Is your family getting ready for Advent? Loosely defined, Advent is the period of time leading up to Christmas when we commemorate Christ’s first coming and anticipate His second coming. And what better way to do so than by making Bible study and worship part of your family tradition? Here are some awesome Advent resources for young and old alike. Most of them are free, but the ones that aren’t, I’ve marked with a 💰.
December Advent!– Here’s an advent calendar, craft, and devotional all rolled into one! Naomi’s Table is a women’s Bible study resource that I highly recommend for sound doctrine and right handling of God’s word. Have a listen to their daily Advent podcasts and make the Advent calendar that goes with them!
Need a good Advent playlist? I’ve created one on YouTube. Your favorite Advent (not Christmas) song isn’t included? Leave a comment and I’ll add it if appropriate.
The Coming of the King– “For most of us, Advent is synonymous with Christmas. After all, don’t our Advent calendars count down to December 25th? Isn’t Advent a time to think about the birth of the baby in the manger, the angels and the shepherd? It certainly is. Advent means the coming of the special baby who was laid in a manger in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. But J.C. Ryle would also remind people of the ‘Second Advent’ when Jesus will come again. On that day, Jesus will return to our world, not as a baby but as the unmistakable King of kings and Lord of lords.” Twenty-five readings for Advent, by J.C. Ryle.💰
The Word Became Flesh– Make this album part of your family worship time, or just enjoy listening as you go about your day. R.C. Sproul narrates nineteen theologically rich, beautifully orchestrated and sung hymns and worship songs. Also available on Amazon Music, Apple Music, and on CD.
Here’s a different kind of Advent calendar that you and your kids can create together. The Names of Jesus Advent Chain is a 25 link paper chain that you create from a free printable. Each day, remove one link, look up the Scripture passage and discuss what that day’s name of Jesus means.
Advent Guide– “I made this 10-day Advent Guide specifically with busy families in mind…I wanted to keep things simple and focused mainly on worship, while also allowing time for a few of the very best Christmas picture books and a couple of fun Christmas traditions. You can start this guide at any time during advent,…and you don’t have to do it every single day in order to get through the whole guide. It only takes ten days.” Poetry, music, art, crafts, recipes, and more! Check out this Advent guide for busy families from Becky Aniol.
Hallelujah: Cultivating Advent Traditions With Handel’s Messiah– Love Handel’s Messiah? How about incorporating it into your observance of Advent? “With Hallelujah: Cultivating Advent Traditions With Handel’s Messiah, Cindy Rollins leads the way in building a rich Advent tradition for you and your family. Inside you will find: weekly Scripture passages, hymns, and poems, daily Messiah listening schedule with background information…Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany recipes…” and more!💰
Are you super crafty? Try your hand at this cozy Advent candle decoration. Here’s a list of materials you’ll need, or just substitute a candle, ornaments, ribbon, play dough, and greenery you have on hand around the house. (If you decide to tackle this one, send me a picture of your creation to share on my social media pages!)
Advent Bible Reading Plan for 20221– How about a family Bible reading plan for Advent? You can find two here, plus some fun facts about the history and tradition of Advent. One of the plans runs December 1-24. The other uses the traditional Advent schedule, this year, November 27 – December 24. You can also get a free, printable Advent banner and the plans in a printable PDF format if you choose to subscribe to the email list of this site.
1(The link above is provided only for the Bible reading plans.)
Names of Jesus Advent Calendar– These lovely cards highlighting the various names of Jesus could be a charming, interactive addition to your family’s Advent traditions. “I was tired of not having a meaningful calendar to use with my family during Advent. So I designed the Names of Jesus Advent calendar. I realized that going through Jesus’ names is a unique and interesting way to teach my kids more about Jesus’ life and character.”💰
The Magnificat– “Is Christmas really that important? Does the story of Christ’s birth really matter? In this sermon on Luke 1:46–55 titled “The Magnificat 1,” Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones preaches of the true significance of Christmas. Christmas is not simply to warm hearts, nor only to produce a cheerful attitude. Christmas is a time when believers in Jesus Christ must magnify the Lord their God. Through an explanation of ‘The Magnificat’ in Luke’s passage, Dr. Lloyd-Jones aids listeners with a rich and theologically profound explanation of Mary’s song of praise upon learning she is pregnant with Jesus.” Listen in to this wonderful three part sermon series by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Come, Lord Jesus– Explore this super Advent devotion with activities that Julie and her husband created for their sons. “…beginning December 1 we set aside time each day to open the pages of Scripture and read about a different person in the lineage of Christ…We also sing a corresponding hymn and listen to a section of Handel’s Messiah. To help tie it all together for young minds we put a tiny object representing each of the people we are reading about in a numbered envelope… Perhaps you too, would like to break through the distracting decorations, shopping sprees, and holiday havoc and join us in celebrating Christ’s first coming by looking forward to His second…” Devos and candles and coloring pages, oh my! (Be sure to click all the headings at the top of the page for all the devotions, materials, and instructions.)
Michelle Lesley 