide? Pick the one that makes you want to sit down and open it. You’ll use that one.
Make it a cozy ritual
A journal works best when it has a place. A few ideas:
- Choose one corner of your home and make it your Advent prayer spot. Keep your Advent wreath and the book next to it ready to be picked up every day.
- Pick one time of day and protect it. Ten minutes with coffee before the house wakes up is enough.
- Keep the pen where you can see it.
- If you miss a day, just begin where you are. Advent isn’t a countdown to win. It’s an invitation to wait with hope.
One last thing: You don’t need a perfect Advent. You need a quiet one, with a few honest minutes with God each day and a heart that’s ready to be surprised at Christmas.
Which book are you starting with? Tell me in the comments. I read every one. 🤍
Disclosure: some links below are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
If this was helpful, I share more faith, books, and waiting-season encouragement at Still & Chosen on TikTok: @stillandchosen
