| Title:
Figures Around the Crib: Preparing for Christmas with Isaiah, John the Baptizer, Joseph and Mary Author: Rev. William F. Maestri
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In highlighting four of the principal protagonists in the Christmas story, the story of the Incarnation of the Son of God -- Isaiah who foretold his coming; John the Baptizer who prepared the way for him when at last he came; St. Joseph who accepted the responsibility for his safety, well-being and upbringing; and Mary, his mother, who remained steadfast in faith to the very end -- Father Maestri leads us through Advent in a journey that is at once short and intense. In this work, each day of Advent is directed by one of these guides to the crib of Christ. As we meditate on what they have to show us, we begin to recognize how near at hand He is to us right now, how in the midst of our everyday lives, the Word continues to be born again so that we might be born anew. |
The author of more than a dozen Alba House books and an equal number of Alba House audio and video
tapes, Father William F. Maestri is a regular columnist for the New
Orleans Archdiocesan newspaper, the Clarion Herald, and a collaborator on the Focus
Worldwide TV Network. A guest lecturer at Pepperdine University when he wrote these pages, Father
Maestri finds time in his busy schedule to give retreats and attend to his pastoral duties at St.
Pius X church in New Orleans.
Reviews"This book can lead us through Advent in a journey we have all made many times before, yet which intensely absorbs us anew each year. Each day of Advent becomes more meaningful from the perspective of the four characters by which Maestri has chosen to lead us. As we meditate on what each of them has to offer us, we begin to realize how 'the Word' is born again so that we also might be made new. Isaiah's words inspire us to meditate during the first week of Advent and John the Baptist gives us food for thought for the second week. Joseph and Mary inspire us to prayer during the last two weeks. Maestri uses each character to help us find the way to the crib of Christmas. The format for each day of mediation is the same throughout the book: There is a short introduction or commentary on relevant Scripture passages. This is followed by a prayer and the author offers us some questions for meditation and reflection. Here is a wonderful pre-Christimas gift to yourself or others which will guide/help you through Advent to truly realize the deep significance of Christmas." --Arnold Rzepecki in Catholic Library World, March 2002 "Father William F. Maestri of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans has written a devotional book of some erudition, Figures Around the Crib: Preparing for Christmas with Isaiah, John the Baptizer, Joseph, and Mary. It contains twenty-five meditations of the key biblical figures of the season of Advent, each about five pages in length. I found the book insightful. It could easily serve the thoughtful priest as an aid to his prayer life and his preaching in this holy season." --Rev. Don Piaro in "About Books," The Priest, December 2001 "Preparation for Christmas brings thoughts of gifts. Father William Maestri reminds us that 'Jesus is the ultimate gift of God to the entire human family. He is the human face of God's compassionate love.' In this work Maestri, author and parish priest, invites the reader to journey to Bethlehem and the crib and there to ponder the wonders of God's love incarnate in Jesus. As guides for this journey he takes the central figures of the Scripture readings associated with Advent; the prophet Isaiah, John the Baptizer, Joseph, and Mary. He devotes roughly a week of meditations to each of these key figures, showing how they can help us unlock the wonders of the gift of God incarnate. The journey to the crib is not a sentimental one but a journey that challenges and confronts us in our daily living of the good news of Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah challenged the people of his day to reform their lives in the light of God's holiness. He also brought a message of comfort and hope to a people ravaged by war and exile. Likewise, John the Baptizer's message and life challenged the people of his day. Both of these messengers and their messages find echoes in our time and place. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, offers us an example of trusting faith and of lived faith in action. Mary, the true disciple, gives us a life of trustful obedience in action balanced with a contemplative approach to all that took place in her life. In the hectic pace that leads to our celebration of Christmas, this book, used on a daily basis, would be a welcome companion. It can help us begin to hear and see and ponder the great gift that comes to us 'wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger' (Lk 2:12)." --Arthur Byrne, C.Ss.R. in Liguorian, December 2001 "Preparing for Christmas: Using the words of the prophet Isaiah, and the actions of John the Baptist, St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother, Fr. William F. Maestri explores the Figures Around the Crib in daily reflections during Advent. Each figure provides a week's worth of meditations. For each day during Advent (including Christmas Day) there are biblical readings, daily prayers and thoughtful questions to ponder during a quiet time of reflection in three or four easy-to-read pages. --Crux of the News, October 7, 2001
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