It’s almost Advent time – a time of reflection, anticipation, and preparation. This time of year invites us to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Christ’s birth so we will actively remember the hope, peace, joy, and love that He brings into our lives.
There are so many Advent resources designed to help us remember the true meaning of Christmas – so many that it can be hard to narrow down. Here are a few of our favorites:
Giving Manger (preschool, young elementary)
The Giving Manger helps families shift the focus of Christmas back to giving. Every time a family member does something kind for someone else, they get to place a piece of straw in the manger. On Christmas Day, the Baby is placed in the manger filled with service and love. As your family serves one another and others, you’ll find your hearts + home have more of the kind of joy only Jesus offers us.
Tiny Theologians ABCs of Christmas Cards (elementary)
This set of ABC Cards helps your kids understand what the holiday season is all about: Jesus! With simple and concise definitions on each card and gospel-centered conversation prompts, you and your family can make the month of December all about Jesus. [From Michelle: we keep these in our car. Whether we’re headed out to explore Christmas lights or shopping for gifts, I find that taking time for a card or two is an awesome reset for ALL of us – not just the kids.]
Advent Blocks The King is Coming! (all ages)
A wood box and hardback book version of Advent Blocks. Meant to be kept and used as a tradition for years to come. The Traditions Set of Advent Blocks comes with:
- 27 – 1.5 inch beech blocks with rounded edges (in full color or white and gold)
- Hardback version of The King Is Coming, our 25-day guide, with a red placekeeping ribbon
- Natural wood finish, sliding top wood box
The daily devotions do an amazing job of showing how the Old Testament points to Jesus. Even if your family is familiar with the stories, it may help you to see it from the perspective of the story of redemption God had planned from the beginning.
Come, Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp
This year, don’t let Christmas sneak up on you again. The wonder and awe of the Christmas season can easily get overshadowed by lights, tinsel, bows, and paper―not to mention last-minute trips to the mall and visits to the in-laws. In all the hustle and bustle, we often lose sight of what’s most important. This book of daily readings for the month of December will help you slow down, prepare your heart, and focus on what matters most: adoring our Savior, Jesus.
Joy To The World: Daily Readings for Advent by Charles H. Spurgeon
There’s something to be said about reading the words of people who loved Jesus during a different generation that shows how God’s timeless truth transcends what’s happening in culture. If that’s what you’re craving, take five minutes each day and let Charles Spurgeon warm your heart with joy that can only be found in the good news of Jesus Christ. Slow down this advent and reflect on the birth of Jesus with this 25-day advent devotional guide.
Good News, Great Joy – An Advent Study on the Power and Perfection of Jesus by Daily Grace Co.
Have you ever wondered why the shepherds left behind their flocks that night to visit a baby in Bethlehem? Why did the magi travel hundreds of miles for weeks on end to visit a newborn baby? They’d been waiting for this day. The day when the promised prophet, the perfect priest, the king of kings, and their Messiah would be born.
Through Good News, Great Joy you will:
- Gain an understanding of the priesthood and see how Jesus is God’s perfect revelation.
- Learn why Israel needed priests and how Jesus is our Great High Priest.
- See why Israel so eagerly anticipated a king and how Jesus is the King of Kings.
- Discover the hope of the Messiah
Michelle and Somer were on the Daily Grace Podcast chatting through women and work. Listen here. We love the ladies behind Daily Grace Co.!
Gifts of Grace: 25 Advent Devotions by Jared C. Wilson
Just as with opening the doors of an Advent calendar day by day, this Advent devotional will build your anticipation for Christmas so that you can fully absorb and enjoy its central gift Jesus Christ. I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s the one that I picked for this year because of something I read online in the introduction:
“My prayer for you is that examining the diamond of the gospel facet by facet for the next 24 days will find you on Day 25 more awestruck and joy-filled about the glory of Christ our Lord. It is only by beholding Christ’s glory, in fact, that we can be made like him (2 Corinthians 3:18).”
BONUS: It won’t carry you through the entire month of December, but we’ve written a 10-Day Advent plan on YouVersion: 10 Days of Christmas Truths to Live All Year. From King Herod to the shepherds, Mary and Joseph, to the wise men and Zechariah, there is much to learn from the events surrounding the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Over 10 days, let’s study truths together from the Christmas story we should live all year long.
We’re praying our hearts will be filled with anticipation and gratitude for the coming of our Savior! From our homes to yours – we’re right here with you.
