“Find Peace in Advent: 4 Weeks to Worrying Less at Christmas.” By Gary Zimak. Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 2024. 160 pages. Paperback: $15.95; Kindle: $15.15; E-Book: $11.95.

      I first encountered Gary Zimak a few years back when I was looking for something a bit different to do for Lent. Happily, I came across his book “Give Up Worry for Lent!” and have been using that resource as part of my Lenten practice ever since. So, when I saw that he had written a new book, “Find Peace in Advent: 4 Weeks to Worrying Less at Christmas”, I figured that I would likely find another gem.

      I was correct. “Find Peace in Advent” is not only a way to slow down the franticness that seems inevitable during the four weeks before Christmas, but it is also a reminder that this season, like Lent, is a preparation for something much bigger than what the strictly consumer world would have us focus on.

      That something bigger is two-fold; during Advent, we remember the longing that filled the hearts of God’s chosen people as they waited for the coming of the Messiah. Although we know that the Messiah was indeed born in Bethlehem some two thousand years ago, that doesn’t mean that our waiting is over. Now we wait instead for Jesus’ return at the end of time. However, as Zimak points out in his introduction, “very few of us expect Jesus to come in glory anytime soon. It absolutely can happen, but it’s hard to become emotionally invested in that expectation.” He also notes that, more urgently perhaps, we can anticipate meeting Jesus again at the hour of our death. However, human beings, being who we are, avoid thinking of that eventuality too often. So, what can we wait for that will prompt us to action now?

      The solution to that, as he says, is simple – Christmas is the thing that we are waiting and preparing for this season. “Even if we don’t expect to die or for Jesus to come in glory anytime soon, we all know that Christmas Day (and Jesus) will arrive on December 25,” he continues. “That gives us four weeks to prepare to meet Him – either in His second coming or when we die – by becoming more like Him. Four weeks is doable…Advent is our chance to sharpen our focus on that encounter.”

      Like his book on Lent, this book about Advent is, like the four weeks mentioned above, “doable”. Nothing in it takes more than a few minutes a day and, because it is based on the Lectionary readings for the season (including the Sunday readings for years A, B, and C as well as the weekday readings, which remain the same from year to year) it is a resource that can be used for many Advents to come. Hopefully, as each year passes, the reader will find him or herself coming just that much closer to Jesus.

      The structure of the book is straightforward; the Scripture reference for each day is listed first (if the reader has the time, these can be looked up in the Bible). For those with less time, a bit of the Scripture is also excerpted before the reflection, which comes next. The reflection is brief and focuses on a meaning from the Scripture. After this time of Reflection, the reader is then invited to Respond to the challenge presented. Don’t think, however, that your response is going to be the same from year to year, or from person to person. As Zimak says, “When we read or reflect on a Bible verse, the Holy Spirit will often lead us to completely different courses of action. That’s a good thing. He really does know what we need and how we should proceed.”

      The last thing included each day is a short prayer to “put you in touch with Jesus”, as Zimak says. This little book can be an island of peace and prayer in the midst of Christmas preparation and chaos. It’s worth looking at.       

Author bio:

Gary Zimak is a Catholic speaker and the bestselling author of several books, including “Give Up Worry for Lent!” and “Let Go of Your Fear.”

He is also the host of “The Gary Zimak Show” and the podcast “Following the Truth.” He previously served as director of parish services at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church in North Wales, Pennsylvania. 

He lives in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, with his wife. They have two children.