This Sunday will be the first Sunday of Advent. Advent (which means ‘arrival’) is the time of the year that Christians around the world intentionally remember the birth of Jesus. As we approach it, we hope that you also are thinking about how you (and your families) will be living into the season well.
We want to encourage and empower you to spend time meditating on God’s word, and specifically remembering the miracle of the incarnation of Jesus over the next several weeks. This is a great opportunity for you to leverage what the world is throwing at you about Christmas, and use it as fuel to remember and celebrate the birth of our King Jesus.
If you are not sure what to do, below are some readings and traditions used by others, that we would encourage you to try this year.
Advent Resources
For Families with Young Children:
“Advent Readings for the Very Young” — Daily readings by Betsy Kirk using the Playmobile nativity scene.
Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands (e-book)
Heart Felt Truths Advent Calendar — Basic instructions and pattern to cut-out and build a nativity scene
All is Bright: A Devotional Journey to Color Your Way Through Christmas by Nancy Guthrie
Family Readings:
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room: Daily Family Devotions for Advent by Nancy Guthrie
Prepare Him Room by Marty Machowski (3-4 weekly lessons and activities)
The Expected One: Anticipating All of Jesus in the Advent by Scott James (Daily reading)
Advent — Download a free Advent Guide PDF from The Village Church
For the Adults (Daily Readings):
The Dawning of Indestructible Joy Daily Readings for Advent by John Piper (free download at Desiring God)
Good News of Great Joy Daily Readings for Advent by John Piper (free download at Desiring God)
Counting the Days, Lighting the Candles by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thomson (includes weekly family activities)
Waiting Here for You by Louie Giglio
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas, edited by Nancy Guthrie with 22 contributors
The One True Story: Daily Readings for Advent from Genesis to Jesus by Tim Chester
The One True Light: Daily Advent Readings from the Gospel of John by Tim Chester
For the Adults (Non-daily Reading):
Advent — Download a free Advent Guide PDF from The Village Church
Hidden Christmas, by Time Keller (8 chapter book)
Child in the Manger by Sinclair B. Ferguson 10 chapters