Advent Unhurried: Daily Devotions for a Season of Wonder and Stillness by Micha Boyett

ABOUT THE BOOK

Rediscover a More Contemplative Path Toward Christmas

From Sarah Bessey, New York Times bestselling author of A Rhythm of Prayer, on Micha Boyett's previous book: "I absolutely love this book." Now Boyett brings that same tender, unflinching honesty to Advent Unhurried, a collection of twenty-eight daily reflections offering rest, hope, and a slower path to Christmas.

It's no secret that the holiday season arrives overscheduled and oversentimental, pressuring us toward a manufactured cheer long before we're ready for it. Advent has always resisted that pace--a season built for waiting, not rushing, for sitting with longing before we arrive at joy. Honoring that older, slower tradition in daily form, this devotional

● integrates poems, prayers, practices, and prose;

● goes beyond the easy sentimentality of the holiday season; and

● features a beautiful design and custom illustrations throughout.

If you feel caught between sorrow and joy, doubt and faith, this book gives you permission: carrying more questions than certainty is still a faithful way to wait. With warmth and honesty, Boyett explores the witness of Mary, who models what it means to say yes to love even when faith is hard to come by.

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS.....

Even though I am always happy learning about a new Advent devotional, I have mixed feelings about Advent Unhurried. I love that its primary focus is Mary, the mother of Jesus, and I like that the four weeks of devotions focus on the traditional Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. I also find it intriguing that author MIcha Boyett uses prose, poetry, reflections, and step-by-step practices to guide us during this time. The poems are enjoyable but I consider some of the devotions very long and wordy. I fear that some readers will find them too time-consuming, even though this book was written to provide a relaxed Advent experience.

Posting a timely review created a need to browse this book quickly but I plan to reread it as the author intended. I want to slow down, savor the mystery, and fully discover the wonders of Advent!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Micha Boyett is a blogger, wife, and mom with a Masters of Fine Arts in Poetry degree from Syracuse University. A former youth minister, she's passionate about monasticism and ancient Christian spiritual practices and how they inform the contemporary life of faith. Boyett and her husband live in San Francisco with their two boys.

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Matriarchs: What the Women of Genesis Teach Us About Our Part in God's Story by Paige Allen

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Women's Bible Study on Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel--and What They Still Teach Us About Living Our Calling

Matriarchs is a Bible study by Paige Allen--executive pastor, MDiv graduate, and author of He Knows Your Name--that examines the lives of the four Matriarchs of Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel. Drawing on these women's stories alongside her own, Allen makes the case that women have always been central to how God's promises are fulfilled on earth--not secondary characters, but essential co-authors of the story.

Written for women who sense a calling they haven't yet acted on--a business, a ministry, a family legacy, a dream they keep setting aside--this study explores what the Matriarchs of Genesis can teach women today about fear, faith, and following through. Inside you'll

● In-depth study of four Genesis women -- Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel, explored through both biblical scholarship and personal storytelling
● Bible study elements throughout -- structured questions for personal reflection or group discussion, designed for women's small groups, church classes, or independent study
● Six free video teachings by Paige Allen -- accessible at PaigeAllen.net, each one expanding on what she has learned from the mothers of the faith, making this ideal for groups who want a richer, led experience
● Honest, memoir-style teaching -- Allen pairs biblical insight with her own stories of audacious faith and hard-won failure, making the content accessible and deeply personal
● Practical frameworks for calling -- how to embrace God's promises, wait well under uncertainty, lean into pain, nurture a God-given dream, and release it into the world

What sets Matriarchs apart from other women's Bible studies on Genesis is its dual rigorous enough to satisfy serious students of Scripture, personal enough to feel like a conversation with a trusted pastor. Allen doesn't sanitize these women--she shows them scheming, despairing, and doubting--and argues that their very humanity is what makes them such reliable guides for women navigating the same terrain today.

If you're ready to see your own role in God's story more clearly--and find the courage to step into it--Matriarchs is where to start.

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS.....

A matriarch is described as "a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants". Author Paige Allen shares the lives of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah, in an intriguing exploration of the four matriarchs introduced in Genesis. They experienced doubts and trials during their faith journeys, and their responses set the standard for all of us who now follow. Our faith has been patterned because they persevered in answering God's calling!

Allen is both encouraging and enlightening! Reading her thoughts is like a personal conversation, and her total transparency invites readers to explore their own struggles. She uses five stages to list her observations and ends each stage with questions that spurred my thinking. I especially appreciated that there's ample space to jot down my thoughts!

This book is a powerful reminder that we women are a special part of God's plan. Matriarchs is a wonderful resource for personal use and it would also be perfect for a women's bible group!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paige Allen is a wife, mother, pastor, speaker, and podcast host. She’s passionate about opening the door for others to have ah-ha moments with Scripture, and she believes our stories have the power to transform lives. Paige serves as executive pastor at a multi-site church in Texas, and she holds an M.Div. from The King’s University. Paige is a fan of vanilla lattes, a good book, and West Texas sunsets. 

Learn more at https://www.paigeallen.net/

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