Can you believe there are only a few days left until the start of Advent.
I didn’t grow up in a traditional church that followed the liturgical year, so Advent is a relatively new concept for me. Advent is the season leading up to Christmas, beginning four Sundays before Christmas and ending on Christmas Eve. It is a time to prepare for Christmas and celebrating the birth of Jesus.
It is during this time that I want to focus my attention to Christ’s coming to this world as a baby, especially in my devotional times.
I also want to help my children focus their attention on Christ’s coming during the Advent season. We’re so inundated with the wanting of “stuff” during this season and it’s easy to let that be our focus. I really want to combat that by being intentional during the Advent season to teach them about the true reason that we celebrate Christmas.
Today I want to share with you five devotional resources for Advent.
The first three are Bible studies for you to use in your devotional times and the last two can be used as family devotions or to use in teaching your children about Christ’s coming.
1. Naptime Diaries Advent Calendars and Devotionals
This is a beautifully written devotional to use during the Advent season including twenty-five days of “hope, love, joy, peace, and purity” written by various authors. The advent calendar is a set of 25 beautiful mini-prints. You can buy the calendar on its own, the devotional on its own or buy both together. With this devotional you also get access to webpages including a teaching video, community and family questions, Advent ideas and free prints to go along with each week. Actually the date has passed to purchase these to have them before the start of Advent, but I would still encourage you to take a look at it and place your order even if it comes a few days late. Starting Monday the 24th, you’ll be able to buy the printable versions. They do this for people who missed the deadline and really don’t want to start the devotional/calendar late.
2. Hello Mornings Advent Study Power Pack
Kat Lee of Inspired to Action teamed up with Laura Williams and Shawn Groves to bring music, Bible study, family Advent readings, scripture memory passages and a printable companion journal to use during the Advent season to keep Christ your focus.
This is a study that you can do on your own AND with your family.
You can get your downloadable Advent study pack here with a donation of $5, $10, or $15.
3. Good Morning Girls Advent Study
Courtney of Women Living Well has made the Good Morning Girls Advent study from two years ago available for use this year. This study includes weekly devotions, assigned scripture reading, daily family activities, recipes and SOAP journaling pages. This is the only resource listed here that is FREE…just click here to download!
4. Truth in the Tinsel
This is an excellent resource to use with your small children! Truth in the Tinsel is an e-book that will lead you through a passage of scripture each day with a corresponding ornament craft and talking points for you and your kids.
Truth in the Tinsel was written by blogger Amanda White who had a desire for her own children to know and love Christmas, not for the gifts and trees, but for Jesus.
You can download Truth in the Tinsel for $7.99 and corresponding printable ornaments are also available for $3.99.
5. Unwrapping the Greatest Gift
This is a hardcover book for families to celebrate the advent season together written by Ann Voskamp. Each day, families can read the provided Scripture passage, engage with a specially written devotion to help children of all ages understand the Advent theme for the day, and participate in suggested activities to apply the theme.
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift is a beautifully illustrated book that can serve as a guide to recapture the sacredness of the Advent season.
I would love to hear from you if you have a favorite resource for the Advent season!
Please share in the comments below.
I would also like to gift one reader with a copy of either the Hello Mornings Advent Study Power Pack or Truth in the Tinsel e-book. Leave your comment stating which one you would prefer in the comments by Friday evening and I will choose one winner from the comments.
Tonya doering says
I would love, love, love a copy of Truth in the Tinsel to share with my little ones!
Sidnie says
The postman just dropped off our copy of Unwrapping the Greatest Gift and it’s a beautiful book! And I can’t wait to share it with the boys!